I have long wondered why a requirement for drug testing was never incorporated into welfare bills. I believe that many recipients are drug users and should not be entitled to government care. (Read the entire AP article here)
I'm glad Kansas has taken some initiative and appears to be serious about moving forward with the testing: "On Wednesday, the Kansas House of Representatives approved a measure mandating drug testing for the 14,000 or so people getting cash assistance from the state, which now goes before the state senate."
While I'm impressed to hear that "similar bills have been introduced in Missouri and Hawaii", I don't hold my breath that Missouri is serious about passing any health or wellness laws. Perhaps it is because it would diminish their love of the social services programs. I think, without them saying it aloud, our representatives enjoy being known as a state that panders to the desires of the needy. We have too many social services programs established to "help those in need". Economic need, health needs, whatever your "need", our state can help.
It's a pity, really, to be a crutch for folks all the time. At some point they need to learn to stand on their own two feet. They have to want to. They need to know that someone is not always going to be there to catch them when they fall. How else can they learn from their mistakes and make lemonade out of lemons or to be independent?
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