Urine Test

THE JOB - URINE TEST

Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem). What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
So, here is my Question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ass - doing drugs, while I work. . . Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'.

You know I think that is a great idea! Think of all the money that would be saved. It is also true that most jobs require a test if you want a job, so those that can't pass are not really looking for a job. What do you think the chances are of getting it passed into law??????

Contrary to popular belief, not ALL public assistance recipients use drugs and alcohol.

And if I get Medicaid, food stamps or heating assistance, why should I have to pee in a cup?

It's bad enough that I have to spend 3 to 4 hours to get a new benefit ID card because it snapped in half.

You wait in line at a window to get a form for a new card.

You fill out the form and stand in line to turn it in, and are sent to ANOTHER window to be finger-printed.

Then you stand in line at ANOTHER window to get a mug-shot snapped.

Then you WAIT.

Eventually, they call you to ANOTHER window to sign your card...and you wait AGAIN to have it CHECKED.

Some time later, they call you to yet ANOTHER window to give the card to you.

And all this time...there are 2 to 3 people manning these many windows. They just step up to whatever window has a line at it.

It makes the DMV look like a supermarket express line.

That's my afternoon plan today.

And I'm on SSI-NOT public assistance!!! But I have to go through the same ordeal.

If they make pee tests mandatory for benefits, it won't just be for public assistance checks...they'll make every single person who needs ANYTHING through Social Services take them, too.

Originally Posted by SamanthaJane13

It's bad enough that I have to spend 3 to 4 hours to get a new benefit ID card because it snapped in half.

You wait in line at a window to get a form for a new card.

You fill out the form and stand in line to turn it in, and are sent to ANOTHER window to be finger-printed.

Then you stand in line at ANOTHER window to get a mug-shot snapped.

Then you WAIT.

Eventually, they call you to ANOTHER window to sign your card...and you wait AGAIN to have it CHECKED.

Some time later, they call you to yet ANOTHER window to give the card to you.

And all this time...there are 2 to 3 people manning these many windows. They just step up to whatever window has a line at it.

It makes the DMV look like a supermarket express line.

That's my afternoon plan today.

After reading the OP's post I thought the logistics of such a thing would be a nightmare...however, you've just convinced me that it could actually work. They can pass out water while you wait in line...by the end of the day everyone would have provided a urine sample.

Originally Posted by SamanthaJane13

If they make pee tests mandatory for benefits, it won't just be for public assistance checks...they'll make every single person who needs ANYTHING through Social Services take them, too.

Originally Posted by SPJ

Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

The amount of additional tax dollars that would be needed to implement a "Urine or You're Out" program would probably outweigh the financial gains of weeding out the relatively few freeloaders.

Originally Posted by SPJ

THE JOB - URINE TEST

Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem). What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
So, here is my Question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ass - doing drugs, while I work. . . Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'.

A friend of mine is a nurse and she has a few patients that receive some sort of government benefits and she recently told me she heard from one of them (true or not) that they are or are going to be drug testing for those on disability. I don't know if that is true for Welfare as well but either way I agree that testing should be done. Don't pass the Wiz Quiz and you don't get your check.

Originally Posted by polasian

After reading the OP's post I thought the logistics of such a thing would be a nightmare...however, you've just convinced me that it could actually work. They can pass out water while you wait in line...by the end of the day everyone would have provided a urine sample.

That would be great, except they only allow baby formula in baby bottles.

No other food or drinks.

The amount of additional tax dollars that would be needed to implement a "Urine or You're Out" program would probably outweigh the financial gains of weeding out the relatively few freeloaders.

They would have to have someone escort every applicant into a bathroom stall to observe them taking a leak, someone to process the urine test, someone to read it, etc.

Social service workers aren't qualified to do lab work, and it pays a whole lot more to employ someone to do that than they would save.

Also-think about this-

For every single person who would like this plan implemented, I can see that same people having a USDA Prime conniption fit if their elderly mom and dad fell on hard times and had to be subjected to this whole process-including the mug-shots and finger prints-if those parents fell on hard times in their lives and needed assistance.

We're ALL human beings...but Soc. Ser. doesn't treat ANYONE that way.

I got down there today, logged in to see my case worker so she could give me a paper to take one floor up to get my card...and I was the only one waiting.

It took them 35 minutes to call my name for her to ask what I needed.

Then another 20 minutes for her to reappear with the paper. She must have run to OfficeMax for paper and printer ink...yeah-that's the ticket!!

Then I went up to the 4th floor to begin the process of different lines and waiting and filling out MORE damned forms.

Mug-shot.

Finger prints.

They finally gave me a temporary card until I get my new card in the mail in 6 to 8 weeks...'cause they're back-logged.

With the economy the way it is, and jobs few and far between, do you want to go through that crap??

Your parents?? Your kids??

And you want to add PISS TESTS???

This isn't Central Booking at the local cop station!!

It USED to be called HUMAN SERVICES.

Originally Posted by SamanthaJane13

That would be great, except they only allow baby formula in baby bottles.

No other food or drinks.

*note to self, from now on remember to type "just kidding" instead of a raspberry smiley*

As far as the rest of my post...I was agreeing with you Donna.

I think it should be a random testing. Say you KNOW on paydays you have a chance of getting picked, and then say everyone with the SSN ending in 9 gets to pee for their money. I am not saying everyone on assistance are low lifes but when you are down it is a lot easier to fall into doing drugs. I doubt it will ever happen but it would keep the clean people clean and wash out the ones taking advantage.

Originally Posted by polasian

*note to self, from now on remember to type "just kidding" instead of a raspberry smiley*

As far as the rest of my post...I was agreeing with you Donna.

No problem, Nick!!!

I was just expounding on my lovely afternoon and the half-assed way things work here.

As for the food and water ban in the building??

They've received BOMB THREATS...can't imagine why, with all the dignity they afford their clients. The evil explosive juice box or pack if animal crackers to keep the kids busy are BANNED.

The one water fountain that's accessible to the public in on the 1st floor of of a 10 floor building-along with the only public access crappers.

They still have the "corral chute" ropes to keep people in line like cattle, and you have to stand behind the line on the floor till you're called, or the Sheriff throws you out or takes you to the County Holding Center for God only knows what.

I've seen people being hauled out, so I know it happens.

They have nobody in the building who will even answer questions, so even if it's as simple on, like-"What's my caseworker's name and phone number?", you have to go Downtown and stand in line for an hour or more.

Tell me you didn't just complain about needing to wait a couple hours to get months worth of support.

Try standing behind a cash register for four hours at wally world, getting bitched at by people who haven't worked a day in their life, just so you can earn enough money for a pack of cigarettes and maybe a value meal from mickey D's.

I can't wait to show my father in law this. He worked in a coal mine for years, and I'm sure he'd like to hear how bad you need to suffer to get some free medical insurance.