Let's Fight about Politics Some More

[Superman]

Couple of observations. We have a candidate here who is pretending to be centrist and (hopefully) nobody is buying it. Recently, he suggested we acopt legislation that would require random drug testing for welfare recipients who have children. Failed drug tests would mean elimination of their benefits, and failure of enough drug tests would mean the State would take their children away. Brilliant plan?

Another observation: In most states, blacks are half as likely as whites to complete college. In some states, the odds are half that figure. Blacks are far more likely to get tossed into jail, etc. Some might call this a "pattern." If this is a "pattern," then some folks might be interested in understanding this pattern better. Some might even have the audacity to imagine that if we understand the pattern, then there might be some action that can be taken. Bad idea, or good idea?

[Superman]

Specifically, I would ask this question: If we implement the drug testing plan for welfare recipients, would you expect this will save you money?

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Superman
Specifically, I would ask this question: If we implement the drug testing plan for welfare recipients, would you expect this will save you money?

Don't they do this with airline pilots already?

[Superman]

Airline pilots are not allowed to have kids.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Superman
Airline pilots are not allowed to have kids.

Airline pilots on drugs aren't allowed to have airplanes.

Automobile drivers on booze aren't allowed to drive (legaly).

[DaveE]

I used to work for a railroad and was subject to random drug testing. I was required to be randomly tested 4 times a year and frankly I found it insulting. I understood the reason forit but that didn't help. Maybe we should give random breatholizer tests to politicians too. After all, the good of the country could depend on how drunk they are during a vote.

[RoninLB]

many Black opinion leaders have hijacked liberty and opportunity to enforce entitlement. In many areas of NYC education is a "whitey thing".

This culture of separation is enforced by the judiciary and white guilt.

[Rikao4]

Well if your positive on a DT, and are getting WF..your getting to much $,
so cut it by a 1/4 . And on the next test your choice ,we can go 1/2, or restore
I know ,fantasy...
Rika

[widebody911]

Originally posted by DaveE
Maybe we should give random breatholizer tests to politicians too. After all, the good of the country could depend on how drunk they are during a vote.

This is a non-starter: it would end both the Kennedy and Bush dynasties

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Rikao4
Well if your positive on a DT, and are getting WF..your getting to much $,
so cut it by a 1/4 . And on the next test your choice ,we can go 1/2, or restore

What gets me is seeing somoene pay for groceries with foodstamps, and then buy a carton of cigaretts with cash. If you have cash for cigs, you have cash for groceries, bitch!

[MichiganMat]

Drivin' that train... high on cocaine...

[speeder]

Easy there, the way the economy is pointing I might want to get high and go on welfare.

[Scooter]

Who's the candidate?

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by DaveE
Maybe we should give random breatholizer tests to politicians too. After all, the good of the country could depend on how drunk they are during a vote.

Didn't Ronald Regan want to test the house and congress? IIRC their answer was to send him a cup.

[Tim Hancock]

IMO, welfare should only provide a minimal existance. IMO, the best way to motivate folks to get off welfare, is to make it less comfortable for them.

While there are truly many needy people in this country, there are also plenty of lazy system abusers out there too.

[teenerted1]

Originally posted by Scooter
Who's the candidate?

looks like you weren't listening to the news yesterday
http://www.mikemcgavick.com/

[gaijindabe]

Taking someone's kids is a high bar to jump over. Eliminating benfits is one thing and taking kids away is something else entirely. Are you sure you got the story strait?

Part II -

"....if we understand the pattern, then there might be some action that can be taken. Bad idea, or good idea?"

Like thses issues have not been studied to death already? The question is - whose studies and whose conclusions are you going to use?

Zillions more in school funding and more afirmative action? No thanks. School choice? Bring it on.

[MichiganMat]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
IMO, welfare should only provide a minimal existance. IMO, the best way to motivate folks to get off welfare, is to make it less comfortable for them.

While there are truly many needy people in this country, there are also plenty of lazy system abusers out there too.

Yeah, try finding work in rural Indiana. Welfare and food stamps kept me fed and warm for a many a month after my parents divorce. No doubt it was bad planning on my Moms part to get an Art degree in college instead of something more useful, but thank God theres something for poor folks to rely on when things go bad.

[pbs911]

A law school professor told my class that the number of blacks incarcerated is a result of the police arresting a disproportional number of blacks v. white. BS.

If you really want to save money on welfare, get rid of it.

[Evans, Marv]

I agree with Tim. Plus, on the recent thread about this subject, I posted a rather lengthy rant.
Mat, I'd like to ask you if you are still on welfare? Or did you use it to get you through a down period as it was intended for until you got on your feet again?
Welfare is intended to help people through temporary periods in their lives until they can get into a position where they can be SELF SUFFICIENT (those were the big buzzwords when I worked in the system). I totally agree with that. Like many huge beaurocracies, the people running them & working in them also have a stake in perpetuating them - which does a lot to promote dependency on both sides, the providers and the recipients.