Drug Testing for welfare recipients

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by BaltoAlphaPsi

Is it possible, that that something like this could change the way a percentage of people look at welfare and unemployment? I think so.

There are lots of types of unemployment, and lots of ways that people can get it. There are plenty of people using welfare/unemployment the way it was intended... to help for a few months getting from one job, to the next. but there are lots of people all over the place, in the city, in the suburbs, that are using it for their own greed.

This is an experience my friend had in his 5 years at K-mart in a Detroit suburb...
"what really bugged me was when I was ringing people up, the sheer number of customers who would use their food stamps to buy milk, bread, eggs and all the staple food items. But then they would buy a $300.00 fishing pole, or $500.00 worth of video games and consoles, or a $1,000 TV. but when it came to paying for the TV they'd pull a huge wad of $100.00 bills out of their coat pocket, or purse and act like it was nothing to carry around 1,000's of dollars in bills. I would see the same people all the time, and there were so many that did that..... now try to tell me they aren't doing and dealing drugs!"


I'm sorry to sound selfish ... or unsympathetic.... but why should I, a law abiding citizen... give my well earned money to someone who breaks the law with drugs time and time again?? I'm pretty broke, putting myself though college with some help from my parents. I would love to help those that need help, but they gotta be law abiding before I give a rats ass about their drug problems. My taxes aren't going toward buying their drugs, that's just bull.

Let me add to that (because when I was in undergrad I worked in a shoe store so 1st of the month <Mother's Day as we called it> was always our busiest of course!) by saying these same few individuals who would drop dollars on these expensive items are the same ones living in subsidized housing with rent and bills under $100 dollars and WON'T pay them and before you know it, are getting evicted!

I mean come on if you live in a house and all you have to pay is 20 bucks for rent, how the HELL do you fall behind on that???????

If you owe 10 dollars on your Gas and Electric bill, how do you let that slide for 5 months and wonder why your lights are out?

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Let me add to that (because when I was in undergrad I worked in a shoe store so 1st of the month <Mother's Day as we called it> was always our busiest of course!) by saying these same few individuals who would drop dollars on these expensive items are the same ones living in subsidized housing with rent and bills under $100 dollars and WON'T pay them and before you know it, are getting evicted!

I mean come on if you live in a house and all you have to pay is 20 bucks for rent, how the HELL do you fall behind on that???????

If you owe 10 dollars on your Gas and Electric bill, how do you let that slide for 5 months and wonder why your lights are out?

Hmm. I am torn on this one. My babysitter recieves some government aid- mainly food stamps and heath insurance through a State of Indiana program. I have to say, she is a great mom, both to her own daughter and my sons (otherwise she would be watching them). However, I was sometimes surprised by some of her purchasing decisions.
I started mentoring her about a year ago and we actually went over some of the bigger issues- such at buying $200 shoes instead of paying the rent. I think she just needed some guidance. Someone to say "what the h*ll?" on some purchases and to help her make a budget. Now she clips coupons, buys store brands if they are comparable and cheaper, and has saved up enough for a new to her car. And she sees the results- while wearing $45 shoes!
As for the drug screens, I don't have a huge problem with it- it would keep lab staff employed- however I wonder how often they would need this. If it is a working poor, then taking off work to take a monthly drug test would be a hardship.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

Hmm. I am torn on this one. My babysitter recieves some government aid- mainly food stamps and heath insurance through a State of Indiana program. I have to say, she is a great mom, both to her own daughter and my sons (otherwise she would be watching them). However, I was sometimes surprised by some of her purchasing decisions.
I started mentoring her about a year ago and we actually went over some of the bigger issues- such at buying $200 shoes instead of paying the rent. I think she just needed some guidance. Someone to say "what the h*ll?" on some purchases and to help her make a budget. Now she clips coupons, buys store brands if they are comparable and cheaper, and has saved up enough for a new to her car. And she sees the results- while wearing $45 shoes!
As for the drug screens, I don't have a huge problem with it- it would keep lab staff employed- however I wonder how often they would need this. If it is a working poor, then taking off work to take a monthly drug test would be a hardship.

She is one of a rare few.