My heart really goes out to anyone who has to apply for Social Security disability benefits. It’s a long process and it’s a tedious process. However, it does have one thing in its favor: It IS a process. It stinks. It’s difficult. It’s frustrating. But it IS a process. And we have that process because, at the end, of the day, you’re dealing with federal funds. When you’re talking about federal funds, you’re talking about the American people’s money. And let me tell you, people don’t care about other people’s money. They care about their own. And in some instances, they care about yours if they can get it. So, we have a process to make sure it doesn’t get abused, misused, mishandled, and / or misappropriated. Unfortunately, no one wants to hear that when they need it. However, this is a time when we need a process.
How many of you remember Hurricane Katrina and that whole fiasco with the debit cards that were sent out? A lot of struggling people didn’t get the benefit of the monies the federal government wanted them to get. WHY? One, they wanted the money RIGHT NOW! Two, in its effort to get the money to them right now, the federal government gave some people money they didn’t deserve.
Now, what does that mean for this latest disaster in the Gulf? Again, we are faced with a situation where the American people want their money RIGHT NOW!! But it’s clear that the government has a process. Look at it like this: let’s say that you were in an auto accident and it was the other driver’s fault. That driver has insurance and your car has over $5000 in damage. Who do you want to pay for it? That’s right! The other driver’s insurance. Well, let’s assume that in your haste, you tell YOUR insurance company to pay for it because the other driver’s insurance is not as good as yours. Ok, now you get what you want. Unfortunately, your premiums go up. The accident counts against your insurance. Finally, your insurance company informs you that, if you get into another accident, you will be dropped from your policy. NOW, you’re mad. But why? Had you slowed down a minute and let the OTHER driver’s insurance handle it, you wouldn’t be in this position.
Now, I’m not trying to make light of the peril and hard times of those in the Gulf. I’ve spent my entire legal career working with people who have to deal with the federal government in an attempt to receive their funds through a lengthy process. My point is this, BP caused this car accident. They have the insurance. Remember, the ENTIRE COUNTRY has to foot the bill for any money that comes out of OUR pocket to address this situation. A situation that was caused BY BP!!!! Let their insurance coverage address it and you just wait for the rental car.
