I vote YES on welfare drug testing

I know it's not a popular subject and the argument is that it costs too much to drug test everyone when the majority of people aren't taking drugs. Unfortunately, I'm not really buying into that theory because what we could save in pay outs could offset the costs of the testing itself.

If the test is done once a year and costs an average of $30, just deduct that cost from their monthly pay out. Spread it over a couple months and they won't even notice that much difference, then the tax payers don't have to cover that as well. It's a small price to pay for having someone else work to support your family.

Not to mention that some states report saving pay outs because people refuse to take the test. No lost money for a test not taken but we save the money that would have been paid out to that person if we hadn't mandated testing to begin with. Here is one story about just such an instance.

Cost of the tests averages about $30. Assuming that 1,000 to 1,500 applicants take the test every month, the state will owe about $28,800-$43,200 monthly in reimbursements to those who test drug-free.

That compares with roughly $32,200-$48,200 the state may save on one month's worth of rejected applicants.

The savings assume that 20 to 30 people -- 2 percent of 1,000 to 1,500 tested -- fail the drug test every month. On average, a welfare recipient costs the state $134 in monthly benefits, which the rejected applicants won't get, saving the state $2,680-$3,350 per month.

But since one failed test disqualifies an applicant for a full year's worth of benefits, the state could save $32,200-$48,200 annually on the applicants rejected in a single month.

Net savings to the state -- $3,400 to $8,200 annually on one month's worth of rejected applicants. Over 12 months, the money saved on all rejected applicants would add up to $40,800-$98,400 for the cash assistance program that state analysts have predicted will cost $178 million this fiscal year.


In some states, they indicated the people are losing their benefits for failing to take the mandatory drug test. I say that's a win/win but some folks think people refused the test because "it's not right". Are people living on the system really going to risk losing their main, or only, source of income on principal? I sure wouldn't.

There are tons of reports that say testing people on welfare is a waste of time. I think those of us that are busting our butts and still living paycheck to paycheck to support these folks that can't/won't work feel differently.

If I have to take a drug test to get a job so that I can be taxed to support those that don't work, they should have to be drug tested to get my hard earned money.

And I don't care what your situation is...everyone has to pass the test, regardless of how "valid" their need is.

Racism, the equal opportunity hater

I'm so tired of hearing that "black people can't be racist". I'm even more sick of being lumped into the "white racist" category because of so called "white privilege". If someone could let me know when that's supposed to kick in, I'd appreciate it.

The definition of racism involves the belief that one race is superior to another. Don't even try to tell me there aren't people of all races that feel this way. Every time I read articles like this I get frustrated by the fact that people are so blind to what is going on around them every day.

It's race appropriation if I cornrow my hair but it's not for a woman of color to change her hair & eyes to look more like a caucasian woman? Why must we segregate everything into a racial category? The whole point of this melting pot we live in is to share cultures & such. To be open to the ways of others & accepting of the fact that we are all different.

Racism is the same...no matter what color your skin is. It can be directed at us all. How about we channel all this misdirected anger into learning, and practicing, acceptance?

Who is Ben Fields?

There have been many mixed reactions to this incident so it's hard to say what the true nature of this officer is. He's been awarded for his exemplary work but also has been sued for his actions while on duty. Let's take a look at these instances and see what we think.

A previous lawsuit said the officer was aggressive, lewd and out of control when he was questioning 2 people a few years ago. They claimed to have video of the incident but were unable to prove the use of excessive force in a court of law.

There is a current case pending that says he reported a student as being part of a gang, which the student denies. However, the student did say he was present during a fight that "was an attempt to unite three separate gangs at the school". Sounds like gang activity to me. If you aren't part of any of those gangs, why would you be anywhere near this type of meeting?

I don't know this school district or the area but based on these situations, it seems like the kids are a bit more on the "hard edged" side. They've lived through harder times than those that might go to school in the suburbs and may be jaded against people in authority. Unfortunately, that behavior is taught at home...or by their friends if there aren't any adult figures available to teach them at home.

Until we resolve the issue with kids feeling like they can do whatever they want without consequences, we will never stop this cycle of disrespect and violence.

It may be an entitlement problem, not a racist cop problem

So, a white cop got physical with a black student and it's immediately deemed a racially motivated incident. Based on some of the reports about this officer's background, I'm more inclined to believe he's just a jerk, in general.

That troubling information aside, why is nobody concerned about why this started to begin with? This teenager refused to do as instructed by a teacher and the vice principal.

Then refused to cooperate with the officer when he asked her to leave the room. What did she expect? That they'd just give up because she was being a little brat and refusing to follow instructions?

If you don't respect others, especially your teachers, you deserve what you get.

It's very disturbing to me that so many people are completely ignoring the fact that this punk ass teenager lacks any respect for authority and is a complete asshole. Another member of the entitlement generation that feels they can do whatever they want.

It's not about gun control

I may sound like that insensitive prick that has no compassion after a tragic event. That's simply not true but I'm sick and tired of gun grabbers immediately turning these events into a call for more gun control.

I have no problem with background checks and such to ensure that's guns don't wind up in the hands of unstable folks. However, I'm not on board with some of the suggestions of these folks that are so afraid of guns that they think nobody should have them.

Criminals break laws. No amount of restrictions are going to stop bad guys from getting guns and creating havoc. All you'll do by outlawing guns is prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves when confronted with these lunatics.

You'll notice that nearly every mass shooting occurs in a "Gun Free Zone". Why do you suppose that is? Because criminals know there's nobody there to stop them before they cause a large amount of devastation. Putting up these signs is nothing more than an advertisement for the nut cases to attack.

What we need to fix is the people problem that has become apparent during the last 10-15 years. People have no respect for others or themselves. They believe life is disposable & care nothing for the feelings or needs of others.

Until we fix the people, the violence will continue.