Wednesday, January 17, 2007

The drug/welfare conundrum. Compassion vs. Anger.

Here is a letter to the editor that pretty much splits liberals and conservatives. People in Oregon are sounding more like people in Idaho who are sounding like people in Utah who are…….

I have a question, not only for Douglas County, but for the entire state of Oregon. Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me, I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they seem fit. In order for me to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test, which I have no problem with.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who do not have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to go earn it for them? Please understand that I have nothing against helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sit on their butt. Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

Leonard Wilson
Riddle, Oregon

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the tattoo theory myself, or the chip--as they say....

Funny, seems like every one wants to regulate something--to control...

They believe that their political ideology is the ut most--and we will show you the way...

So, time to grab the horns and regulate, regulate, regulate.

Now I ask you--how do you feel, I mean, to be regulated. to be controlled on a daily basis by another political faction, mmmmmm, I don't think so....

Anonymous said...

Mr. Wilson, who accepts the humiliation of having to submit to urinalysis in order to keep his crappy job, simply wants to "go home and kick the dog," by subjecting perceived social inferiors to the same.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I can't agree with previous posters this time. Accountability in recovery programs is what's missing. You're recovered and don't have to go to jail now for a drug crime? Prove it!

Anonymous said...

If anyone is going to be drug tested, it should be that cocaine addict George W. Bush.

Anonymous said...

This topic is too hot to handle. Compassion is good, but not on my dime!

Anonymous said...

Merl Harpham said:

"Just about everyone whom I dealt with in the encampments was receiving supplemental security income or general relief. Many of those I talked to would tell me they were going to get a room when their checks came in on the first of the month. About the third of the month I would again find them in an encampment and their money gone. Many people have to take drug tests to get a job or hold a job. Yet, these folks are handed free money and no accountability. The SSI Web site says that the money is to be used for housing, clothing and meals, not drugs."

Well there you go.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how many people on SSI could pass a drug test. Some that have come here to be on the dole might go somewhere else and that might even get rid of some of the users of meth and possibly their dealer if there was no one to sell to.

There is a state on the east coast that only hands out money for 6 months and you have to go to job training to get the money and have a job in 6 months. They will pay for child care while in job training and a place for you to live also but no job no more money.

Anonymous said...

What is so bad about asking people who are in recovery to pass a pee test? Leonard Wilson has every right to ask why he has to and 'they' don't!

Most of us are Leonard Wilsons-I can only guess but people on public assistance don't have computers to blog in their spare time. Or did we do that for 'them' too?

Anonymous said...

Why just people in recovery, why cant we ask every single person under 40 recieving SSI or General Relief be urine tested? Most people in recovery have jobs, it is the people who are not in recovery that are using drugs and taking money from us tax payers. If you are recieving free money you should at least not be using illegal Narcotics, um' duh'?

Anonymous said...

Face it, people.

The War on Drugs is over.

Drugs won.

Anonymous said...

Sad but true.