[TheRealVille]

I will give you the benefit of the doubt and conclude that you are not receiving disability from the taxpayers. I'll assume your injury was work related and that you are receiving worker's compensation. If so, you should thank your employer. Employers pay worker's compensation premiums. The workers pay nothing- just like the case with unemployment.

As a union man, I'm also sure you can afford to take off from time to time. You are not indispensable in that someone else can "punch in" in your absence. The job gets done whether you are there or not.

In my case, I am an employer. I have created jobs. I have employees. My employees and their dependents rely on me earning fees on a continual basis so that I can continue to provide them with a livelihood. If I had knee surgery, I wouldn't have the luxury of a relaxed stay at home to heal. I would have to bring the work home, hobble into the office, or both. At least in my office, I cannot be replaced.

And that, my friend, is where and why we differ philosophically.

No disability, no workers comp(not work related, exercise(running) related), but, if someone gets hurt on the job the employer should have to foot the bill. I can afford to take off work, with or without the union.