A lot is being made of the idea to make welfare recipients take a urine test before receiving their checks. Many people think this is a great idea. I’d be inclined to agree if we were talking about a private business who can absolutely do what they want…but we’re not. We’re talking about the government.
I'm about to take an unpopular position, but being a libertarian leaning conservative, I've had a lot of practice and I'm getting used to it... so bear with me;
I do have a problem with the government testing people in exchange for money. I think it sets a precedent that will be the most slippery of slippery slopes.
It's a spring board into drug testing to get your tax returns back...and after that, maybe testing a full panel screen for the same.
Cholesterol/weight too high? No tax return for YOU. You might spend it on junk food. We'll give you the products we think you need instead.
Nicotine addiction? No return for YOU! You might smoke it up in public causing second hand smoke victims and straining the public health care system. We're spending it on a 12 step program for you.
See where I'm going with that?
By the way, an FYI is in order:
I do not smoke, do not do drugs, do not drink more than a six pack a year, never had an abortion, etc.
I do not advocate anyone else doing these things...but I'm not about to put a gun to your head in the name of the state and tell you that you can't do them either.
9 comments:
I had not thought about it in that way. You have me thinking about it now. You are not supposed to make us think this early in the week. I say cut the program entirely and let local charity groups help.
That would be the way to go, but since we know they won't...why give them any further reach into our private lives?
Good points all.
Dissenter here....
Getting back your tax refund is one thing and I'll agree with your position there. You shouldn't have to do anything to get back the money you loaned the government except to ask for it.
Taking my money (the government dole) is another story. It is no longer your private business if you are asking someone else to pick up the tab for the way you live. If you let someone else pay for your health care, doesn't that someone have a stake in how well you take care of yourself?
Don't want someone telling you how much junk food to eat? Stop asking them to pick up the tab for your lipitor. Don't want someone telling you not to smoke? Don't make them fund your iron lung or radiation therapy.
Pay your own way (get off the dole) and keep them out of your business. Asking the rest of us to pay your bills makes your private business not so private.
Sophia, I agree with your points. My thinking is that the government would use the precedent they set to apply to ALL of us for ANY reason in the future. That's the main reason I'd like to keep them at bay in the "stay outta my bidnezz" arena.
As far as that goes, the government shouldn't even steal our money in the first place...
Nice 'Firefly' reference there, heh. It's scary how much that show is starting to look like the future. And how FAST it's happening. (The only depressing part is that we're not nearly advanced enough to explore and colonize different worlds, and won't be before 'The Alliance' crushes our liberty.
I'm in Sophia's camp. I'm tired of my tax dollars supporting an entire group of people that feel they are entitled to it because of... "excuse du jour". Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves looking at what our nation has become. The work ethic is gone. Funny thing is, if we let faith based organizations help these folks - at least around here, the homeless shelters requires you to pee in a cup before you get a bed for the night. I'm thinking that if that welfare check ceased, so would the alcohol/crack/heroin/meth.....
Cut out the entitlement programs, cut the government in half and cut my taxes in half. I can dream, can't I?
a voice called "Road Warrior" spoke:"I'm thinking that if that welfare check ceased, so would the alcohol/crack/heroin/meth.....
Cut out the entitlement programs, cut the government in half and cut my taxes in half. I can dream, can't I?"
If the welfare check ceased the substance abuse wouldn't cease... another way of feeding the addiction would happen. Theft, burglary,robbery etc would occur in ever increasing numbers. An addicted soul will *always* find a way to fund that habit *no matter what* ...that said the welfare/entitlement hand outs should cease but for other reasons - the main one being "earn your keep" I/we have to, so should they. No other reason needed.
Lancelot Link said..that said the welfare/entitlement hand outs should cease but for other reasons - the main one being "earn your keep" I/we have to, so should they. No other reason needed.
You said what I meant to say :)
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