Topic: Social Security Disability

A 71-year-old donor's handwritten note prompts a discussion on the history of cursive writing, including the Palmer Method and distinct French longhand styles. The donor describes her struggle to get Social Security disability approval for her daughter and the health impacts of pharmaceutical drugs. The hosts reflect on the difficulty of navigating government bureaucracy for families in need.

The history of the Galveston seawall is reviewed, noting its construction following the devastating 1899 hurricane and its failure to stop Hurricane Ike. An anecdote is shared regarding a local panhandler named Ray who used a graphic medical story about "pooping blood" as part of his solicitation pitch. Local news reports also warn of high bacteria levels on the West End beaches of the island.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew reported that while combined Social Security funds are sufficient for 19 years, the disability program specifically faces a shortfall within two years. Simultaneously, a Pew Research Center report indicates the wealth gap in the United States has reached a 30-year high. Data shows that affluent families increased their wealth from 2010 to 2013, while low-income families saw a decline in net worth.