Florida governor to impose drug testing on welfare recipients...will get rich out of it

Yeah so much for small government not being in your life uh?

But this is not really about small government or even reducing payments of welfare... it's about CORRUPTION...

Florida Tea Party Gov. Is About to Start Drug Testing Welfare Recipients

Florida’s Tea Party governor Rick Scott is going to do his part to advance “limited government” by making it mandatory for welfare recipients to be drug tested.

The trick :

Parents who test positive must designate another adult to receive benefits on behalf of their children.

So not many people would really lose their welfare, it's more about TESTING people...

The corruption :

HB 353 requires all adult recipients of federal cash benefits — the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program — to pay for the tests, which are typically around $35. The screen would be for all controlled substances and applicants would have to disclose any legal prescriptions.

You know who does the test? A company Florida's governor founded and his wife now owns it.

Rick Scott's Medicaid Overhaul to Benefit…Rick Scott?

Among the companies that stand to benefit from the bill is Solantic, a chain of urgent-care clinics aimed at providing emergency services to walk-in customers. The Florida governor founded Solantic in 2001, only a few years after he resigned as the CEO of hospital giant Columbia/HCA amid a massive Medicare fraud scandal. In January, according to the Palm Beach Post, he transferred his $62 million stake in Solantic to his wife, Ann Scott, a homemaker involved in various charitable organizations.

Among the services that Solantic offers: drug testing.

Isn't that GENIUS?

Rick Scott, you're so corrupt, you're ready for the big leagues, US congress!

I hope the people who wade in here arguing this is a good idea can rationalize the cost it would take to do this.

At roughly 45-50$ per test it isn't cheap, and that's only a standard drug test that only covers a handful of substances.

Large Small government is springing up everywhere


Government get out of my life!!! But first I need you to... and then...

) NIce post. Nice work. The really un-shocking thing about stuff like this is just how the politicians do this stuff right out in the open, because as corrupt as it is, it has nothing to do with government, but has everthing to do with people who think they are the "Lords & Ladies" that rule over the rest of us. That because we vote for them means they think we trust them. That because we vote for them, they think we're ok with giving them "authority" over us. Because this guy knows it's a fail, but will get himself some face time on t.v. This is the kind of "transparent" government hypocrisy we can do without! If you think people are scamming welfare, than go and find them, get evidience against them, and prosecute them! like your supposed to do! How about that huh? If they are on welfare and are using the money to buy drugs (unless it's bud, I'm ok with that! Then just how are you supposed to stop that by giving them a drug test? are you gonna test them every week, month, year? It's just plain STOOOPID!

Wow. How sad for the welfare recipients.

Heres some money, but don't buy drugs with it.

Here's a noble idea, quit sucking on the governments tit.

Originally posted by thehoneycomb
Wow. How sad for the welfare recipients.

Heres some money, but don't buy drugs with it.

Here's a noble idea, quit sucking on the governments tit.

I say bern em to hell and sell em as pig feed!

Are the drug tests going to be at random, or will they be on set dates? What kind of drug tests will they use? Blood, urine, hair?

Dont some of the more hardcore drugs leave the body pretty rapidly? (Atleast for blood and urine tests) If they are on set dates, wont people just not do their drugs a few days before the test?

If they really want to catch people, I would think they would be using hair tests. (I think hair tests have the longest detection period)

Here is an idea.

Treat welfare recipients like everyone else.

If you are doing drug tests on them, do it to your so-called high fliers as well.

I think you will find out a lot. (sniff).

reply to post by catwhoknowsplusone


sniff cause your on coc aine and can't stay sober for over 48 hours and do a drug test?

or sniff because somehow you think you are entitled to other peoples money sniff?

reply to post by thehoneycomb


Basically, I think that people on welfare are entitled to everything everyone else has, and that no-one can be their judge.

It is a hard road in this world - some people make it, some don't.

We are not the judge.

Im sorry but some of you people are just morons......... As a person who is on WELFARE.... who has had jobs.... Who had a job plus school.....therefore I have paid my taxes until I was injured and no longer able to work....I do smoke for my Chronic pain and no, its not legal in NY State to get it prescribed. So am I less of a human cause I choice to buy what helps me with welfare money that I,Myself put into the system? but some of you are quick to judge and think everyone on welfare is there just to abuse the system, They only on it to freeload from and buy beer and drugs with the money they get.

While I do agree, theres some who abusing the system and dont need it, I've seen it myself, Im experiencing it, I've experienced it. When I first went to get Welfare so I can have money for me and food until my lawsuit is done. I went through a lot and I had real mental and physical problems, reports from Doctors, Drug-Free from hardcore drugs and it took me a few months of fighting just to get my temp benefits but someone who decides to use hardcore drugs and the whole nine are able to get it without a problem but I dont blame them, I blame the system, I blame the policies and rules,etc,etc.. The system is so screw up and doesnt filter out what shouldnt be on it.

but somehow they could pass bills,etc,etc get funds to set up something like this so they can control and profit from it with their new rules and policies rather then to fix the system itself so things that most of you people complaining about wont happen and for people who do decide to be on hardcore drugs and be in the system, Why not make better treatments and such while on Welfare so they can better themselves? If you dont go to a treatment center and do what you have to do then the benefits should stop... This drug testing thing is all BS just like the drug testing for lets say for Probation just to keep people in check and in line..

Im sorry but some of you people just choose to be ignorant and complain about how it is... I have NOOOOOO PROBLEM at all putting money in the system for someone like me or worse than me can be able to get help that they deserve. Hopefully one day, after my case is done.. I wouldnt mind setting up orgs and fund proper services, Give back to the community.. by the way.. Im a hispanic male..... now say something dumb and ignorant about me

I'm waiting for the feds to do drug tests on everyone working at the banks before they receive a bailout... or anyone at GM since the gov owns the company... or anyone working for the gov or at the FED or anyone in congress/senate... and I bet most in congress/senate would be caught doing drugs.

reply to post by catwhoknowsplusone


You are not the judge? Who is the judge? Does the judge have any time for this? Probably not. What you are asking for is a police/nanny state into which everybody has the same stuff, which is a pipe dream and quite impossible. Who will enforce these crazy laws that you want? You?

Originally posted by catwhoknowsplusone
reply to post by thehoneycomb

 

Basically, I think that people on welfare are entitled to everything everyone else has, and that no-one can be their judge.

It is a hard road in this world - some people make it, some don't.

We are not the judge.

Ok, well I had to be drug tested to earn my keep. So if they are entitled to the same....

There are many drug addicts in this system from all walks of life, many of them contribute a lot of money to the system, it has been shown just about every dollar note has traces of coc aine on it.

I can understand people not wanting to spend tax dollars on junkies who are not working, but if you have the right to say everyone does not have equal right to the welfare money then it is only fair IMO people also have the right to say they will not pay tax to a system that no longer benefits everyone.


This is the problem with trying to mold society to what you think is right - you take away peoples right to disagree. And when people disagree but have no option to opt out that is slavery - you have taken someone freewill by restricting their options.

This would work if addiction wasn't considered a 'disability'.

The end result of this drug testing will be the people having to pay more - because now the poor folks aren't on welfare, they are on disability and disability costs more than welfare to the taxpayer.

That is why they don't drug test in Canada, methinks.

*I wonder if some friend of a friend of a politician is going to make some money of all the treatment referrals that will be taking place. Any treatment center that manages to latch onto the government tit and make the appropriate connections could make alot of money.

reply to post by Vitchilo


So, this governor is all for mandatory drug testing - tests which his wife's company will perform and directly benefit from, which also means HE will directly benefit.

What a good husband - he just got himself and his wife a guaranteed gravy train.

reply to post by thehoneycomb


I am saying that the judge is not someone who lives in this world.

reply to post by byteshertz


But if you are taking money from someone else, you take it on their terms that you agree too. And if you are on welfare, you are spending taxpayer money and if you are buying drugs you are spending tax payer money on drugs. Doesn't really matter cause it all works out in the wash, what I find disgusting about this argument is that people feel they are entitled to free money regardless of circumstance. America is on the wrong path it is unsustainable.

I don't know why people listen to other people on this site, most are not from US and have no idea what this country is about. That is that sad thing about what happened on 9/11, everyone thinks that 9/11 is an inside job. Fine I agree. But look what it has done to this country, and for what cause look at what people now think are human rights. Is being dependent on the government a human right? Yes, but if you are you are an idiot. I am surrounded by them, not literally but on ATS I am.

This is awesome, in my opinion
I had to pass a drug test for my job
I am subject to random testing by my employer
I am sick to death of paying taxes to support the gang banging drug dealer on welfare who:
-commits all the heineous crimes in the area
-sleeps all day
-sells drugs to the kids in the community
-keeps his crack whore girlfriend knocked up so they can get more assistance
all on MY tax dollar.

Simple solution: Dont wanna get drug tested? GET OFF WELFARE!