Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Should we drug test food stamp recipients?
According to an oh-so-unscientific Facebook poll, 93% of respondents say YES!!!
I say, BE CAREFUL!!!!!
This is an issue where conservatives should tread carefully. It's very easy to paint yourself into a corner here. For example, are we prepared to let children of casual pot-smokers starve because mom lit up a joint a week ago?
No?
Are we then willing to throw these kids into the foster system the moment mom shows up hot on a piss test to collect her food stamps benefits? Maybe for crack or cocaine, sure. But marijuana? Is breaking up the family ALWAYS going to be the best thing for the children?
No?
Then any conservative - or anyone else for that matter, who votes YES on this poll ought to be ready to give an answer: What are we going to do with food-stamp dependent children of casual pot users?
For drug users with no children? Hell with 'em. But for the ones with? Beware the law of unintended consequences.
Yes, I realize you need to pass a drug test to get a lot of jobs. But if I tested hot on a drug test, my prospective private-sector employer is just gong to deny me the job. Not break up my family.
Go VERY slowly here... and don't let politicians or anyone else demagogue this issue.
Splash, out
Jason
I say, BE CAREFUL!!!!!
This is an issue where conservatives should tread carefully. It's very easy to paint yourself into a corner here. For example, are we prepared to let children of casual pot-smokers starve because mom lit up a joint a week ago?
No?
Are we then willing to throw these kids into the foster system the moment mom shows up hot on a piss test to collect her food stamps benefits? Maybe for crack or cocaine, sure. But marijuana? Is breaking up the family ALWAYS going to be the best thing for the children?
No?
Then any conservative - or anyone else for that matter, who votes YES on this poll ought to be ready to give an answer: What are we going to do with food-stamp dependent children of casual pot users?
For drug users with no children? Hell with 'em. But for the ones with? Beware the law of unintended consequences.
Yes, I realize you need to pass a drug test to get a lot of jobs. But if I tested hot on a drug test, my prospective private-sector employer is just gong to deny me the job. Not break up my family.
Go VERY slowly here... and don't let politicians or anyone else demagogue this issue.
Splash, out
Jason
Labels: children, Crime, culture, drugs, law
