Conversation on Disability and Politics

I was speaking with someone who has 25 years as a disability case worker for Social Security. This person mentioned that at the beginning of every Republican adminstration, the organization staffs up to brace for the onslaught of disability applications that will follow from people who are poor.

"But why would disability go up?"

"Because there will be fewer jobs at the lower end and disability gives extended benefits."

"I'd think that such a big change in the number of unemployed would be noticeable."

"They aren't unemployed."

"But they don't have jobs? How are they not unemployed?"

"It's all part of how unemployment is counted. If you're not looking for work or are disabled, then you're not unemployed."

"Let me get this straight. The number of jobs drops which pushes people who can't find work into looking for disability if it's remotely possible. But the minute this happens, they are no longer unemployed."

"That's it. The unemployment figures are garbage."

"And then Social Security immediately hires?"

"Nope. The administration always puts on a freeze at the start, but then they find a way to hire a few months later because there aren't enough people to do the work."

It makes me wonder two things: how many unemployed people there really are, and what a real pro-business politician might look like. I suspect the person would be less solicitous of business wish lists and more interested in creating conditions that would encourage fundamentally strong business - with employment up and down the scale.