Drug tests for Public Assistance recipients

[LadyEagle]

I didn't read through the whole thread, but here is an on-line petition place:

http://grassfire.org/

 

[JustChristian]

I didn't read through the whole thread, but here is an on-line petition place:

http://grassfire.org/

What does this have to do with drug tests for public assistance recipients?

 

[targus]

...if people who have jobs are required to submit to random drug testing, shouldn't people who we support through Public Assistance.. (food stamps, check, etc) also be tested for drugs...

I thought it was a good idea... and contacted all my representatives... and NOT a one to this day has returned my email or call... (Can anyone say time for new representation!)

Anyway.. I have been thinking about this now for a week.. and am contemplating circulating a petition for this idea.

I didn't read through the whole thread, but here is an on-line petition place: http://grassfire.org/

What does this have to do with drug tests for public assistance recipients?

LadyEagle is addressing the opening post by providing a means for Tinytim to start a petition if he so desires.

LadyEagle is on topic.

 

[tinytim]

Thanks targus.. I really hate repeating myself for people.

 

[tinytim]

Vote on the thread that Salty started... This will also guide my decision.

 

[targus]

Thanks targus.. I really hate repeating myself for people.

I understand what you are saying. It is some times difficult for me to be patient with others who either lack critical thinking skills or pretend not to understand the course of the discussion.

I also find it ironic that JustChristian was implying that LadyEagle was off topic when that seems to be his standard operating procedure with his incessant off topic Bush bashing.

 

[Steven2006]

I can't believe nobody is thinking about the cost and the impracticality of this idea.

For this to be effective the testing has to be done regularly, so how often? Once a month, once a quater, twice a year? The less often the less effective. Once you decide how often, then where is the testing done? There are millions of people that get assistance in this country. Do you have them all go into a local office of some kind? How many towns have that many extra offices and bathrooms available to handle this? Probably for many towns that alone would be a problem. So what do you do, build a place for it, rent one? Then you would need administrators, and entire staffs of both men and women at each location.

If that isn't practical, do you go to their homes? Then you need a much bigger staff, and a fleet of vehicles. You would have the expense of running and repairing that fleet.

With testing people you can't possible surprise them, so you would have to send out some type of notice. That would only increase the chances of some being able to cheat or beat the system. One thing I have learned over the years, is that of the people that would probably fail the test many will figure a way of beating and cheating a system. So in reality it probably won't be as effective as we would desire, and just and up hassling all the people that would not fail (the honest people).

Another thing to consider. With the type of money involved in this, you will have to expect a certain amount of corruption. Some will take money and favors in order to allow cheating. Or worse yet the most corrupt might blackmail some people, and hold the power they have over them.

If something like this ever passed, I am afraid it would end up just another large government bureaucracy, full of waste, and corruption. One that cost the tax payers a tremendous amount of money without much success. Just something that will end up making people shake their heads in disgust when we read or hear news reports about it failings.

 

[Salty]

I can't believe nobody is thinking about the cost and the impracticality of this idea.

Substitute IRS for drug testing and all your theories would be the same.

However, I do like your ideal of going to someones home for testing! Who says we have to give advance notice.

When the govt has a program which gives you something (for nothing), there are certain requirements.

In fact, a Veterans Admin disability check (WHICH WAS EARNED!!!) will be reduced when a vet is put into jail!

So I have no pity on a welfare recipient who did nothing to "earn" his monthly check.

 

[tinytim]

Hmmm.. check this out..

WV seems to be leading the charge.. Great minds think alike.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510707,00.html

And from WV delegate Blair's website:

http://notwithmytaxdollars.com/index.html

Welcome to NotWithMyTaxDollars.com where you can learn about my proposed legislation to drug test recipients of Welfare, Unemployment and Food Assistance (formally known as Food Stamps).

Nowhere in our state or U.S. constitutions is it mandated that financial assistance is a right. Make no mistake, it is a privilege afforded to those in need by the taxpayers via our federal and state governments. Also, unemployment compensation premiums are currently paid by the employer, not the employee; however that may change very soon. We should also remember that illicit drug use is illegal. It is a crime that has criminal penalties.



I think it's time that we get serious about the problem of illegal drug users abusing our public assistance system in West Virginia. We should require random drug testing for every individual receiving welfare, food assistance or unemployment benefits. After all, more and more employers are requiring drug testing. Why not make sure that people who are supposed to be looking for work are already prequalified by being drug free?



Furthermore, encouraging just one drug addicted, welfare supported mother or father, to get clean, would save potentially thousands upon thousands of dollars. For every child born who is inflicted with a lifelong drug abuse related disease, the taxpayer’s incurred expense could be in the hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of dollars.



Opponents claim that this legislation will hurt the children. Evidence clearly indicates that drug addicted parents are the ones truly inflicting the harm. This bill actually helps to protect the children. Someone who fails a drug test will be given two months to get clean before assistance is cut off. Any good parent would clearly choose their children’s best interest over illegal drugs. And, maybe financial resources or the lack there of will be a greater cessation motivator than the addiction itself. Remember, the upfront drug testing expense is minimal compared to the backside taxpayer incurred burden.



As for the constitutional issue, it has never been considered by the US Supreme Court. Furthermore, “Big Brother” already invades welfare recipient’s lives by requiring proof of need via payroll receipts and bank account information. Interestingly enough, employees can get fired from their job for drug usage, yet receive unemployment compensation benefits which in turn drives up the cost of employer paid unemployment premiums.



In essence, I believe that this bill will be constitutional. Opponents of this bill are either enablers of bad (illegal) behavior, drug abusers or the most despicable of all...have a personal financial interest/gain in the demise of a certain segment of our society.And, they’ve yet to offer a viable alternative to this legislation.



[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]It’s time we start respecting the taxpayer and get serious about fixing this problem.

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