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Author
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Topic: Should Welfare Recipents Be Drug Tested?
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Randall
Webmaster Posts: 27276
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 12:56 PM
  
Alabama has introduced this legislation, and it just passed the House. What do you think? Should people who get assistance be able to spend the money on drugs? IP: Logged |
AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 7295
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 12:58 PM
It would cost more to test them.IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 6524
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:00 PM
It`s on the agenda here as well. Along with proving the child is attending school. I`m all for it and hope Gov. Snyder does not back down. He already put into law a four year limit. Like background checks for gun control, the innocent will shine and receive benefits. ------------------
We need to listen to our own song, and share it with others, but not force it on them. Our songs are different. They should be in harmony with each other. ~ Mattie Stepanek IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 6524
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:02 PM
I`m thinking the cost involved will soon fall as more get off welfare. How many will voluntarily go to work now?edited to say the needy and drug free folks will still get the help....
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We need to listen to our own song, and share it with others, but not force it on them. Our songs are different. They should be in harmony with each other. ~ Mattie Stepanek IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:15 PM
Short answer: Yes. Absolutely.It could cost more, but in the end, it will help out in so many other ways (i am thinking of the children who have to live with these types). Though, I believe "welfare" is given through assistance via food stamps and other means, such as help with utility bills or Section 8, where the people never receive actual money. Disabled people, retired poor and veterans are another story. I am all for drug testing across the board. IP: Logged |
shura
Knowflake Posts: 547
From:
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:15 PM
details please. How often will they test? For instance, cocaine can pass through your system within 3-5 days, I believe. Will the state provide quality treatment for those addicts looking for help? Or are we throwing them and their children to the wolves? There are ways around a postive result (watering up, for instance) and obviously drug users know this. Chronic users might be caught but recreational users won't. So it's ok with the state if I use my welfare money on coke once or twice a month but not everyday? Is that right?IP: Logged |
AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 7295
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:17 PM
It would be an experiment. If it turns out the people poor enough [and together enough] to get on welfare aren't on drugs, you've created a bureaucracy that can't pay for itself. Instead of cutting waste, you've increased it. IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:18 PM
quote:
Will the state provide quality treatment for those addicts looking for help? Or are we throwing them and their children to the wolves?
Great points. Yes, it is expensive to help addicts, but it's something that deserves more focus and money well spent. Until people understand addiction more, things will stay the same. quote:
So it's ok with the state if I use my welfare money on coke once or twice a month but not everyday? Is that right?
And what about their junk food and sugar addiction? Can't forget how powerful and damaging those can be to people to. 
IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:21 PM
Most on welfare can barely afford to survive, nevermind buy drugs. If they are doing drugs, they get that money or drugs through other means.IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 27276
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:24 PM
With the Alabama legislation, they have to pay for their own tests. quote:
Originally posted by AcousticGod:
It would cost more to test them.
IP: Logged |
shura
Knowflake Posts: 547
From:
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:26 PM
If it turns out the people poor enough [and together enough] to get on welfare aren't on drugsGosh, what a shocker that would be. I know two regular users - not addicts, just users. Neither on welfare. Both more financially comfortable. I know three woman on assistance. None of them use drugs. Anecdotal, yes yes. Point being, I suspect we might be playing to the 'fat lazy welfare mom' myth. Also, do prescription drugs count? Because if you put a bag of pot and a bottle of ambien or zoloft in fron of me, I'm going with the bag as it's imo the far less dangerous choice. If I test postive for a legal drug, will the state require a script? Who will be verifying those? Slimy can of worms here. IP: Logged |
AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 7295
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:27 PM
Do they get an off-setting amount extra to pay for the tests?I think (I'm not positive) that the hurdles to receiving welfare are already pretty high. Do we really need to add another layer of burden on those folks? I agree with T's sentiment above: "Most on welfare can barely afford to survive, nevermind buy drugs." IP: Logged |
shura
Knowflake Posts: 547
From:
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Randall:
With the Alabama legislation, they have to pay for their own tests.
yikes. So I pay for a test to prove I'm not taking something you have no proof I'm taking? oy
IP: Logged |
shura
Knowflake Posts: 547
From:
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:35 PM
quote:
And what about their junk food and sugar addiction? Can't forget how powerful and damaging those can be to people to.
Don't think Nestle and PepsiCo would appreciate that kind of talk, agent26. Better keep your mouth shut or they'll stop funding your war chest.
IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 27276
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:45 PM
Well, unfortunately, statistically speaking, welfare recipients live in lower income areas, and guess what? Lower income areas are wrought with drug abuse. I see nothing wrong with proving that they are not using illegal substances in order to receive any state or federal benefit.IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 27276
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:48 PM
Coke isn't really the drug of choice. We are typically talking meth and to a lesser degree crack (although weed will also disqualify them). And I doubt any true drug addiction can be satisfied once a month. Bottom line: Why should my tax dollars feed their drug habits?IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 27276
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:53 PM
Aid is a privilege, not a right. IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by shura:
If it turns out the people poor enough [and together enough] to get on welfare aren't on drugsGosh, what a shocker that would be. I know two regular users - not addicts, just users. Neither on welfare. Both more financially comfortable. I know three woman on assistance. None of them use drugs. Anecdotal, yes yes. Point being, I suspect we might be playing to the 'fat lazy welfare mom' myth. Also, do prescription drugs count? Because if you put a bag of pot and a bottle of ambien or zoloft in fron of me, I'm going with the bag as it's imo the far less dangerous choice. If I test postive for a legal drug, will the state require a script? Who will be verifying those? Slimy can of worms here.
Once again.... there we have it folks.  IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by shura:
yikes. So I pay for a test to prove I'm not taking something you have no proof I'm taking? oy
I also did not realize they were to pay for it themselves too. Most can't afford to eat. I don't think they should be required to pay for that too. That tells me, it's not truly a concern and merely a way to make (or save) more money. You want to know, then you can pay to know, not take more money out of the pockets that already don't have enough to survive to begin with. IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by shura:
Don't think Nestle and PepsiCo would appreciate that kind of talk, agent26. Better keep your mouth shut or they'll stop funding your war chest.
LOL IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 01:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Randall:
Aid is a privilege, not a right.
Giving aid to those less fortunate or ill is something all humans should do more of for the benefit of all of humanity. Then things can begin to balance out. It's not a privilage or a right, it's common sense and inborn in the human heart. IP: Logged |
Node
Knowflake Posts: 2267
From: 1,981 mi East of Truth or Consequences NM
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 02:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by T:
Giving aid to those less fortunate or ill is something all humans should do more of for the benefit of all of humanity. Then things can begin to balance out.It's not a privilage or a right, it's common sense and inborn in the human heart.
 and happy solar return...whenever it is   Scottish Longhorns  IP: Logged |
Node
Knowflake Posts: 2267
From: 1,981 mi East of Truth or Consequences NM
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 02:06 PM
It is too bad we don't have ethics testing in congress....maybe the Koch bros will pay for it.IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 02:13 PM
Node, thank you & they are gorgeous!I just did a search for your birthday :O and nothing turned up,
So I will wish you a happy birthday as well, fellow Bull, in case i've missed it and if not, then happy early birthday!!! I so enjoy your presence here.  IP: Logged |
T
Knowflake Posts: 9462
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 25, 2013 02:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Node:
It is too bad we don't have ethics testing in congress....maybe the Koch bros will pay for it.
 IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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