Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ok, here is something that I saw in the news and quite frankly, I don’t know if I should be offended or pissed.
Here’s the scenario, a person is laid off from their job. They are hard working, no criminal record, no drug abuse issues at all and the State of Florida decides that, before they can receive any money from Unemployment (which state status 443 says they are entitled to) They have to submit to and pay for a drug test. What is wrong with this picture?
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/lynn-40655-oks-bill.html
Governor Ok’s drug testing for unemployment
Now, don’t get me wrong, I do understand and know that there are those receiving entitlement programs such as Unemployment and food stamps that are taking advantage of these programs and using them to buy drugs. But seriously, just how many, out of the millions in the state on these programs are actually doing this? Is it really that big of an issue?
I am currently on Unemployment, I do not have any criminal record, I have never used drugs and I’m being told that before I can draw benefits, I have to prove I am not using it to buy and use drugs. I’m offended by that first because; I have never and will never have a drug problem. In fact, you might be able to get me to take an aspirin once in a while.
Second, I have no criminal record. It is cheaper for the state to check its own records on this, in fact, FDLE frequently sends arrest reports to the state unemployment agency, and I’m sure other agencies as well, to update them on arrests of claimants. So, to force a law-abiding citizen to pay for testing is just ridiculous. The test itself, in 2009, was $30 and I’m sure it’s more expensive now.
Most people on unemployment in the state of Florida would receive only $275 at best. After paying all their bills, rent or mortgage, and getting the essentials they need will not have $30 to their name. I know this for a fact because I go through it all the time. My $275 doesn’t cover the mortgage. If not for the fact that I live with someone that is working with good pay, we would both be homeless as $275 per week wouldn’t even cover rent on a small apartment these days.
There are a couple of other things that I think deserve to be mentioned. First, since we are dealing with money that was funded from tax dollars, shouldn’t this have gone to a vote by the people instead of an anti-social program legislative body? It’s our money, not theirs and the people of the state should have had a say in the matter.
Second, there are so many checks and balances in the state system now, it would be all too easy and cheaper for these agencies to check criminal records to determine who is at risk and then drug test them as part of their qualifications. Then, at the very least, it would be justified.
There is one thing that keeps beating me in the back of the head whenever I hear about something like this. The governor is trying to find ways to kiss our collective ass by saying “Look how much I have saved the people of this state”. Yet he doesn’t pay attention to what is really important. He and our state legislators are supposed to be working for us, not the other way around.
His plans do not make since nor do they help build jobs or this economy. He has already had the State Supreme Court rule that he overstepped his authority but halting all approvals for programs until they can “be reviewed for waste”. He will take federal money for abstinence programs but he can’t be bothered to delegate money for dying kids (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-scott-maxwell-fed-money-hypocrisy-20110816,0,3574654.column) and he lied to the people of Florida about the financial risks the state “might” take with High Speed Rail.
I’m still reeling over the fact that the people of this state voted for him after being proven that he defrauded the Medicare program while head of HCA Health. We do not need him or this legislature. We need people in these offices that are going to look at the situation and find out what is best for the people, not for the companies and political parties that pay their salaries.
