Then they are the rare exception that is just going to be out of luck and to prove it are going to admit to a crime. I'm not too concerned for the people in that loop hole.

You seem to be quite out of touch with the realities of this world.

 

The more I read this thread the more I think I'm watching Reefer Madness.

food stamps, Medicaid or other state assistance. I guess that would be included in other.

 

AGREED! Aren't you disqualified from Federal student loans if you have a drug conviction?

To me the issue is much more about controlling the spending of taxpayer dollars than controlling the lives of welfare recipiants. Change the process so the welfare recipiants can't use that specific money to buy drugs, alcohol, etc. Seems like it should be pretty easy to do. Much easier than drug testing.

 

Now if a welfare recipiant is convicted on a drug charge I would think that might warrant disqualification from the program, but pre-emptive testing I can't say I believe that is the best way to go.

You seem to be quite out of touch with the realities of this world.

 

The more I read this thread the more I think I'm watching Reefer Madness.

 

How am I out of touch because I don't support people who are breaking the law?Why should they get my hard earned tax dollars if they don't want to follow the laws of this country.

With the advances in technology these days there has to be a way to design a process that doesn't give cash, only credit. And is non transferable. No change given.

This would ensure that the tax payer money is used on only approved items...no beer no drugs no smokes.

 

I like this to cut down on some of it, but what stops them from buying their drug deelers groceries for a week inexchange for the drugs they want. It's hard to control what they do with goods they purchase once they have them in their hands.

I like this to cut down on some of it, but what stops them from buying their drug deelers groceries for a week inexchange for the drugs they want. It's hard to control what they do with goods they purchase once they have them in their hands.

 

I guess that in my opinion making a big cut into the problem by changing the process rather than opening up a huge can of worms by drug testing is a better way. Like I said, if they are convicted of a drug related offense I would be open to testing them then or eliminating them from eligibility. It could easily be a stair-step process where people earn the skepticism rather than running everyone through the gauntlet.

How am I out of touch because I don't support people who are breaking the law?Why should they get my hard earned tax dollars if they don't want to follow the laws of this country.

You think that a parent who smokes weed and takes good care of their children is the rare exception. You use scare tactics and unrealistic numbers like "$100 for a pill" to support your arguments. All in all, I stand by what I said; that it feels like I'm watching Reefer Madness in this thread.

 

Furthermore, it seems that a lot of posters in this thread have a playground mentality. They aren't worried about what's best for the children or the parents. But are much more concerned with what someone else is doing and possibly getting away with. They just want to point their finger and say, "Mommy, Mommy look what little Johnny gets to do". I think a lot of people in this thread are more than willing to spend more money, just to make sure every penny of their money fits their beliefs of what is "well spent". And who cares if some constitutional rights might be stepped on or children from good homes end up in group care...

AGREED! Aren't you disqualified from Federal student loans if you have a drug conviction?

 

Yes.

I could get on board with this idea. I have a question, though. What do we do with children that have one or more parent test positive for drugs and thus, lose their welfare benefits?

 

I see your point, but if parents are on drugs that's where most of their benifits are going anyway. They're no help to the children.

In my county we have a serious problem with people selling their foodstamps by purchasing numerous cases of pop and selling them at a reduced price, usually $4 per case, in order to get cash. Fuel and WIC vouchers are done the same way.

 

I don't know what the answer is but random drug test may help.

Edited January 18, 201115 yr by The Professor

With the advances in technology these days there has to be a way to design a process that doesn't give cash, only credit. And is non transferable. No change given.

This would ensure that the tax payer money is used on only approved items...no beer no drugs no smokes.

 

They buy approved items, then sell them for cash. I know a guy who said he bought T-Bone steaks from a man who had used his foodstamps to purchase them.

They buy approved items, then sell them for cash. I know a guy who said he bought T-Bone steaks from a man who had used his foodstamps to purchase them.

What really boths me is that T-Bones can be bought with foodstamps. There should be a limited list of items you can use foodstamps to purchase and that list shouldn't include steak.

What really boths me is that T-Bones can be bought with foodstamps. There should be a limited list of items you can use foodstamps to purchase and that list shouldn't include steak.

 

I don't mind the steak. What I mind is junk food....chips, sodas, candy, snack cakes, etc. I think that it should be allowed for only approved cereals, meat, cheese, bread, dairy and vegetables, 100% juices, flour, sugar, etc. I think EBT cards should be accepted at farmers markets as well. I may be jealous that they're eating T-Bones, but I'm downright mad when I see a cart piled high with sodas and chips and snack cakes, and very little healthy food, and they pay with an EBT card. BURNS ME UP!

I don't mind the steak. What I mind is junk food....chips, sodas, candy, snack cakes, etc. I think that it should be allowed for only approved cereals, meat, cheese, bread, dairy and vegetables, 100% juices, flour, sugar, etc. I think EBT cards should be accepted at farmers markets as well. I may be jealous that they're eating T-Bones, but I'm downright mad when I see a cart piled high with sodas and chips and snack cakes, and very little healthy food, and they pay with an EBT card. BURNS ME UP!

I guess I should have explained. The t-bone angers me because of the cost. How much ground beef could you get for the cost of a t-bone? And I 100% agree with you on the junk food. The list you have of approved foods is pretty much what I was thinking with the exception of juices. They can be expensive and it's not good to drink that much juice anyway. I would even remove the cereal and add oat meal. It's better for you and less expense. Cereals can get pricey and that don't go as far.

 

My thinking with food assistance is the dollar should be stretched as far as possible while getting good healthy foods.

We had this same discussion a couple years ago as my local representative presented a similar bill. Hearsay had some good thoughts as to why it should not be allowed. Let me see if I can dig it out from the basement.

I guess I should have explained. The t-bone angers me because of the cost. How much ground beef could you get for the cost of a t-bone? And I 100% agree with you on the junk food. The list you have of approved foods is pretty much what I was thinking with the exception of juices. They can be expensive and it's not good to drink that much juice anyway. I would even remove the cereal and add oat meal. It's better for you and less expense. Cereals can get pricey and that don't go as far.

 

My thinking with food assistance is the dollar should be stretched as far as possible while getting good healthy foods.

 

I look at it a bit differently...diet has a direct correllation on health. In a nutshell, I don't care how expensive the food is if it's dietarily sound. Even juice has it's value. Again, I don't think people using EBT should have to buy only the cheapest foods. In fact, that's a number one reason for obesity....processed foods are cheaper and people with less money buy cheaper to make their money stretch. Couple restrictions on EBT purchases with required diet and health education.

 

When I used to get the Government Commodities program, I got a recipe book that gave me ideas of how to use my canned meat, powdered eggs and plethora of beans to make nutritious meals. If a person is approved for the program, then we give them a similar type book.

 

You not only are educating a consumer/benefit recepient, you are helping them improve their health, and that also will result in a decrease in medical assistance needed.

 

I think people get caught up in one phase or another of benefits. They all work together.

 

I have much more to say on this topic, but I have to do some work. :lol: