Unemployed & Drug Tests?

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "So who's going to pay for all the drug tests?"

The money saved on denied benefits would offset the testing costs.

[bailey]

Not only should they be drug tested, but they should be put to work, even if it's just picking up litter or mowing the grass.

Then what do you do with the guy who's job it was to pick up litter and mow the grass you just put out of work by assigning that job to a person getting UI?

[ghettopalmetto]

Quote: "So who's going to pay for all the drug tests?"

The money saved on denied benefits would offset the testing costs.

Show analysis, please. I'd hate anyone to think you're just guessing.

But then again, I thought you opposed federal intervention into state matters and peoples' personal lives. How do you justify support of this bill?


And then, of course, there's the issue of Orrin Hatch's hypocrisy. He wants to "save money" by denying unemployment insurance to people who actually need it. But he voted for $1.3 trillion in tax cuts--the bulk of which went to the top 5% of income earners in the United States [[i.e. people who aren't in danger of starving). In 2008, he supported making those same tax cuts permanent--at a cost of another $2.2 trillion.

The GOP can shove their "fiscal conservatism" up their self-righteous phony-Christian asses.

http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index...b-a58fe7657a31

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "Then what do you do with the guy who's job it was to pick up litter and mow the grass"

Not sure if you've noticed, but it isn't happening, and if it does it's rare. Go out on I-96 right now, the grass is two feet tall. If that were someone's house, the city would be all over them. It's getting mowed, but maybe twice a year. That grass should be mowed twice per month. Big-time fire hazard.

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "Show analysis, please. I'd hate anyone to think you're just guessing."

let's see, 50 dollar drug test, that may save hundreds thousands in benefits. Don't have to catch very many. I agree with this, if folks are drawing UIA, they should be in a fit position to work when it becomes available. GP you are right though, it's just a guess, as with any gamble, it may not pay off. But if I were betting.. I'd load up on that one.

[ghettopalmetto]

"Too many Americans are locked into a life of a dangerous dependency not only on drugs, but the federal assistance that serves to enable their addiction," Hatch said in announcing the proposal. "This amendment is a way to help people get off of drugs to become productive and healthy members of society, while ensuring that valuable taxpayer dollars aren't wasted."

Wow! Now that I reread this quote, maybe Senator Hatch was talking about Wall Street bankers, oil executives, and lobbyists.

What's next? Maybe to break the cycle of dependency even further, we could make it illegal for a child to use his/her daddy's credit card.

Also, since we're going to spend money drug testing the unemployed--and then presumably lock 'em up in the joint when they fail the test--let's not discriminate based on income. I want Paris Hilton to be the first unemployed person to piss in a cup.

[Detroitnerd]

There are now signs along the border of three counties in Arizona, up to 80 miles from the border, warning Americans to stay out because of well armed drug smugglers operating in the area. Were marijuana a legal drug, like nicotine and alcohol in every state, we wouln't have ceded that territory to druglords. A serious military presence defending the border would also help.

It's my understanding that the narco-wars are the result of the U.S. commanding Mexican forces to militarize the "War on Drugs," with hundreds of deaths as the result. Repeat: Instituting military tactics has turned lots of northern Mexico into a kind of meat grinder.

But, hey, maybe it'll be different if we try militarizing it this time.

[Sstashmoo]

Nobody HAS to smoke marijuana. Someone caught with it here should be sent in to the drug war torn regions there, and let them see what their activity that "doesn't hurt anyone" is doing..

[Detroitnerd]

I'd be happy to comply with drug tests for any situation.

Just as soon as politicians and their families -- as well as any beneficiaries -- are subject to random drug tests. We should know if our taxpayer dollars are "wasted."

[johnsmith]

Someone caught with it here should be sent in to the drug war torn regions there, and let them see what their activity that "doesn't hurt anyone" is doing..

That's just plain silly!

Look at what prohibition of alcohol did for organized crime. Is there organized crime and violence surrounding the production and transport of alcohol today? Nope.

[ghettopalmetto]

I'd be happy to comply with drug tests for any situation.

Just as soon as politicians and their families -- as well as any beneficiaries -- are subject to random drug tests. We should know if our taxpayer dollars are "wasted."

You just don't get it, Detroitnerd.

Giving the wealthy most of a $1.3 trillion tax cut to purchase Bolivian Bouillon is "economic stimulus".

Giving the unemployed money for food and housing is just dirty socialism. Those non-working bastards--it makes you wonder what they're doing with 0.35 Large a week. Where does it all go? I mean, they MUST be buying drugs with it!

[Papasito]

Are politicians required to take drug tests?
Doubt it.

[Detroitnerd]

Are politicians required to take drug tests?
Doubt it.

I'm pretty sure that pols don't have to take those tests. The results would explain way too much of their behavior.

[Patrick]

Who will pay for the tests? They are quite expensive and take a lot of time.

[oladub]

Who will pay for the tests? They are quite expensive and take a lot of time.

I'm opposed to the Hatch proposal for 4th. Amendment reasons as mentioned in post #11. However, I doubt that expense is much of a factor. Once, when I applied for a life insurance policy, the insurance company's nurse showed up at my house with a fifteen minutes notice, took a blood sample, urine, and some other measurements and was on her way. It turned out that the tests measured for nicotine and some other recreational drugs. The insurance company didn't want to take my word for it. Mass samplings billed to one agency, or even taken by that agency would bring the per test cost down. Being able to cut one person off of benefits would pay for a lot of volume rate tests.

An unrelated thought. Orrin hatch is a Mormon representing a Mormon state. Since strict Mormons don't even drink alcohol or coffee, this might sound more reasonable in Utah. As a side note: "Hatch assisted R&B producer Dallas Austin's release from Dubai following a conviction for [[cocaine) possession. -wikipedia

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "Look at what prohibition of alcohol did for organized crime."

There was a much larger demand for alcohol, most people wanted it legalized, not many people want pot legalized. It's too easy to conceal and use without detection. I can tell if my coworker is drinking. I can't tell they're high until they forget to pull a lever and kill me or someone else.

[Detroitej72]

Quote: "So who's going to pay for all the drug tests?"

The money saved on denied benefits would offset the testing costs.

Can somebody show proof that there is rampant drug use among the unemployed? This sounds like more phony conservative rhetoric to distract people from real issues.

[Detroitej72]

There was a much larger demand for alcohol, most people wanted it legalized, not many people want pot legalized. It's too easy to conceal and use without detection. I can tell if my coworker is drinking. I can't tell they're high until they forget to pull a lever and kill me or someone else.

That sentence speaks volumes. Pot is far less dangerous than alcohol, yet it is the substance that is banned. People need to wake up and realize their being duped.

[jerrytimes]

Can somebody show proof that there is rampant drug use among the unemployed? This sounds like more phony conservative rhetoric to distract people from real issues.

I don't think that there is rampant drug use among the unemployed, but people shouldn't receive government benefits and use them to buy illegal narcotics. I also love how someone earlier threw in the 'tea party mentality' thing. It doesn't have anything to do with that, it's all about common sense.

[Detroitej72]

It doesn't have anything to do with that, it's all about common sense.

If common sense were used, we wouldn't be sending all our manufacturing jobs overseas. During WWII, Detroit produced the artillery to win the was, are we going to buy our weapons from China?

America needs to say screw the global mentality, American jobs first.

[rb336]

not many people want pot legalized.

Recent CBS poll put it at 44% pro-legalization, 51% against, 5% not sure, margin of error +-3%, which makes it damn close to a dead heat. no matter how you slice it, that is NOT "not many people"

[maxx]

Quote: "Show analysis, please. I'd hate anyone to think you're just guessing."

let's see, 50 dollar drug test, that may save hundreds thousands in benefits.

But then you have to throw them in the clink. OTOH, Republicans know that prisons are big business, both the construction and the running of them. And that's not to mention the prison industries. All that cheap labor. Makes a capitalist's mouth water.

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "Recent CBS poll"

They know whom to call to get the numbers they need to make a good story.

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "But then you have to throw them in the clink."

I think the testing was to verify eligibility??? Not to round them up

[Ray1936]

I'd like to see a drug test for all members of congress.