Sometimes I feel like something is so stupid and so wasteful, I just have to sing about it. I know that sounds strange and slightly feminine, but that’s how I felt when I read a certain news article last week. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so check out my newest music video below and then I’ll tell you more:
The Lazy Song Parody – Adult Baby
An Adult Baby is Spending Your Tax Dollars
The news article that inspired me to record this music video was published last week at the Washington Post. It tells the story of Stanley Thornton and how one senator questioned why he is receiving SSI (social security benefits) for being “disabled”.
Here are some facts about Stanley:
- He has adult skills such as carpentry and managing a website
- He held a job as a security guard for over a year
- Despite these abilities, he has been deemed “disabled” by the Social Security Administration and gets paid for his disability.
- His nurse also gets paid from the Social Security Administration for taking care of him
If you want to watch to full National Geographic story on Stanley, you can watch the full video here.
While Stanley’s lifestyle choice is disappointing to me, he has the right to live as he chooses. He’s obviously not a productive member of society, but he’s not hurting anyone or doing anything illegal, so I frown upon but acknowledge his right to dress and act like a baby in his free time. At least he’s not Lindsey Lohan.
What really grinds my gears is that my tax dollars are funding his “disability”. Stanley had a tough childhood according to his personal bio, and I’m sorry that he suffered through that situation. However, he has clearly demonstrated the ability to function as a normal member of society
He can hold a steady job. He has basic skills such as carpentry and website management that could be applied to the workforce. He has the mental capacity to understand that acting like a baby as an adult is not normal. He is a healthy, functioning human being who just happens to enjoy acting like a baby.
What kind of message are we sending to society when our government will pay someone to be so lazy that they act like an infant or toddler? The government is paying this man to play Legos, take naps, drink from bottles, and read picture books when he could be spending that time earning his own living and paying taxes.
It’s the Principle of the Matter
We all know that with a $14.2 trillion dollar national debt, the little money Stanley and his nurse are getting is miniscule. The issue is not the amount, but that there are probably a lot more cases where people are getting paid to be lazy.
Laziness is not a disease, but it can spread like one if the government decides to pay people for it.
Kevin McKee is an entrepreneur, IT guru, and personal finance leader. In addition to his writing, Kevin is the head of IT at Buildingstars, Co-Founder of Padmission, and organizer of Laravel STL. He is also the creator of www.contributetoopensource.com. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys podcasting about movies and spending time with his wife and four children.
It’s pretty ridiculous that he’s threatening to kill himself if we take away his SSI.
Is it terrible of me to say that we should take it away just to see what would happen and if he does go through with it, that I wouldn’t care?
On another note… You know what else that SSI funds? Stupid.
No joke, if you can prove you are too stupid to do anything, you can get disability checks. One of my in-laws is a teacher and has seen kids flunk out, apply and be approved for disability. The deadbeat parent(s) often have a couple kids on disability in addition to themselves.
SS and SSI both need major reform.
Wow, just more examples of excessive government waste. Thanks for the comment tom.
You said it; “This is America” …I’m not shocked at all, there is much worst out there…lol …btw great video. 🙂
Thanks! There’s definitely worse out there, but this one just struck a nerve with me. A combination of government waste and a man wasting his life.
Not probably. There are a lot more people like that out there. There are refugees that came to the US and we pay for them to live here. There is no time limit, nor do they have to get a job ever. I know no one wants to be forced from their home, but never having to work? REALLY?
I am at the point where I think that I’ll never see the SS money I pay out every paycheck. I would rather opt out of paying that and save for my own retirement.
This also pisses off the people who are TRULY physically disabled! I am one of them! I worked my butt off for about ten years and then get into a work accident that wasn’t my fault. I was then laid off from that job. Then got hired for another one. I try keeping a job with my whole body pains. My back, neck, legs, and ankles hurt a lot. I couldn’t keep the simplest job like file clerk. The temp agency called the HR department and they said I should resign. I did. That’s when I noticed I couldn’t hold a job. I DO NOT have the physical ability to work like this man can! I could hardly type this! My right arm hurts and feels like I have corporal tunnel. I just had to post this up! I have been fighting for SSI/D since 2005! I have to prove A LOT! This guy is full of crap! He ONLY acts like a baby at home, but not in public! According to social security rules, he MUST dress like a baby and drink out of baby bottle ALL THE TIME! EVEN OUTSIDE! I now use a walking cane and take it EVERYWHERE with me! I can’t wear high heels like I used to before my accident. A lot of things have changed in my life. I also have depression and anxiety from not doing much at all just staying at home! I’m getting counseling now.
About two weeks ago, I met a lady who got THREE brain operations. She used to be a RN. She now lost her right eye sight and can’t keep a job. She has three kids. She has been fighting for SSI/D for a long time as well! Us physically disabled people are being ignored by the government! I do NOTHING! This guy makes his own dang crib! I just want to go AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! SCREAM! So someone can hear me and that I’m in pain! Thanks for the song. So true he is lazy! He is an example of why most people hate other people who are on SSI/D. Some deserve to have SSI/D! I just hope I get my soon.
You need heroin. Find a local dealer!!!