Let me start off by saying, I am simply not a drug user. I think they're stupid and pointless, and I've seen a lot of lives ruined as a result of their use. And I don't just mean illegal drugs; I also rarely drink; sometimes a glass of wine or beer, but I haven't even done that in a couple of years.
That said, I also see the "drug war" as complete bullshit; a complete waste of time that probably ruins more lives than the drugs themselves. No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to protect people from themselves, so it's largely a waste of time, money and energy to even try, at least when it comes to using the law to do so.
It's time to legalize, regulate and tax most illegal drugs. But in the meantime, there is some nasty shit going on in some of the usual states that are famous for their draconian bullshit.
I don't know if you've heard, but at least four states are looking at implementing regulations that require those receiving state or federal assistance, such as welfare, food stamps and Medicaid, to pass a drug test in order to receive their check.
Yes, you read that right; four states are looking at legislation that would require poor people who need government assistance to take drug tests to get the pittance the states and federal government pays them to help their families through the rough times. Keep a couple of things in mind as you think about this; 98% of welfare recipients receive welfare for one year or less. That means, the vast majority of welfare recipients will pay far more in taxes throughout their life than they will ever be paid in welfare.
Once more; MOST welfare recipients are getting THEIR OWN MONEY back when they receive welfare. Over their working lives, MOST welfare recipients will pay far more INTO the system than they will take out of it. Got that? In other words, geniuses, it's not YOUR MONEY! So, unless you want to create a system in which you're drug tested every time you're due a tax refund or a Social Security check, get that out of your head right now.
What's more shocking is the number of people I know -- all of them people who claim to be strong Christians and who throw Bible verses at me on a regular basis -- who think this is just a peachy idea.
Just when I think this country has gotten as low as it can go, someone goes and proves me wrong. This is just a stupid idea on so many levels, it's hard to know exactly which one to choose first
One person actually cited the "fact" that people who have jobs have to take drug tests, so why shouldn't welfare recipients? Well, first of all, it's not actually a "fact;" not everyone has to take a drug test. It's only mandatory when it comes to government jobs that directly impact public safety. If your fast food, supermarket or office job requires a drug test to get hired, that is their choice; it's not a government mandate. I have never taken a drug test for employment in my life, for example. I'm not saying I wouldn't, but given a choice between an employer that requires one and one that doesn't, I'll choose the one that doesn't, based on principle, unless I apply for a job that involves public safety, which is highly unlikely. And that's despite the fact that I have never use illegal drugs. Sometimes, it's the principle.
What's strange is, these bills have largely been proposed by teabaggers who claim they're all in favor of the Constitution and its principles. Apparently, they haven't looked at it very closely, because in order for the government to ask for a urine sample, or even a hair sample, they would require probable cause.
You see, folks, according to our Constitution, especially our Bill of Rights, citizens never have to prove their innocence; the government is required to prove your guilt in order to penalize you. If someone comes into the welfare office to apply for their family, and is obviously under the influence of crystal meth or crack, and a government worker decides to turn them in to the police, out of concern for others, that's enough probable cause to demand a drug test. But that's not what any of these bills does. All of them require the recipient to pass a drug test to get money they're entitled to; their own money, no less. The simple fact that they're poor and out of work and need money for their family does not qualify as "probable cause" to force them to prove they're not druggies.
But this idea isn't just unconstitutional, it's also profoundly stupid and cruel.
It will cost a shitload of money; probably far more than it would save. Imagine if they drug tested everyone who received state aid; how much would that cost? Of course, if they don't test everyone, it will probably cost even more. For example, the Kentucky bill makes drug testing "random," in order to scare recipients into staying clean. Well, given that it's likely that almost no welfare recipients are actually taking illegal drugs on a regular basis, and people go on and off state assistance constantly, how likely is it that such a "scattershot" approach would work anyway?
In other words, drug testing will cost a lot of money, a huge number of lawsuits are likely to be filed, which will cost even more. The only way to break even would be to recover a lot of money from a lot of people. They will also have to put an appeals process in place, and put the benefits in escrow while the numerous appeals (if this sort of thing actually works). Given that the total AFDC and food stamp benefits to the average poor family total far less than $1000 each month in the states considering these bills, and each drug test is likely to cost $100 or more, how much might they actually save? Do the math; 10% of welfare recipients would have to come up positive on the drug test AND that decision would have to be upheld by the appeals process. And since alcohol is legal, drunks would actually PASS a drug test.
But worse than that, it's cruel. People who get AFDC welfare payments are profoundly poor, have no job prospects at all, and have families to support. The people getting welfare have children, usually small children, and they don't want welfare, they need it. Suppose such an initiative is successful, and removes a parent from the welfare rolls, and denies them money to feed their kids for a month or two? What then? And what about the ones who are "only" drunks? Does it seem basically fair and just that we give a roaring drunk all of her checks, while denying money to a woman with a trace of marijuana in her system?
As I see it, the poor are under enough stress as it is. They already get enough shit just for being poor. Welfare doesn't cost that much, and it also doesn't pay that much. The vast majority of those on welfare are on welfare because they're single mothers with multiple kids and who receive no child support or alimony. If you really want them off welfare, how about providing them with child care and/or an education, so that they can go out and compete for jobs? How about making a greater effort to track down and smack deadbeat parents?
Why do we always have to pick on the poor? And why do some folks act like it's something to be proud of? I don't know about the rest of you, but I was always taught that picking on people who are already on the ropes is a cruelty that borders on inhuman. I keep hearing how we're a "Christian nation," and an overwhelming majority of Americans count themselves as "Christian," but idiots propose this sort of shit, and the people offering the loudest support claim to be "Christian."
Well, let me ask you; do you honestly think Jesus would approve of forcing the poor to prove they're not criminals in order to get help? Do you imagine that Jesus would approve of denying children basic food and shelter because their parent has an addiction, or smokes pot to relax because she can't afford to buy "only" beer? Do you think he's approve of "bearing false witness" against the poor, and forcing them to prove that the witness is actually false? If so, then stop listening to other "Christians" and start reading your Bible, because the answer to all of the above is "No. No he would not."
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" -- Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:40 (NIV) )
You'd make Jesus Christ take a drug test in order to receive basic food and shelter?
I'm sick of this shit, folks, and you should be, too. The "drug war" is just a complete waste of time in the first place. But to saddle the poor with even more to have to worry about is just plain pathetic. At what point do we become ashamed of ourselves as a nation? If any of these bills passes, they will probably be ruled unconstitutional by the courts. But the fact that people think doing such a thing is a good idea in the first place is just shameful.
