VLVL2 (1) Zoyd's WORK

[jbor]

But isn't Zoyd falsely claiming these "mental-disability" benefits? He isn't
mentally unfit for work at all. I understand the point you are making when
you say that Zoyd "works" for the government, but "work" in this sense isn't
synonymous with employment. Zoyd plays along with a corrupt bureaucratic
system to get his fortnightly dole cheque.

So, in a way, hasn't Zoyd been abusing the welfare system to the detriment
of those who honestly are mentally-unfit to work? Particularly in the
context of the cutbacks you mention, and that we see in the novel later on.
It seems to me that there is an intrinsic ambivalence in this opening
scenario depicting how Zoyd exploits the government welfare system.

best


on 15/7/03 10:22 PM, Terrance wrote:

> OK, but Zoyd works for the government.
> 
> More importantly, disability and unemployment are **not** the same
> thing. 
> 
> Like unemployment insurance, Workers pay into an insurance fund and if
> they become disabled, they can collect a benefit. The government merely
> collects and disburses the money -- much like a private insurance
> company would. 
> 
> A little history:
> 
> Disability was not part of the the 1935 SS Act, but is a program that
> began in  the 1950's. It was one of LBJ's babies. The great deal maker
> got it passed, but making great deals requires compromise.
> 
> Reagan wanted to gut it.
> 
> The Congress didn't.
> 
> Reagan used his **presidential powers**  to gut it. Putting thousands
> upon thousands of mentally disabled people out on streets.
> 
> 
> http://www.ragged-edge-mag.com/0302/0302ft5.html
>