Do you think people who apply for welfare should be required to take a drug and urine test?

republicanbabe23
#1. June 26th, 2009, at 12:05 AM.

Absolutely. Welfare is not to support a drug or drinking problem.

Chance20_m
#2. June 26th, 2009, at 2:05 PM.

Sure, why not? As long as we make sure the kids aren’t punished for the parents idiocy.

That said, a lot of taxpayers are on drugs too. In the end it probably balances out that their taxes cover the druggie welfare recipiants. Might as well leave well enough alone.

tgatecrasher2003
#3. June 26th, 2009, at 5:59 PM.

i wouldn’t oppose that to make sure we weren’t giving them extra money to use and abuse

danksquish
#4. June 27th, 2009, at 8:32 AM.

That’s actually a great idea. You should email the organization.

AveGirl
#5. June 27th, 2009, at 11:21 PM.

Good idea…but how about not giving welfare or medical benefits to illegals.

schazjmd
#6. July 2nd, 2009, at 2:37 AM.

First off, it would be incredibly expensive and time-consuming.

Second, most welfare programs are intended to primarily or indirectly benefit children – the point being that society has determined that it isn’t going to let children starve because their parents fail to provide for them. It’s a bit hypocritical to then say it’s okay to let children starve if their parents use drugs.

glen b
#7. July 5th, 2009, at 10:44 AM.

Absolutely, this may help curb unwanted patrons seeking handouts.

Wayne L
#8. July 9th, 2009, at 11:10 PM.

Great idea…that we will never see because someone will say that is taking away peoples rights.

jezz

me2
#9. July 10th, 2009, at 5:31 AM.

Yes, and if they fail the test they should enter a mandatory drug abuse class, and need to be tested on a on going bases

TaxMaven
#10. July 11th, 2009, at 7:21 AM.

No. I think instead the federal & state governments ought to get out of the business of operating a freaking charity with MY (& YOUR) tax dollars. It is not my responsibility to support any other human being on this earth. I am called to charity by Christ; I am pressed into it by Government. I think the gov’t should get out of 90% of the crap it does. Then they could abolish the personal income tax. That would give us (the people) a FORTUNE to give, invest & spend. This would stimulate the economy tremendously. Also, individuals helping individuals are much more likely to be in a position to know whether someone is just having a tough year or whether s/he is a junkie/deadbeat/cheat/irresponsible person.

Ron Paul in ‘08! Abolish the IRS!

bbj1776
#11. July 13th, 2009, at 5:02 AM.

Yes, I get tested at work, so why should they not be tested before and during welfare payment. My taxs money should not be used to buy drugs.

rukidding
#12. July 14th, 2009, at 2:27 AM.

Sounds like a good idea.

Pretty_Trini_Rican
#13. July 15th, 2009, at 4:09 AM.

Maybe we should make all the college students that receive stafford loans take drug and alcohol tests too. That money is funded by the gov’t too.

Or how about farmers that receive subsidies from the Dept. of Agriculture, shall we make them take tests too?

Is your issue that these people don’t work, for one reason or another, or that they are receiving money from the gov’t.

I can assure you that less than half of one percent of monies you pay in taxes go to Federally funded programs. Do you get a refund on your taxes or do you get tax breaks, maybe we should make you take a test too.

bekki1706
#14. July 16th, 2009, at 7:38 AM.

yes! yes! yes!

and yet again…yes!

and welfare shouldn’t be a forever thing either….nope! you get help a short period of time…then to work with you! or if you are going to college…and you have above a C average…okay… you get public assistance…. for the 4 years it takes you to get a degree….4 years..no longer….

but if you are sitting your butt at home…watchin’ soaps and eatin’ bon bons…honey! that is my tax money …and you should be cut off….

if you are able bodied…you need to work…period…end of story…and don’t tell me there are not jobs….there are if you are looking…and not afraid to get dirty….

SXI BLK QUEEN
#15. July 19th, 2009, at 3:17 AM.

No. why not check their criminal background all together that’s personal business. I know that the welfare is helping and the money should be used for what the governmeant says it is ment for. I understand what your saying but if totally feel that’s invasion of privacy. If they want to break the law and use the money for something negative so be it.

cosmic_challenges_mom
#16. July 20th, 2009, at 9:34 PM.

ABOLUTELY YES!

Yes, if the druggies weren’t getting benefits and were taken off the assistance lists it would allow help for families who need support to start or look for work and/or finish a degree. Families who work can therefore pay back into the system via taxes and keep helping other poor families REALLY escape poverty.

My brothers and families get tons of help in 25 years of abusing drugs, alcohol, etc. I get divorced and need help for one year to finish my degree and I can’t get the help I need. And yet I’ve never done drugs, abused alcohol or had kids out of wedlock. It’s sooooooo wrong…….

Douglas R
#17. July 23rd, 2009, at 2:52 PM.

I don’t think they should have to be tested as a general rule. I do think that when they go on public assistance their right to vote should be suspended. They should also be required to be training for a job. I don’t care which job, ditch digger,auto mechanic brain surgeon. Show the aptitude, we train you. Then you complete the training regain your voting privilege and pay back every dime we spent on you.

mad_1240
#18. July 24th, 2009, at 5:22 AM.

yes they need to do something. that my tax money going out
and use on people that can work. if I can go out and work every day that means that person should do the same.

Kaopadgai
#19. July 25th, 2009, at 2:32 AM.

Absolutely not.

Addiction is a medical problem. Let me tell you if you asked an addict if he could choose sobriety and a normal functioning life or welfare and addiction. Not one would choose addiction.

Besides, the amount of money given out for welfare barely covers the cost of rent let alone food for a month.

If you are so concerned about how your tax money is being spent just look at how much your government spends on war.

I’d rather be living in Canada thanks. No guns, WAY less crime, free healthcare, higher wages, less crowded etc. etc.

Pixie Dust
#20. July 26th, 2009, at 12:09 AM.

I think that welfare needs to have a lot of stipulations that go along with it. Not just income requirements. I know several people that are on Welfare and they aren’t doing a darn thing to try and help themselves get off of it.
I think they should have to prove that they are trying to get a job by filling out applications…provide Welfare directors with #’s they can cross reference. Drug tests/ Urine tests should probably be mandatory IF the person has a past history of drug or alcohol abuse or use.
A time limit would be a very wonderful thing so they can not be on welfare for the rest of their lives. I am not against people being on welfare. I AM against people who are on welfare to abuse the program and make it pragmatic for those who truly need the program in their life and are trying to help themselves.

Pronk
#21. July 28th, 2009, at 1:03 PM.

Drug testing people would cost even more tax dollars. Nothing is ever free.

Armygirl91
#22. July 29th, 2009, at 10:32 AM.

Yes, that is a great idea. I also think people on disability should be drug tested. The only people I have ever known who are getting disability are druggies.

I am drug tested at my job, why shouldn’t someone who is soaking up my tax dollars?

nightwing7011
#23. August 2nd, 2009, at 2:58 PM.

I come from a family where my dad (now retired) was the directed of human service (Welfare) for thirty years. In that time, I have witnessed families who really needed the help they received as well as families that I believe are working the system. A drug test is simply not a great option here. However, there are other things we as a society could do to help our fellow human beings be more productive citizens and get off public assistants. Such as require any family (parent) on public assistants to successfully complete a jobs program or GED or two year degree or trade school or four year degree. Show proof that they are in fact attaining such training or schooling, if not forfeit their public assistance. In this way we the tax payer may find that our monies are being spent more wisely.

Boris859
#24. August 5th, 2009, at 7:25 AM.

absolutely yes.I am sick of my tax money being spent for someone to drink and get high.if you want to drink and get high…GET A JOB!!,in fact at the risk of sounding Marxist,I would support a work for welfare program for able bodied applicants,of course those that need it,crippled,mentally challenged,elderly,etc,would be exempt.I have a cousin who is mentally challenged ,she is 43 years old and hasn’t been without a job since she was 17!!!if she can do it,so can they!!

lifesaclassroom
#25. August 7th, 2009, at 2:29 PM.

I could go on and on about this topic but since it is late and i have to be up and at ‘em really early, i will just say YES ABSOLUTELY!!!