Why You Shouldn’t Support the Group: Making Drug Tests Required to Get Welfare

The group ‘welcome sign’ reads: This is to help towards making it a requirement to get tested for drugs in order to receive welfare benefits. The economy is bad as it is, this is a great way to cut costs. No more crackheads living off our hard earned money.

The platform for this Facebook group is finally getting to me. Whoever created it used wording of such intelligence that I assume most of its supporters are in the same IQ range. I think people see it and make a snap decision that supporting this is a good idea. So, here’s some arguments for why it’s not…

Yes, some people abuse the system. Others do not (specifically the children of these parents). For example, I grew up in a household that utilized Section 8 Housing, welfare, and even food baskets. My mother drank all the time and used drugs (I remember the pipe that wasn't the kind for smoking weed, her cocaine infused boyfriends, and going with her to pick up bags of different colored pills as a kid actually)…but if she had not received benefits, my future may not be as pretty as it is right now. Her history in the system also probably helped to create a baseline when DHS had to get involved when we were teens.

Basically, the children of parents who use drugs need to eat and get services, and they can’t apply for welfare on their own. So, if you support this, you are essentially supporting child hunger and denial of services to children…something that would have made my life completely different than it is today.

Speaking of, which drugs are we talking about here? Maybe it’s because I grew up in a home with an alcoholic who did quite her fair share of damage, but I consider alcohol a pretty ridiculous drug in itself if used too often. Honestly, I could care less if people use certain drugs (such as marijuana) in moderation...I think they do a lot less damage than people drinking. And I’ve never smoked in my life, so don’t go thinking I am on some pedestal for marijuana smokers (though I do think it should be legalized).

The cost of administering drug tests to everyone who applies for welfare is HUGE! The state can barely afford to test all the people involved in the system as it is.  Don't get me wrong, it needs to be a case by case basis and some do need to be drug tested and get services, but it's not that easy to just say drug test everyone.

Hmm, that may actually be all I have to say about this. I am sure some of my other social service friends can chime in and give you some other ideas of why you should rethink the groups you join on social networking sites.

And please note, based on the wording of the group 'welcome sign' it is easy to make the conclusion this group leader is not requesting people simply get drug tested, but that people be drug free to receive benefits.  Otherwise, they would have chosen their wording a little more appropriately.

Cocoa Pebbles Do This to Me...

All hail Conan, my new love for snowboarding, and summer being less than 5 months away.  Now on with the show...

I’m liking this whole idea that murderers on death row should start donating all their organs to others when they need them. So pretty much, those criminals who have been proven guilty with 100% proof should be on call for when someone needs an organ they have. Sorry if I sound heartless, but, I just don’t get the whole ‘cold blooded killing for the hell of it’ idea.

On that note, I am really tired of hearing about shootings, abuse, murder, and Heidi Montag.  I don’t know the answer to fix it, but come on, stop it already.

I still like Obama. I don’t give a flying f**k what you think. You try to take over the presidency after it was blasted to hell. It’s his first year as a young president and he isn't the only guy running the country right now. Give the guy a break.

Robin’s mom wants me to be the next Bachelorette.  My buddy Joe says I have to settle down by May. All in due time my friends, all in due time. I promise I will avoid ending up on Tough Love (as previously stated in my last post). Did I ever mention that my ‘flower girl’ is a 36 year old man?  Maybe I should speed up the process for his sake. And yes, I will probably have 27 bridesmaids to stay true to my ‘27 Dresses’ comparison. Don’t judge…I love too many of my girls to have to pick.

My very best guy friend Jonathan is leaving me again. Much how I like to have Robin within an hour of me even if I don’t see her all the time, he is the same way. So, we will see how I do when he is in New Zealand for a few years. I’m already planning the plane tickets to get there at least one or two times!

If you’re not watching Modern Family, you really need to start. Honestly, in a sea of lackluster and worthless television, the show is truly genius.

My roomies would like me to mention how cool they are. Done! Lisa is trying to fatten me up. Much to her dismay, I don’t seem to gain weight. Really, it's been a good two years here.  Love it and will probably only leave when I get coupled off one day.

The best way to end a productive day of hiking (exercise) is to have corndogs, tater tots, and milkshakes. Just sayin…yep, that not ever gaining weight thing seems to work out pretty well for me. And I did go dancing after, so, I guess bad food was truly justifiable.

My mom infiltrated our little peaceful world again…this time with absolutely random stuff and some letters that were terribly inappropriate to give to your children, but at the same time, gave me more justification to my dad being the good guy. So, there that is.

Songs (!!!):  Never Be Ready by Mat Kearney, Obsessed by Mariah Carey (sorry, it grew on me), and Electric Feel by MGMT. Oh, and if anyone wants to go to Rogue Wave with me on April 9th, I already bought an extra ticket. My usual concert buddy will be in New Zealand by then (damn you Ph. D seeking Jon)…so I will need a replacement for all future concerts for the next few years! 

Resolutions for 2010...Yes, I Have a Few

Continue to stay true to myself ~ Be an awesome bridesmaid in May and July for the two weddings I am in this year ~ Laugh uncontrollably (and convincingly) every time someone makes the joke that I am like the chick from 27 Dresses as if it is the funniest thing I have ever heard, and the first time I have ever heard it (I suppose it is an indirect compliment that I am such a fabulous friend, people like having me in their weddings) ~ Not end up on the next season of Tough Love on VH1 ~ Run more with Bailey ~ Go on my first bonafide FAMILY trip out of the state with my parents, half sibs, and Tater Bug ~ Eat less sugary cereal (don’t even THINK I would say eat less cereal) ~ Go to more concerts ~ Stay home more nights and have people over instead of going out ~ Be okay with the fact that I will still probably say ’Yes’ too much and ’No’ too little ~ Spend more time with my friends who don’t live in Portland (including those in Salem, Eugene, Southern Oregon, and Beaverton) ~ Spend more time with my friends who have kids ~ Like my nose more than I did this year ~ Keep kicking butt at work ~ Find a way to get reality shows removed from television ~ Go to bed earlier ~ Play 18 holes of golf without getting mad ~ Volunteer more ~ Spoil the heck out of the new babies joining the family in February and July ~ Stop overanalyzing ~ Continue to believe that people are intrinsically good and not bad ~ Float the river more often ~ Go to the ocean more often ~ Continue appreciating the little things in life ~ Keep loving life, no matter what.