Urine Test for Public Assistance?

[Richards 0]

Quote

And then if we went to the merits of the idea, I suspect it's rather counterproductive. Costs a lot to test all those people, and disqualifying the drug users seems like it would only encourage them to commit more crime to feed the habit.

Not neccessarily. Not all drug users are twitching crack adicts. Many are habitual pot smokers and boozers who never seem to be able to find work (something to do with never bothering to get out of bed in the morning to look for one). As there seems to be a correlation between being a habitual doper/drinker and being chronically unemployed I think it is fair to demand some rules and supervision. When I lived under my parents roof and got free room and board there were requirements of me (like going to school, getting work and generally preparing myself for independance). At any point if I felt those rules "cramped my style" or infringed upon my rights I was free to leave and pay my own way. Same with people who suck on the taxpayers nipple. If you are too big a man to submit to our besic requirements of welfare recipients then you should be too big a man to take our taxes as a handout.

If you are habitually smoking pot then you are not likely putting too many hours into researching the market, looking at potential employers and grooming yourself for such employment. Get a job and pay for your own booze and dope.

My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within.

[Lindsey 0]

I'm not anti-the-welfare-recipient.

I didn't think that you were anti-the-welfare-recipient at all. I was just thinking of the situation in general....and at what point recipients of welfare should be subject to meeting certain criteria of worthiness.

For example, in Arkansas, we have a medical insurance program called ARKids First for kids of working parents who don't earn enough money for private medical insurance. Also, there are people who receive Social Security benefits, disability benefits, who have worked their whole lives and contributed to the betterment of society in many ways (not that working is the only way to contribute to society). Should they all be subject to those kinds of invasions of privacy?

My first response was, "Hell Yeah! They ought to have to submit to a drug test..." But then I just thought about what all was included in welfare. People tend to think, I think, about welfare as a check that poor people get for doing nothing. That's the one thing that welfare isn't as far as I can see. But welfare IS something that a lot of people, even people who aren't poor and unemployed, benefit from.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[RBM 1]

Thats a great idea!!!.... goin have to call my senator about that,,, Excellent Post!!

[PLFXpert 0]

Frankly, I haven't put much thought into it.

I've already decided if I were president, everything would be awesome. But, to actually want to be president, one must be insane. I'm a little crazy, but not that crazy.

So I research the issues before I vote and vote according to my opinion on the issues.

My only opinion in response to the e-mail being circulating, is also why it's so funny. If someone doesn't have the money for basic food, clothing & housing, how is it they have the money for weed?

Weed. Drugs. They're all expensive to most people, and especially to someone qualifying for welfare. Does no-one else see the humor in this??? The fact is, it's funny b/c it's true often enough that it's funny. Like many/most stereotypes, it has its roots in truth. There is a large enough percentage of welfare-recipients whom would fail a drug test, that it makes many wonder. And it makes the e-mail funny.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Lindsey 0]

My only opinion in response to the e-mail being circulating, is also why it's so funny. If someone doesn't have the money for basic food, clothing & housing, how is it they have the money for weed?

Lots of 'em ain't payin' cash for their weed...lol.

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[PLFXpert 0]

You got me there.

For me, when you see the math before you on your paystub, look just a little bit into where 1/2 your money is going, you can choose one of two things: Laugh or Cry.

I laugh. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Lindsey 0]

Yeah....I have to set mine aside and write a big ol' fat check every 3 months. I'm thinking that I may start stomping off mad rather than laughing or crying....lol. That'll show 'em.

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Nightingale 0]

I think the issue is more that we need to stop sending "checks" to people, and start providing benefits in other ways. My take on the welfare system is here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2614238;search_string=%20welfare;#2614238

[BIGUN 1,317]

Very well put. Do you remember the Washington Plan a few years back... Not that much unlike your model; where the basics were taken care of, but there was a declinging scale of benefits with a inclining scale towards independence and self sufficiency. One had 8 years to get off the program. By year four, had to be enrolled in college or trade school., Upon competion, and getting a jiob, the rug wasn't yanked out from under them, but adjusted to increase in wages - so if they needed Health Care, or child care, it wasn't just removed. But, in no case could anyone be on any assistance for more than 8 years.

Now, the flip side of thatt coind was - they did what they weere supposed to; but in the 8th year moved to anoterh more lenient State. Need a national program like TSA.... Ya know thousands standing around not doing anything concrete, but enough to earn a paycheck.

Sorry, been traveling a lot lately and am seriously not impressed - almost embarrassed.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[Lindsey 0]

How about students receiving federally guaranteed student loans or other financial aid? I know there were more than a few dollars of my student loans spent on things other than necessities.

As far as "checks" goes, what checks is everybody talking about other than disability checks? I don't know of any.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

I don't think we'll be good with letting kids starve because their mother smokes pot.

How do "we" let that woman's kids starve?
Seems she is letting her kids starve.

BTW, your check to me for this week's groceries (so my daughter doesn't starve) is late

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Zipp0 1]

It's funny to me that some people seem to resent the poor for their "luxurious" lifestyle. It's like all they do is watch TV and do drugs - and you can't stand that. Well, the truth is, most people would trade their "luxurious" poor lifestyle for your normal 9-5 lifestyle in a cold second. Shit, if I was poor I'd be high all the time too.

Tax dollars go to lots of programs that we don't get input on, or control of directly. Maybe I don't want my tax dollars going to oil company subsidies. Maybe I don't want my money to pay for Haliburton no-bid contracts. Well, that's just too bad - I don't get to make that decision.

And I don't get to decide what the poor do with their money either, even if some of it is tax dollars.

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[beowulf 1]

Quote

It's funny to me that some people seem to resent the poor for their "luxurious" lifestyle. It's like all they do is watch TV and do drugs - and you can't stand that. Well, the truth is, most people would trade their "luxurious" poor lifestyle for your normal 9-5 lifestyle in a cold second. Shit, if I was poor I'd be high all the time too.

Tax dollars go to lots of programs that we don't get input on, or control of directly. Maybe I don't want my tax dollars going to oil company subsidies. Maybe I don't want my money to pay for Haliburton no-bid contracts. Well, that's just too bad - I don't get to make that decision.

And I don't get to decide what the poor do with their money either, even if some of it is tax dollars.

BULL SHIT

Most of those ghetto people are too fuckin lazy to get off their ass and learn something so that can get real jobs. There are way too many people coming here from other countries for perfectly good jobs for there to be people on welfare wasting there lives smoking crack or whatever the preference is. Just because there too lazy to do the jobs that mexicans are sneaking across the border to do is not my problem.

[livendive 8]

Quote

As far as "checks" goes, what checks is everybody talking about other than disability checks? I don't know of any.

FYI - A lot of those disability checks are bullshit too. I know...I got one every month till I was 18. My birth mother is lazy, and never worked a day after I was born. We lived off our combined social security disability income (certainly not enough money to support a drug habit). I ran away at 13 and ended up with an aunt (my "mom"), who then received my check for a little over $300/month. That forced my birth mother to move into a friend's garage. As far as I know, she's coming up on 4 decades on the government tit. Sorry guys, I'd pay her way, but I didn't pick her any more than you did and don't happen to think I owe her much of anything. For those of you who think poor welfare sucking good-for-noughts breed nothing but more of the same...my schedule and level of income would beg to differ. Poverty is an excellent motivator.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[freethefly 6]

Quote

If you are habitually smoking pot then you are not likely putting too many hours into researching the market, looking at potential employers and grooming yourself for such employment.

Got any proof of this?
Nearly everyone I know smoke pot. Most smoke daily after work. Most of my friends do not drink. Soley pot smokers.
They all work good jobs. Most of them, you would never suspect that they even smoked or would even condone it.
There is no link between pot smoking and welfare.
I would venture to say that there are more working people who smoke than there are poor.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[DZJ 0]

I can only assume the person who sent the email in the original post owns shares in a pee testing company.

[Zipp0 1]

Quote

Quote

It's funny to me that some people seem to resent the poor for their "luxurious" lifestyle. It's like all they do is watch TV and do drugs - and you can't stand that. Well, the truth is, most people would trade their "luxurious" poor lifestyle for your normal 9-5 lifestyle in a cold second. Shit, if I was poor I'd be high all the time too.

Tax dollars go to lots of programs that we don't get input on, or control of directly. Maybe I don't want my tax dollars going to oil company subsidies. Maybe I don't want my money to pay for Haliburton no-bid contracts. Well, that's just too bad - I don't get to make that decision.

And I don't get to decide what the poor do with their money either, even if some of it is tax dollars.

BULL SHIT

Most of those ghetto people are too fuckin lazy to get off their ass and learn something so that can get real jobs. There are way too many people coming here from other countries for perfectly good jobs for there to be people on welfare wasting there lives smoking crack or whatever the preference is. Just because there too lazy to do the jobs that mexicans are sneaking across the border to do is not my problem.

So, all poor people live in the ghetto?

And actually, the poor ARE your problem (and mine). It's called living in a SOCIETY. Maybe you'd prefer living in a self-sufficient commune, like the Amish. Well, nobody is stopping you. then you don't have to pay taxes (except property).

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[billvon 2,998]

>How do "we" let that woman's kids starve?

By withholding money she has come to rely on.

>Seems she is letting her kids starve.

No, God did it! Or maybe the mom's parents brought her up wrong. I'm sure there are lots of people we can find to blame. But we can choose to help or not. Most people choose to help, which is a good thing.

That being said, buying her drugs really isn't helping, which is why I like the "food/clothing/housing only" credit.

[nathaniel 0]

Quote

No, God did it!

Let em starve then, lest we incur God's wrath ourselves. Who do you think you are, trying to play god.

My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose. Do you hear me, Lebowski?

[Zipp0 1]

Quote

Quote

No, God did it!

Let em starve then,

Let me guess..... You are pro-life, right?

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[billvon 2,998]

>You are pro-life, right?

Based on your response, I'd have to say that you are anti-literary-device.

[Zipp0 1]

Quote

>You are pro-life, right?

Based on your response, I'd have to say that you are anti-literary-device.

He was being facetious? Sometimes it's damn near impossible to tell in SC.

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

Most of those ghetto people are too fuckin lazy to get off their ass and learn something so that can get real jobs. There are way too many people coming here from other countries for perfectly good jobs for there to be people on welfare wasting there lives smoking crack or whatever the preference is. Just because there too lazy to do the jobs that mexicans are sneaking across the border to do is not my problem.

Actually, from what I've read and heard, there is a fair amount of resentment in the African American community (you know, those ghetto people) that illegal immigrants, especially those willing to work below minimum wage, are taking up so many low-skilled jobs.
But nice gratuitous bash, anyway – you managed to get in a two-fer.

[ExAFO 0]

Quote

Quote

Most of those ghetto people are too fuckin lazy to get off their ass and learn something so that can get real jobs. There are way too many people coming here from other countries for perfectly good jobs for there to be people on welfare wasting there lives smoking crack or whatever the preference is. Just because there too lazy to do the jobs that mexicans are sneaking across the border to do is not my problem.

Actually, from what I've read and heard, there is a fair amount of resentment in the African American community (you know, those ghetto people) that illegal immigrants, especially those willing to work below minimum wage, are taking up so many low-skilled jobs.
But nice gratuitous bash, anyway – you managed to get in a two-fer.

Ducks say "Quack."

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[Zipp0 1]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Most of those ghetto people are too fuckin lazy to get off their ass and learn something so that can get real jobs. There are way too many people coming here from other countries for perfectly good jobs for there to be people on welfare wasting there lives smoking crack or whatever the preference is. Just because there too lazy to do the jobs that mexicans are sneaking across the border to do is not my problem.

Actually, from what I've read and heard, there is a fair amount of resentment in the African American community (you know, those ghetto people) that illegal immigrants, especially those willing to work below minimum wage, are taking up so many low-skilled jobs.
But nice gratuitous bash, anyway – you managed to get in a two-fer.

Ducks say "Quack."

And the award for the most annoying poster on SC goes to...... (drumroll)

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.