Drug tests for welfare pushed

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | August 29, 2013 | Catherine Candisky

[IamConservative]

I like. Same concept should apply to SNAP, Obamaphones, etc.

[Responsibility2nd]

Cue the “That’s Racist” boy.

Cause .... Well, you know.

[SusaninOhio]

I’m sure we will be hearing from Holder any minute, ordering us to stop this racist testing.

[Maceman]

Michigan’s drug-testing law, he said, was found unconstitutional because it required all applicants to undergo screenings regardless of whether there was reason to believe they were using illegal drugs. “That screening is an integral component needed to avoid a legal challenge. It gets around the Fourth Amendment (protection against) unreasonable search. A state can’t compel all applicants as a group to take a drug test; you have to establish cause,” Schaffer said.

This is the most cockamamie reasoning I have ever seen. If somebody doesn't want to take a drug test, all they have to do is not apply for welfare.

My understanding is that there are plenty of jobs in the public and private sector that require drug tests. How is it possible that people getting free money from taxpayers for doing nothing don't have to take drug tests?

How is this ethical, not to mention intelligent, social policy?

[JCBreckenridge]

“unfairly stigmatizes poor people”

True, it forces the ones who work to subsidize wealthier people’s drug habits. Drug test all of them.

[taxcutisapayraise]

Is the proposed legislation called the “Urine the Money” bill?

[JCBreckenridge]

Ahh denounce meself...

[shego]

Everywhere else they tried this, it turned out that the government spent more on the tests than they saved by kicking a few people off the rolls.

Typical feel-good "LOOKIT ME I'M DOING SOMETHING!" preening.

[Iron Munro]

Good idea.

Regular drug tests should be required for everyone in the federal government too.

Start with the Bg Choomer in the White House, his staff, Congress, the Senate, and their staffs.

Then move on to all the bureaucrats, the Justice Dept., federal courts and the millions of parasitic government employees spread all over the country sucking the life from the nation.

[MarineMom613]

Children SHOULD NOT be exempted from testing. What age determines a child? A 14-16 yo person that is getting part of those benefits and is doing drugs???? No, Children under age of 10 yo, OK. Any overage of 10-12 should also be tested. If kids are taken drugs, cut the benefits or whatever to induce parents to take care of business. It’s a New World out there. Kids are no longer kids. You have 20 yo’s still in HS! Whats up with that??? Look outside the box and you will find fleas all over the place.

[Whenifhow]

Ohio Ping

[Reagan is King]

The Associated Press recently reported that Utah spent $25,000 to screen applicants and only 12 tested positive. In Florida, 108 tested positive of more than 4,000 who submitted to drug testing.

BS, the ONLY way this is true is because just knowing they were going to be tested filtered out the drug users in advance.

Schaffer said the number of welfare applicants using drugs is likely higher because many don’t return to be tested

That makes more sense.

Applicants who indicate they have not used drugs would not be tested.

This makes NO sense. Gee, I wonder if they will lie? Duh. You can be drug tested for a job but not for welfare? You are volunteering for both, it's not being demanded you take the job or welfare. This country is in a free fall.

[aimhigh]

Applicants who indicate they have not used drugs would not be tested.

Drug users are so honest, this shouldn't be a problem. /sarc/

The same tact is taken when is comes to citizenship. If they say they are citizens, they aren't checked.

[FreedomOfExpression]

Everywhere else they tried this, it turned out that the government spent more on the tests than they saved by kicking a few people off the rolls.

Any links or examples you can point to?

[Maceman]

Everywhere else they tried this, it turned out that the government spent more on the tests than they saved by kicking a few people off the rolls.

Do you have any sources to support that statement? I'm not saying it couldn't be true, but if it is, I find it very counter-intuitive.

If nothing else, it would send the message that Welfare isn't a "right," and that there is SOME level of responsibility required to qualify for it.

[steve86]

Utah spent $25,000 to screen applicants and only 12 tested positive. In Florida, 108 tested positive of more than 4,000 who submitted to drug testing.

Most FReepers will miss this reality check.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“Under his proposal, applicants for Ohio’s welfare program who say they have used drugs in the past six months would have to undergo a drug test.”

This makes the whole effort stoopid and useless!

[Old Yeller]

That’ll go over even worse than requiring voter ID.

[shego]

Any links or examples you can point to?

Florida's welfare drug tests cost more money than state saves, data shows

Only 12 test positive in Utah welfare drug screening