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From the Right by Ed Farnan

Governor Signs Drug Test for Welfare Law

Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 at 08:57 AM

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Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) on Tuesday signed into law the requirement that adults applying for welfare assistance undergo drug screening.

This had been one of Governor Scotts primary aims when he campaigned for Governor of the state, to bring some control to the states welfare programs.

"It's the right thing for taxpayers," , "It's the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don't want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs." Scott said after signing the legislation into law.

The laws lofty aim is a way to help the states drug addiction and abuse problems, by creating incentives to stay clean in order to receive assistance from the state.

The usual suspects, Democrats from the state's congressional delegation, issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional."

"Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional," said Rep. Alcee Hastings. "If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"

Rep. Corrine Brown said the tests "represent an extreme and illegal invasion of personal privacy."

Really? What a concept, social engineering by the government in order to change peoples behavior, how unconstitutional! Almost every law passed by politicians is designed to modify the citizens behavior!!!

If requiring a clean drug test before receiving a government check is such a hardship, how about all of the private companies and government agencies that require clean drug tests of their employees?

This law is a good law and long overdue. Just maybe it can help break the chain of generational welfare dependency that has developed over the past 40 years. If you are not being subsidized to be drug addled, maybe it will provide the incentive to go out and improve your life.

Just like requiring proper identification in order to vote in elections was met with a cacophony of protests. The same group is crying foul now that a Governor is tackling the thorny issue of welfare reform.

Kudos to the states for being proactive in bringing about fundamental change. Because the "hope and change" promised by Washington, is nothing but bong smoke.

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard:

http://www.carrollstandard.com/

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16 Comments

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maloney | Jun 10, 2011, 11:24 PM EDT

Veterans are drug tested at the VA hospitals. It's not asking to much for tests for unemployment bennies.

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joanxis | Jun 10, 2011, 10:32 PM EDT

Unions have to report the money that they give to politicians. The supreme court is allowing corporations to give money to politicians without having to name their donors.

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Fastest | Jun 03, 2011, 07:53 PM EDT

I wonder if the law would apply to people in rehab.

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Monsoonman | Jun 03, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT

Seagreen: Not only do I have every galley slave at his station on the good ship Monsoon, I have the whole 9 yards unfurled as well.

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seagreen | Jun 03, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT

monsoonman... Do you have both oars in the water ? Its odd that you would quote a liberal like Bob Dylan "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

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hooligan6a | Jun 03, 2011, 03:57 AM EDT

I like it. Simple, If you don't want to take the test, go get a job!

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Monsoonman | Jun 02, 2011, 08:42 PM EDT

But let the corrupt labor unions funnel in money & "volunteers" unchecked to the liberal politicians? No times they are a changin' and you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. The country is returning to it's nornmal state, right of center.

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jimgordo1 | Jun 02, 2011, 05:18 PM EDT

ephraimkibby -- agree 1000%. not only does GOP big money support the tea party and other right wing nuts; but they've been given carte blanche by the U.S. Supreme Court to do so anonymously! hopefully that 5-4 decision will be vacated when it comes to light what the hell Thomas and Scalia were doing at that secret conflab of big right wing GOP donors. So much for our politically-neutral Supreme Court!

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EphraimKibbey | Jun 02, 2011, 02:20 PM EDT

In 2010, all over the country GOP politicians were elected by slim margins on platforms of shrinking government and producing jobs in the private sector. Fool us once, shame on you; fool us twice, shame on us. Since getting elected, they have passed laws attacking the poor, the middle class, women, the elderly, the sick, public schools, voters, local governments, unions, personal rights and the Constitution of the United States of America. It has only been 5 months and they have the voters in many states and the country screaming enough. They have even shut down voter sanctioned works in progress causing actual private sector job LOSSES. Most of their bills will enlarge government and cost the taxpayers more while giving them less. Under G.W.Bush and the GOP, our government expanded more than at anytime in recent history while bringing the economies of the U. S., Ireland and the World to the brink of collapse. Kasick in Ohio doesn't like the state's pink driver's license so the Ohio BMV must spend taxpayer money to change it even though the pink was found to be the hardest color to fake. Talk about frivolous micro-management! All of this while GOP budgets give away billions to corporations and the wealthy and sell off taxpayer owned property for pennies on the dollar to those corporations. I guess that the years from 2000 to 2008 that they had to destroy the United States and World economies was not long enough to get the whole job done so they want a second chance. PLEASE WAKE UP AMERICA and WAKE UP WORLD (especially Ireland) - unless you are a millionaire, the U. S. GOP politicians are not working for your good. America under them will soon become the Europe of the 18th and 19th centuries that our (especially Irish) ancestors fought and died to escape. They are Anti the American Dream for everyone but the rich (ie. themselves.) Do you really want a society of serfs and billionaires here? That is what they want to create.

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seagreen | Jun 02, 2011, 01:46 PM EDT

Farnan.... I am aghast! I actually agree with you and the governor ! Been drug tested for 35 years in my occupation. If I fail, its no job, no money, and loss of license.

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hollabackgurl | Jun 02, 2011, 12:41 PM EDT

I imagine Tea Party Scott has financial backers in the urine testing comapnies. Imagine making innocent people have to submit urine and blood tests becuase this blowhard wants to make a name for himself. Disgusting.

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Ratslayer | Jun 02, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

Typical Republican BS. How the hell is this gonna help Florida's morbid economy?? How much will it cost the taxpayer to administer these tests? Morons. As Rome burns, the GOP yet again plays the race card to appease their ignorant base of angry whites.

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PhoenixZouave | Jun 02, 2011, 11:23 AM EDT

With the collapse of the real estate market in Florida, I wonder who will be available to administer these tests? Hey, Gov..when you leave the state, don't forget to turn off the air conditioning and the lights, OK?

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joma5004 | Jun 02, 2011, 10:26 AM EDT

About time!!!!

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Ms.Gail | Jun 02, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT

Good.

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