Everyone Should Have a Right to a Job

Reader comment on: Disability Nation

Submitted by Eugene Patrick Devany (United States), May 18, 2013 11:29

I don't blame people who, with the help of doctors and lawyers, are declared not likely to be able to work in the private sector. I blame the government system that fails to give them jobs and training and internships.

We have a tax code that unnecessarily increases rates by $1.2 trillion (7.5% of GDP) so that most of it can be given to rich people in the form of tax expenditures (credits, deductions, special rates, deferrals and exemptions). The so-called charitable deduction actually pays rich people about $50 billion a year to take several hundred billion in business investments (which create jobs) and give it to public charities which don't even pay taxes. In 2000 the nonprofits had twice the wealth of the poor and lower middle class and now the nonprofits have eight times the wealth of half the country. This $50 billion tax incentive destroys private sector jobs and makes universities and hospitals lavishly wealthy (just look at the top salaries).

Consider that $50 billion (saved by eliminating the charitable deduction) could create 2,500,000 jobs and internships (at below private sector rates) with local governments and public charities that actually are willing to help the poor and hard to employ. Perhaps half the people now receiving Social Security Disability could perform meaningful work if their needs and abilities were accommodated. Inner city teens, ex-convicts, new collage graduates, persons who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, etc. should be able to get a job to show their abilities rather than encouraged to exaggerate their disabilities. Most will be able to transition into the private sector as the economy improves. In the U.S. there should be a right to a job and hope for those in need.


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Title By Date
Not invented in America [67 words]Robert MarchenoirMay 19, 2013 18:32
⇒ Everyone Should Have a Right to a Job [287 words]Eugene Patrick DevanyMay 18, 2013 11:29
What if we returned funding disability responsibility to the 50 states? [158 words]Mark MIchaelMay 18, 2013 06:57
What if we returned funding disability responsibility to the 50 states? [158 words]Mark MIchaelMay 17, 2013 23:13
Safety net--at whose expense? [66 words]Harry BinswangerMay 17, 2013 20:15
How many of these folks hired the lawers who advertise on TV [13 words]LyleMay 17, 2013 13:38

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