Welfare recipients will take drug tests in Florida

JonnyPistachio
JonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
edited April 2011 in A Moving Train
...
I was surprised that (if this passes) there are only two states in the U.S. doing this.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state ... 65506.html


"Florida would become the second state in the nation to approve such an undertaking, something Gov. Rick Scott campaigned on last year.

A federal court in Michigan has struck down a similar law there, ruling that universal drug testing without suspicion of drug abuse was unconstitutional.

Proponents of the bill say the tests could help force drug-addicted welfare recipients to go straight. Opponents object that the measure would force the poorest of Floridians to fork out money they can't afford to get cash assistance for their families.

"If the state is going to go down the road of moving from a presumption of innocence standard to the presumption of guilt for only the poorest among us, it should at least bear the cost," argued Rep. Jeff Brandes, D-St. Petersburg.

But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jimmie T. Smith, R-Inverness, said the measure is necessary to ensure that state and federal dollars are being spent on families who truly deserve the aid and that those who receive the money don't spend it on drugs. And, he argued, student athletes, many private employees and soldiers have to submit to the tests."
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Comments

  • maj4e
    maj4e Posts: 605
    Only if everyone who receives ANY public money has to be tested. State employees, kids in public schools. Politicians etc.
  • CH156378
    CH156378 Posts: 1,539
    i think it would be wise to look into the goveners financial gains in regards to health clinics and drug testing. you will be surprised. i think you will see his real motives.
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,327
    I would add a condition that if they fail, they can still receive welfare as long as they have documented proof they are attending weekly rehab and support groups to quit.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
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  • JonnyPistachio
    JonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    CH156378 wrote:
    i think it would be wise to look into the goveners financial gains in regards to health clinics and drug testing. you will be surprised. i think you will see his real motives.

    yes, I am aware he has a shady past. I can't even believe the people of FL elected him.
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • Blockhead
    Blockhead Posts: 1,538
    maj4e wrote:
    Only if everyone who receives ANY public money has to be tested. State employees, kids in public schools. Politicians etc.
    ???? whats your reasoning for that??? They are PAYING back into the system (tax) welfare recipients are not, they are given money not working for it.
    Why is it the gov. job to drug test kids??? That is what we have PARENTS for, thats their job. Its not the gov. job to be PARENTS.
  • Blockhead
    Blockhead Posts: 1,538
    Jason P wrote:
    I would add a condition that if they fail, they can still receive welfare as long as they have documented proof they are attending weekly rehab and support groups to quit.
    Then what is the incentive for them to stop doing dugs. Rehad is not treated as a consequence. You can't make somone quit if they don't want to. Throwing more and more money into social programs is clearly not the answer. Make there be an incentive to get off and a dis-incentive to go on.
  • CH156378
    CH156378 Posts: 1,539
    wont it cost alot of money to drug test all the welfare recipients.
  • JonnyPistachio
    JonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    CH156378 wrote:
    wont it cost alot of money to drug test all the welfare recipients.

    Yes, that is where there is some controversy. They are requiring the applicant to pay for the testing. They say it will be between $10-70.
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,327
    Blockhead wrote:
    Jason P wrote:
    I would add a condition that if they fail, they can still receive welfare as long as they have documented proof they are attending weekly rehab and support groups to quit.
    Then what is the incentive for them to stop doing dugs. Rehad is not treated as a consequence. You can't make somone quit if they don't want to. Throwing more and more money into social programs is clearly not the answer. Make there be an incentive to get off and a dis-incentive to go on.
    I'm not a big fan of social programs but I'm offering a compromised solution. Maybe you put a time limit on it for them to get clean.

    But people that are hooked on drugs can't just stop on a dime. And maybe they are not interested in quiting. But maybe a forced turn into rehab will allow them to open their eyes and get clean.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,464
    funny how the cost of all of this testing will most likely be incurred by the government. lab testing is not cheap. i would be willing to bet that the testing itself would cost almost as much as the assistance being paid out.

    so the proponets of this bill, presumably conservatives who want to cut spending, are willing to let the government pay for and run this testing, while at the same time NOT giving FOOD money to people who need it? or even if the recipient has to pay for the testing, that is still taking food money out of their pockets to pay for testing..

    it is ironic to me how the government should pay for testing, isn't this an expansion of government and just as big of a drain on the system??
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • EmBleve
    EmBleve Posts: 3,019
    Jason P wrote:
    Blockhead wrote:
    Then what is the incentive for them to stop doing dugs. Rehad is not treated as a consequence. You can't make somone quit if they don't want to. Throwing more and more money into social programs is clearly not the answer. Make there be an incentive to get off and a dis-incentive to go on.
    I'm not a big fan of social programs but I'm offering a compromised solution. Maybe you put a time limit on it for them to get clean.

    But people that are hooked on drugs can't just stop on a dime. And maybe they are not interested in quiting. But maybe a forced turn into rehab will allow them to open their eyes and get clean.

    A time limit, maybe. But there would have to be a consequence to failing a drug test. Rehab and still failing drug tests and still receiving money is definitely not a consequence.
  • EmBleve
    EmBleve Posts: 3,019
    CH156378 wrote:
    wont it cost alot of money to drug test all the welfare recipients.

    why not withhold the amount for testing from what they get?
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,327
    EmBleve wrote:
    A time limit, maybe. But there would have to be a consequence to failing a drug test. Rehab and still failing drug tests and still receiving money is definitely not a consequence.
    We could hire someone to give them an indian burn each time they fail.

    In the end, it's all just theory we are discussing because even if it passes, the courts will block it.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • EmBleve
    EmBleve Posts: 3,019
    Jason P wrote:
    EmBleve wrote:
    A time limit, maybe. But there would have to be a consequence to failing a drug test. Rehab and still failing drug tests and still receiving money is definitely not a consequence.
    We could hire someone to give them an indian burn each time they fail.

    In the end, it's all just theory we are discussing because even if it passes, the courts will block it.
    yes, true. Theoretically, though, there would have to be a realistic consequence, otherwise there wouldn't be a point in doing it.
  • BinauralJam
    BinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    This is Bullshit :D
  • _
    _ Posts: 6,657
    WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY LATELY???? Who are these dumbfucks we have in office?? :roll:
  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    Blockhead wrote:
    maj4e wrote:
    Only if everyone who receives ANY public money has to be tested. State employees, kids in public schools. Politicians etc.
    ???? whats your reasoning for that??? They are PAYING back into the system (tax) welfare recipients are not, they are given money not working for it.
    Why is it the gov. job to drug test kids??? That is what we have PARENTS for, thats their job. Its not the gov. job to be PARENTS.
    What about those receiving farm subsidies? Should they be tested?
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,464
    or how about all government employees who are paid in tax dollars, should they be tested as well?
    what about our military and our soldiers?
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • EmBleve
    EmBleve Posts: 3,019
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    or how about all government employees who are paid in tax dollars, should they be tested as well?
    what about our military and our soldiers?
    Doesn't the military have to take drug tests? I thought they did.. :?
  • _
    _ Posts: 6,657
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    or how about all government employees who are paid in tax dollars, should they be tested as well?
    what about our military and our soldiers?

    How about military dependents? My tax dollars pay for their housing & healthcare. Plus, military salaries that buy food for dependents indirectly support those dependents' drug habits. (Isn't that pretty much the argument that is being made by the federal government in their attempt to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving government funding?)

    What about small children who use public libraries? Or anyone who uses police or fire services. Yes, I definitely think the houses of anyone who does drugs should be left to burn down, whether or not their families live there as well. And I don't want my tax dollars going to protect anyone who ever uses drugs from rape or assault! :roll:

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