Florida welfare benefit drug test law blocked

I am conflicted. On one hand, someone who is receiving assistance at the expense of...me...well, I would like to know for sure that it does not go to someone who needs that assistance because they squander their other means on drugs. However, having said that, they are only testing for ILLEGAL drugs...and the ones that cost most people the most are the legal ones...cigarettes and booze. But you can drink as much as you want, and smoke as much as you want, on state assistance programs. Which I find to be a slap to my face....however...

I also feel that what someone does in their own home is their own damn business. That goes for the job market, as well. I don't like being told what I can or can't do while I'm not at work, BY my work. I understand what they do this...in order to avoid trouble AT work. But I feel like I say this a lot around here...punish the crime that's committed, not the crime that MIGHT be committed. Fire me for showing up to work high, or for doing a poor job due to being strung out, or something. Don't fire me because I might want to smoke a little dope at home, while not on the clock.

But whatever. This is no surprise to me.

radcen said:

Translation: :doh

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How so? That doesnt even make sense.

Cold Highway said:

This whole thing was a ruse to begin with. All it was doing was putting a band aid on a problem that needs surgery. Like the War on Drugs, the War on Poverty/Great Society has failed epically, the only solution to the welfare problem is nixing it entirely.

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That's crazy because all the numbers I've seen have shown poverty rates decreasing drastically since the 1950's.

iliveonramen said:

That's crazy because all the numbers I've seen have shown poverty rates decreasing drastically since the 1950's.

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I haven't checked this out yet, but it appeared in a google search and I thoughtthe similarity to your post was worth noting

More Americans living in poverty in 2010 than since 1950s: Census | TopNews

Simon W. Moon said:

I haven't checked this out yet, but it appeared in a google search and I thoughtthe similarity to your post was worth noting

More Americans living in poverty in 2010 than since 1950s: Census | TopNews

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Sure, the total number is higher but the rates are much lower. In the 1950's it was around 22% of Americans, now it's closer to 15% in the middle of a recession.

Frolicking Dinosaurs said:

A Florida law requiring people seeking welfare benfits to take a drug test has been blocked by a US federal court.

The judge ruled that the law was unconstitutional and infringes a ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

Since the law was introduced in July, nearly 1,600 people have refused to take the test, according to reports.

Under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families scheme those who pass receive $180 (£113) a month, while a family of four receives $364 a month.

While 32 people have failed the test, some 7,000 have passed since the testing began in mid-July, the Associated Press reports......

Judge Mary Scriven ruled on a complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Luis Lebron, a 35-year-old Navy veteran and single father who applied for the welfare benefits but would not take the drugs test. He applied for benefits while attending university and cares for his four-year-old son and disabled mother./QUOTE]

BBC News - Florida welfare benefit drug test law blocked

Guess this is finally going to start winding its way toward the SCOTUS.

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I somewhat doubt that this will actually go to the SCOTUS.

However, I think this law wastes more taxpayer money than it seeks to save.

Simon W. Moon said:

I haven't checked this out yet, but it appeared in a google search and I thoughtthe similarity to your post was worth noting

More Americans living in poverty in 2010 than since 1950s: Census | TopNews

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Definition of poverty has also changed.

Ikari said:

Or if you're a huge corporation and get a lot of subsidies and/or tax write offs. They don't make you pee for that one either.

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Since when does a real libertarian believe it's the Government's money? Of course the key word is 'real'.

Ironically, most drugs are out of the system in a couple of days. A crack head can go in clean in less than a few days, while someone who smokes pot has it in their system for up to two months.

As a career tractor trailer driver, who has underwent random testing my entire career, as well as in the Army, I say if you can't test the freeloaders, then you can't test me either. Won't that make you feel safe on the highway....be sure to wave as you pass....heh, heh....

j-mac

j-mac said:

As a career tractor trailer driver, who has underwent random testing my entire career, as well as in the Army, I say if you can't test the freeloaders, then you can't test me either. Won't that make you feel safe on the highway....be sure to wave as you pass....heh, heh....

j-mac

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As that driver, though, it's not uncle sam making you pee in a cup, it's the people you work for.

But wait...if you are a private contractor, do you still have to do pee tests? If so, that would be state or federally mandated, right?

Either way, honestly, I don't believe you should have to take a drug test, I really don't. Fact is, it's what you do while AT WORK that I care about. If you get high at home, what do I care, so long as it does not affect your ability to do you r job safely and well...