Posted on 03/26/2009 10:35:26 AM PDT by GOPGuide
snip
In the past, such efforts have been stymied by legal and cost concerns, said Christine Nelson, a program manager with the National Conference of State Legislatures. But states' bigger fiscal crises, and the surging demand for public assistance, could change that.
"It's an example of where you could cut costs at the expense of a segment of society that's least able to defend themselves," said Frank Crabtree, executive director of the West Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Drug testing is not the only restriction envisioned for people receiving public assistance: a bill in the Tennessee Legislature would cap lottery winnings for recipients at $600.
snip
Particularly troubling to some policy analysts is the drive to drug test people collecting unemployment insurance, whose numbers nationwide now exceed 5.4 million, the highest total on records dating back to 1967.
"It doesn't seem like the kind of thing to bring up during a recession," said Ron Haskins, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "People who are unemployed, who have lost their job, that's a sympathetic group. Americans are tuned into that, because they're worried they'll be next."
Indeed, these proposals are coming at a time when more Americans find themselves in need of public assistance.
Although the number of TANF recipients has stayed relatively stable at 3.8 million in the last year, claims for unemployment benefits and food stamps have soared.
In December, more than 31.7 million Americans were receiving food stamp benefits, compared with 27.5 million the year before.
The link between public assistance and drug testing stems from the Congressional overhaul of welfare in the 1990s, which allowed states to implement drug testing as a condition of receiving help.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Saving money is NEVER bad. But it is here just a reflection of governmental GREED. They have no intent to cut taxes.
1. Paxil anti-depressant
2. Lexapro anti-depressant
3. Hydrocodone semi-synthetic opioid pain reliever
4. Xanax benzodiazepine class anti-anxiety
5. Tramadol semi-synthetic opioid pain reliever
6. Vicodin semi-synthetic opioid pain reliever
7. Lyrica pain reliever for shingles,epilepsy
8. Oxycodone semi-synthetic opioid
9. Lisinopril ACE inhibitor (blood pressure)
10. Cymbalta anti-depressant
11. Lipitor cholesterol, triglycerides
12. Percocet semi-synthetic opioid
13. Zoloft anti-depressant
14. Metformin diabetes
15. Effexor anti-depressant
16. Ambien sedative/ hypnotic
17. Prednisone corticosteroid
18. Atenolol beta-blocker;blood pressure, angina
20. Morphine opioid pain reliever
21. Naproxen NSAID anti inflammatory
22. Phentermine Amphetamine class weight reduction
23. Tylenol mild pain reliever
24. Aspirin mild pain reliever
25. Norvasc blood pressure, angina
Out of the top twenty five, 14 on the list are psychotropic.
As marihuana has been mentioned by posters on this thread, Marinol, which is the main psychoactive ingredient in marihuana, is sold by Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Interestingly enough many patients complained that the pharmaceutical variety was too intense.
It bothers me that California is one of those states that welcome illegals, no questions asked. Which in my estimation is far worse, as they do nothing but suck up large amounts of social services. I thought I read a few days ago that some 25% of California's budget is spent on illegals.
Bottom line: If you take government money, then you can be subject to their rules.
However, like I said, these illegals receive far better treatment than American citizens, which in my opinion is disgusting.
They would find granny dead in the morning.
I'm putting myself in a neither for or against position.
I believe that people on welfare should not be receiving money if they are using it to get stoned. That is not the intent.
For the anti-WOD crowd, I think there are problems far greater than this issue.
It seems to me that the larger goal for police is asset forfeiture. There is big money there, and when you have large amounts of money, unfortunately you are open to large amounts of corruption.
As I stated in a previous post, this (potential) legislation seems to be aimed at blaming Americans in the vein of "we're to blame for arming Mexicans dope runnners."
California acts cynically by going after welfare recipients when they spend huge sums of money on illegals. Simply because they have no guts to say no.
I have a solution. Tell the folks on welfare that a new opportunity has arisen. Those that are ill are excused.
We're going to build a great big wall between ourselves and the lawless enemy. It going to be deep, so tunnel at your own risk.
Hillary can be the master of the ceremony. Just be sure that when that last brick is put in place, she's standing on the Mexican side.
Bash Newt
I watched something with Newt (might have been Greta on fox) on last night and besides singing praise for Clinton (yuck) he basically said the same thing. We (the people) are to blame for the Cartels ...
Like most politicians, Newt does not take any credit for the problems, and basically said we need to continue the WOD with even more effort and break the cycle of addiction in America.
Guess what Newt, you can NOT stop human nature. Guess what else Newt, government policy allowed the cartels to come to power to begin with. The same stupid WOD policies caused the Cartels rise to power, so lets make an even bigger effort to continue the same crap.
Are you stupid these days Newt? That hot steamy affair burn brain cells?
Newt for all your intelligence, you have an equal amount of stupidity. Then again, I guess that's why you are no longer an elected official.
/Bash Newt
Ask any patient who has smoked real marijuana, and taken Marinol if they are similar. They are not.
It's funny how most medical marijuana users prefer the naturally growing real deal over a synthetic version.
. Phentermine Amphetamine class weight reduction
I need to get my hands on some of that.
That's stupid logic. Anyone can barter any item and get anything in return for that item.
Problem number 1. Piss test for a job.
Problem number 2. Compliance without outrage.
And people wonder why we lose more and more rights. The founding fathers look down at us in disgust, followers of each political party favor restrictions on freedom, and the end result is the public having no freedom.
Our country was built upon, liberty, freedom, and working hard. We lose our liberty and freedom everyday, and it is harder and harder for Americans to work.
Jobs for American citizens have 50 million restrictions and rules and regulations these days, the worker is taxed way more, etc...
Freepers who talk about working hard to get where they are today, do not understand that job requirements have gotten more and more complex. 20 or 30 years ago you didn't have to go through drug tests, credit screening etc... you didn't need a college education to get a good paying job. Maybe a criminal background check, and some references.
And you didn't have hundreds of illegals working for no money with no rules either ...
I am all for this drug testing for welfare assistance also.
RX list:
Dronabinol, the active ingredient in MARINOL® (dronabinol) Capsules, is synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is also a naturally occurring component of Cannabis sativa L. (Marijuana).
My understanding is that THC is the main 'ingredient' in pot. There are many other psychoactive ingredients as well. I mentioned Marinol for a reason. First, DEA types make the claim that there isn't any viable use for marihuana in medicine. If so, why would a pharmaceutical company patent its main ingredient for use in medicine?
It's funny how most medical marijuana users prefer the naturally growing real deal over a synthetic version.
Personal choice of course. I've read a few articles and have seen the 'Marinol" is too intense" phrasing. Think "I'm sorry doc, the Marinol is making me feel too screwed up. I'd like something lesser please'.
If they are going to require the unemployed to take drug tests then they better require it of those that collect SSI as well. jmo
Many states require a drug test before allowing worker’s compensation approval. The workers know it and simply don’t file if they are injured. Of course, that tells the employer something important.
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