Posted on 01/31/2015 2:18:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Scott Walker has had a good week. The press is googly-eyed over him, waxing on about how he could just win this thing, and he's still rolling on his high from last weekend's Freedom Summit. Of course, that's not really something to write home about when you're besting the likes of Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee.
He's got that populist message down pat just like his other friends on the campaign trail. Income inequality! Deteriorating middle class! And he's so concerned about those things he's going to govern on that basis, right?
Walker has a real problem on his hands, because while he's basking in the afterglow, he still has to govern. It turns out he's not doing that awfully well.
Wisconsin’s low-income workers and some members of Congress are speaking out against Governor Scott Walker’s call for making people on public assistance undergo a drug test. Governor Walker confirmed in a Q and A at the conservative American Action Forum in DC on Friday that the 2015 budget he will unveil Tuesday will include measures that cover those who need food stamps, Medicaid and unemployment benefits, among other programs for those in poverty.
Walker claimed his motivation for the controversial move was feedback he’d received from Wisconsin companies. “As I traveled my state, I hear employers, small business owners say, overwhelming: ‘We have jobs. We just need workers. And we need two things: people who know how to show up every day for work, five days a week, and gimme someone who can pass a drug test,’” he said.
Now here's how that plays out with real people who need assistance.
For Wisconsin workers who currently depend on public assistance, like 21-year-old Milwaukee waitress Peyton Smith, the burden of the law would be much more personal.
“For [Governor Walker] to put another barrier in front of us is like saying we’re guilty, but we’re not guilty,” Smith told ThinkProgress. “It’s already hard to go down there and file for government assistance. We have to report in every day, fill out papers. Now I have to take the time out of my busy schedule to take a drug test? Come on!”
Epps-Addison, who depended on food stamps when she began law school at the start of the Great Recession in 2008, echoed Smith’s difficult experience in signing up for public benefits.
“There were times even I couldn’t navigate the process, as a law student with a college degree,” she said. “The system is set up to disempower people and make them frustrated enough to give up before receiving the help they need.”
Smith, who has a three-year-old daughter and another baby due soon, works about 20 hours a week at Denny’s — though she has repeatedly requested full-time employment. Because it’s a tipped job, she makes just $2.33 an hour, and currently relies on food stamps to feed her family.
“I’m willing to work. I’m not lazy at all,” she said. “But the jobs we can get are horrible, low pay, and we can’t get the hours we need. As a parent, it just sucks. I want things that are healthy for her, but the fruits and vegetables she needs to grow as young child are expensive.”
Scott Walker, like the party he represents, is awesome at tossing around the simple solution sound bite. Need workers? Drug test the ones on welfare! Never mind that they're likely not skilled at building furniture or whatever jobs he's talking about. When employers say they need people to show up who can pass a drug test, what they're really saying is that they have some nice minimum wage jobs over here with long hours, shifts, and little in the way of pay and benefits.
And please, never mind about that pesky unconstitutional thing. Scotty will make that go away...somehow.
Well of course its totally unconstitutional and its not fair. Mostly its just not fair. You should be able to get your check and get your drugs. LOL!
Go read the muliple different court opinions on it then get back to me...
I asked some people at a drug testing facility once if they drug tested those doing the testing...The answer was no, accompanied by lots of “How dare you ask that” looks on their faces.
They started drug testing the military about half-way through my time in. I don’t recall any officers being tested, but maybe I just didn’t know about it.
Why? Why your constant posting of items bashing Walker?
I know you have an immense crush on Palin, but her day has come and gone.
Walker is very, very viable and impressive to true conservatives.
Why? Are you telling me the government is just going to give you money with no conditions?
Because I...like you...am free to work elsewere if we dont want to comply with employer rules.
And I shouldnt have to tell you what you already know.....any fool can pee in a cup....our industry is chock full of them...
Drug tests only catch the stupid or un prepared.
You can also smoke crack on friday night and pee clean on monday morning....
Testing is pointless.
How often will they be drug tested? Who pays for the tests? What happens if the test is positive?
I was drug tested in the Army several times and many times for jobs since then. Where were my 4th Amendment rights?
(608) 266-1212. Call him and ask him.
Look....the topic is drug testing people on welfare....the federal courts always strike it down...
Passing such laws are a waste of time.
Dont try and make this argument something it isnt....
I said it was a good idea...it also will get slapped down hard.
I have to test for work....even though the testing is useless....it only catches the stupid....
They would be better off giving an IQ test.
Drug testing plus actively seeking a job.
Federal court judges are not randomly tested either....
Non sequitor,
You surrender certain rights when you join the military....and if you dont like the rules of an employer....quit.
Why are you trying to crab walk the argument into something else?
Drug testing for welfare gets shot down every time....no matter how much you might protest.
I have to drug test for work...including randoms...
I mean really.....it’s like you’ve never heard of synthetic urine....in the trade we call them boilermaker bottles....LOL.
So for 30 bucks...anyone can beat a drug test....that makes testing kinda pointless....yes?
Or would the next step be a requirement that People getting welfare be strip searched before they are tested?
Calling the testing pointless, and pointing out the federal courts will shoot it down....is NOT support for people using drugs to recieve benefits.
Closer to half. The state is putting up $220 million, the owners are putting up $150 million, and Herb Kohl is putting up $100 million.
So?
Get your representatives to pass a law requiring it......so a federal judge can stike it down....LMAO...
Oh wait....legistlators are also exempt....LOL
If you want to smoke pot that bad....figure out a way around it....or just be happy, whip your dick out...and pee in a cup for a job.
In other words he hasn't thought that far ahead.
I used to be a worker in that system. Somehow the unemployment office was tasked with training AFDC/TANF and SNAP recipients in job seeking skills. I was transferred out of helping veterans to doing that because I had once worked in a welfare-related program called PROMISE JOBS which is an acronym.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.