Forget racism... anyone catch what Rand said about disabled people?

Thats a good point, and I will not argue it since I dont know what its like to be disabled. The comment just struck me as odd because "fiscal responsibilty" was his buzz word for this interview. He mentioned it quite a few times, even when it didnt fit the context of the discussion... almost as if he knew that saying those two words is what Tea Party people like to hear. It seemed to me that he dosent think buildings should be built to accomodate handicap people because it just costs too much money.

I wish the new buzz word/phrase was "common sense". The government can and should regulate public buildings to make sure that all citizens, regardless of handicap, can access them freely - and they do. But I am not sure that government should regulate everything, everybody, every building. There are stores I frequent more often than others simply because they provide better accommodations. They have the scooters near the door, employees willing to retrieve them for you, carry your purchases to your car, etc. Other establishments don't provide such accommodations and they don't get my business. Perhaps my business is not important to them. If they suffered economic loss, they might change their establishments to accommodate me and other handicapped people. But they don't limit my ability to get what I need, and I don't enlarge their coffers with my disposable income. Some apartment complexes cater to the elderly or the disabled, others don't. I don't rent apartments on the third floors of old houses, but I don't feel I have a right to demand that the landlord install elevators so that I can rent his apartments. Common sense dictates that if a public building is one that any citizen might need access to - a courthouse, a post office, an IRS office - then the government ought to make sure it's accessible to everyone. But putting economic burdens on private businesses to the detriment of their ability to do business and to the detriment of the economy as a whole, doesn't make sense. Don't make it harder for disabled people, I think it would be great if I could go everywhere and do everything. I want to go to the beach, but chairs and scooters don't move well over dry beach sand. I can't demand the city put a handicap ramp in that takes me to the ocean's edge. Limitations are not the same as discrimination, they just are a fact of life. Not all disabled people are making unreasonable demands and not all are treated fairly. Let's be fair AND use common sense. I am disabled and can still be reasonable and sensible. I think lots of people can be both.

I never said you couldn't and I apologize if this discussion is making you upset. It was merely my point of veiw, as a non-disabled person, who thought that perhaps this statement was insensitive. Nothing more, thank you for your perspective, I really do appreciate it.

Like you I didnt know much about him either. Personaly, my first exposure to him was not positive. I cant say for sure but, I would venture a guess that many people like him because they like his father Ron. We all know how well THAT line of thought works in politics over the recnt years. At least, I thought we did. The entire interview (which I listened to live, as it was happening) it was like he was reading from notes on the palm of his hand. Just mention fiscal responsibility as much as possible... that will win over those Tea Party people!

"it's still not ethical to limit their activities because of the cost of an upgrade." They are required by law to make "reasonable accommodations." If cost is prohibitive than the accommodation is not reasonable and thus, the person will not be hired. Spall I've worked my last 4 jobs in the public sector and gone through ridiculous amounts of training regarding ADA accommodations. Bankrupting a company is not reasonable by any stretch of the imagination. "if that two-story office is open to the public, they're required by federal law to have both floor accessable to people with handicaps." Tell that to those crappy motels with two stories and no elevators. In fact, forget them, what about bed & breakfasts? I can tell you the ones I've seen are just large houses that were converted to businesses. They typically don't have elevators either.

I should also point out that outside of Miami, every apartment I've ever lived in has been in a 3 story building and NONE OF THEM have had elevators.

Yup. I'm sure you would.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Rand might be one of those people who took advantage of the current political atmosphere to do a power grab all his own. Everyone knows incumbents are in trouble this year. This gives a whole new generation of corrupt government officals to step up to bat. Mind you, this is all my gut feelings... having listened to this particular interview and reading others since. I understand that his father is popular with the Tea Party. Apparently nepotism is not one of the big government evils that needs to be done away with with this new revolution.

You are making something of nothing. Just have meetings on the first floor. Sheesh. It's like you're actively trying to be unreasonable.

I do not know what its like to be wheelchair bound but I am pretty sure if I was I would be pretty upset if my employer limited my acces in my job. Oh there is a meeting on the second floor? Well.. email me the minutes... I'll just stay down here in the designated diabled person zone while you all discuss the important matters.