Hi, The Insider.

Actually, disability payments were added to the social security system in 1956 .... Yup, 1956.

What you may be referencing is "SSI", wihich is "Supplemental Security Income". That is actually paid through the Treasury and is funded with corporate and individual income tax(es);.

Very strange world we live in Master Jack.

As far as "poor quality" products from China ...

Dewalt, Porter Cable ... even the Japaners have gotten into it ... Hitachi and the last hold out Makita (some of their products are still manufactured in the Japans).

However, the quality of many of the "trade" tools (non homeowner cheap crap) has improved dramatically in the past decade. Actually, the quality is now as good as, and in some instances, far superior to when they were manufactured here in the good ol' USA.

Now, that does NOT speak well of the pride that used to go into U.S. made goods.

More's the pity.