Utah Welfare now drug testing

[Guest]

I do have one other thought.....

How is welfare "abuse" that different than the rich business tycoons who use all the loop holes of the financial laws/policies/codes to avoid paying taxes?

If the government would run things like the welfare program and tithing, we wouldn't be having this conversation. :)

One is legal, the other one is illegal. Drug use is, of course, the illegal one.

[Backroads]

anne, I'm now thinking of the Big Bang Theory episode where Amy and Sheldon shared an awkward cuddle and thinking of you!

[talisyn]

The difference is that it's their money. They're doing everything they can to minimize the amount the government robs from them (and make no mistake, taxes are nothing short of robbery by the government). Welfare abusers are not working or producing anything. They are providing no jobs to others.

The "greedy" business owners want to make more money for themselves. If you are running a business, you don't make more money by playing Scrooge McDuck and putting it all in a money bin. You take all of it that you can and expand your business. You hire more people to do the work, and you pay them. They then turn around and spend that money, and enrich other "greedy" people who turn around and take that money and do the same thing.

Where to start....seriously, idk where to even start.

[talisyn]

9 Investigates: Welfare Drug Testing | www.wftv.com

This article sums up what's going on in Florida. A few things: the applicants pay for their own drug testing, reimbursed at a later time if the drug test is negative. the cost is $30-40. IDK about anyone else, but when I was at my poorest and seriously contemplating asking for help that $30-40 would have been HUGE. And, I did not know Idaho did this as well. I'll have to investigate to see what our numbers look

I've never been asked to pay for any pre-employment drug screening. has anyone had to pay for theirs?

[annewandering]

Where to start....seriously, idk where to even start.

I am thinking the same thing, talisyn. Or continue in my case.

So on drug users just going to another county to apply. Well the thing is you have to be a resident. Now it may look easy on the face of it for them to do that but you are forgetting a small problem. Or a big one if you are moneyless. It takes a huge amount of money to move and might even take more if you have llttle or no credit which many/most really poor people dont have. If they had the money they probably wouldnt need to apply for welfare at all. It's a lot cheaper to go on the internet and get a drug test fake results kit.

[Guest]

9 Investigates: Welfare Drug Testing | www.wftv.com

This article sums up what's going on in Florida. A few things: the applicants pay for their own drug testing, reimbursed at a later time if the drug test is negative. the cost is $30-40. IDK about anyone else, but when I was at my poorest and seriously contemplating asking for help that $30-40 would have been HUGE. And, I did not know Idaho did this as well. I'll have to investigate to see what our numbers look

I've never been asked to pay for any pre-employment drug screening. has anyone had to pay for theirs?

Yep, Talisyn. This is one of the reasons my husband and I did not approve of the drug testing. Also, there's no provision for drug treatment assistance, so those who test positive - who are obviously in dire straits as needing welfare - has the hurdle of having to overcome the problem from a very disadvantaged position.

[ClickyClack]

Addiction is a tough, tough thing. Anyone who thinks that addicts are going to give up their addiction just because the welfare isn't coming are completely wrong.

A better route would be to require counseling and rehab for them in order to keep receiving benefits.

[Backroads]

I don't like the idea of applicants paying for their own drug tests--defeats the purpose. I'd rather it come out of the state's pocket--if it's financially feasible to do so.

[NeuroTypical]

How is welfare "abuse" that different than the rich business tycoons who use all the loop holes of the financial laws/policies/codes to avoid paying taxes?

Oh that's easy.

Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which best pays the treasury. There is not even a patriotic duty to increase one's taxes. Over and over again the Courts have said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everyone does it, rich and poor alike and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands.

- Judge Leland Hand, US Court of Appeals, 1935

Of course, in the arena of negative-word games, talk of "rich business tycoons" equates pretty well to talk of "deadbeat welfare queens".

[bytor2112]

How is welfare "abuse" that different than the rich business tycoons who use all the loop holes of the financial laws/policies/codes to avoid paying taxes?

Well, one party is operating within the law and the other is operating outside of the law.

[Echo2002]

I agree, an addict is not going to give up drugs just so they can get welfare. If the government made rehab a stipulation for addicts before receiving funds, who is going to pay for the rehab? Rehab only works if that person wants to stop the addiction.

I don't think I've had to pay for a pre-employment drug screen.

I also agree with whoever said that the welfare system creates dependency. We talked about this in a political science class, the professor happened to be Conservative. They were only allowed to have a small amount of money in their savings, and if you got a job and made X amount of money the government would cut you off completely regardless if it was enough to cover all your bills. I think it should be a gradual process, as that person makes more money, the government funds should be decreased to where they eventually are not receiving anything. I also think classes on budgeting and other basic life skills should be taught to all welfare recipients.

[Guest]

I don't like the idea of applicants paying for their own drug tests--defeats the purpose. I'd rather it come out of the state's pocket--if it's financially feasible to do so.

In Florida, the drug test is re-imbrused by the State if you pass the test. If you fail it, you won't. It makes sense because if you're a drug user, going through the drug-test is basically just hoping the test will fail.

My only problem with it is the people applying for welfare will have to come up with the money in the first place.

[Backroads]

In Florida, the drug test is re-imbrused by the State if you pass the test. If you fail it, you won't. It makes sense because if you're a drug user, going through the drug-test is basically just hoping the test will fail.

My only problem with it is the people applying for welfare will have to come up with the money in the first place.

And that's what kind of bothers me.

[HoosierGuy]

I'm all for testing those on Welfare, as long as we test others on other Welfare programs like farm subsides and big corporate tax breaks.