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And so continues the attitude of "why should I take care to keep myself healthy when the federal government will give me checks to be unhealthy"?

Nevermind that it's a sure path to continuing the cycle of poverty for one's family and their kids' families. Sigh.

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Did you read the whole thing? The system pulls the rug out from under people the moment they start making progress. The scaling that exists is too abrupt.

The federal government disability program pulls the rug out from under people the moment they start making progress? I read the whole thing but missed that part of the reporting. Maybe I read it wrong. Where is it?

The reforms were meant to encourage people to work their way out of welfare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare-to-work

This reflects that:

"Jahleel's mom wants him to do well in school. That is absolutely clear. But her livelihood depends on Jahleel struggling in school. This tension only increases as kids get older. One mother told me her teenage son wanted to work, but she didn't want him to get a job because if he did, the family would lose its disability check."

I see. It is unfortunate all around.

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