States consider drug tests for welfare recipients

[lib2DaBone]

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090326/States.Welfare.With.Strings/
(snip)
Those in favor of the drug tests say they are motivated out of a 'concern' for their constituents' health and ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds. But proponents concede they also want to send a message: you don't get something for nothing.

"Nobody's being forced into these assistance programs," said Craig Blair, a Republican in the West Viginia Legislature who has created a Web site — http://notwithmytaxdollars.com/ — that bears a bobble-headed likeness of himself advocating this position. "If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not these benefits?"

Blair is proposing the most comprehensive measure in the country, as it would apply to anyone applying for food stamps, unemployment compensation or the federal programs usually known as "welfare": Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Women, Infants and Children.


Mr. Holier-than-thou-Fundy-Republican Asshole Blair
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The Fundys are at it again. They automatically assume that because someone is unemployed in this economy it is because they "DO DRUGS" or they are "Lazy". (this guy pisses me off)

Now, in addition to pounding the pavement looking for a job.. I gotta go sit in some dingy Government drug testing site and waste a whole day getting "tested". Plus, who is going to pay for these tests? This is pure government harassment by the Fundys.

Can anyone honestly look at Representative John Boehner (look at his eyes) and tell me this guy is sober? How about drug and alchohol testing for politicians?

:grr:

[lonestarnot]

1. The old crack v cocaine agenda.

[wartrace]

2. What a waste of time.

What do we do if people fail the tests? It is unlikely we would "cut them off" because that would lead to other unpleasant things and added costs of foster care for children in the family. We could send them to rehab but if they are thrown right back into the environment they were in previously it is unlikely they would stay off drugs.

The thought that the people on welfare who use drugs are costing us too much money or that they are using public funds to buy drugs is foolish. Drug testing them would cost more money than it would save in the long run. I guess these people think being on welfare is a wonderful life of leisure and we give them so much money they can afford to buy drugs along with the basics of life.

[Turbineguy]

3. Interesting

perhaps there is some test for what ever it is that befalls fundies.

[NOW tense]

4. The cost of drug testing would be higher

then the cost of helping people.

[KharmaTrain]

5. If It's Treated As An Illness Rather Than A Crime

Fact is there are a lot of people who have turned to drugs rather than face reality. This isn't a legal or political, but a social issue...and a public health issue. When someone would rather spend their last dollars on a high rather than on food or clothes for their children or a roof over their head, has a health problem and their addiction not only is destroying their lives, but those who are dependent upon them.

I favor putting provisions on government aid if its seen that the recepient is abusing that aid in keeping a destructive habit going or withholding that aid from others whose lives depend on it.

This isn't throwing them in jail, but a long-needed national drug addiction and prevention program (including alcohol and nicotine) as well as a revision of the healthcare system to preventive care. It's investing in vocational training and other programs that will give these people alternatives to escaping into a drug haze and on-going care to reduce both their dependence on substances and on the government.

[sandnsea]

6. When welfare was a legal entitlement

They couldn't do this shit. That's what the word entitlement really means, legal right without arbitrary conditions.

Here's another thanks to Bill Clinton.

[Ezlivin]

7. It's like what they do with abortion

Since they can't ban it outright they burden it with lots of stuff like parental notification, waiting periods and having to view a sonogram.

They can't kill welfare, but they can burden it with extra steps to discourage people from availing themselves of it.