patrick.net

How many people have refused to be tested?

I think refusal is grounds for termination so does it matter? It's still apparently a smaller percentage than the general population.

Let's just start mandatory testing for the general population and arrest anyone who tests positive.

Vicente says

I think refusal is grounds for termination so does it matter? It's still apparently a smaller percentage than the general population.

It only matters in that refusal is part of the story and the story is incomplete without a mention. For all I know, nobody has refused.

Vicente says

Let's just start mandatory testing for the general population and arrest anyone who tests positive.

Let's not overreact. We can start by testing just those who are getting money from the government. Rick Scott can take his test this morning.

It's none of the government's business what private citizens procure with their own capital within the confines of the law.

It's quite another matter when a private citizen, receiving capital from their neighbors because of the choices they made, spends any of their own capital on the procurement of alcohol or narcotics.

There is no poverty when a household has satellite television and their own vehicle.

Well, drugs are often an expensive luxury.

Cook County resident says

Let's not overreact. We can start by testing just those who are getting money from the government. Rick Scott can take his test this morning.

Haha, now this idea I like. Don't lots of government jobs do mandatory drug tests?

Vicente says

Let's just start mandatory testing for the general population and arrest anyone who tests positive.

I love this idea. Everyone who cannot afford to bribe the testing agency will be classified as a felon and lose voting rights! Even better, we'd surely get a few false positives with all the cup pissing going around.

That leaves only the docile rule abiding underclass with voting rights. One step closer to making this a truly great nation where only billionaire men of stature and merit can vote.

Vicente says

So I must admit I was surprised as anyone to see the result of Florida-mandated testing for welfare recipients:

Ha! That's pretty surprising that so many passed. It think that has to be less drug use than the general population.

Now, what about drug testing finance personnel. After all, they handle all that money, and if they have a drug problem, they might mismanage it.

thunderlips11 says

Now, what about drug testing finance personnel. After all, they handle all that money, and if they have a drug problem, they might mismanage it.

Interestingly, the rate is much higher lots of places. Example look at some police groups fighting officer drug testing because there's a lot more going on there than they want anyone to know.

thunderlips11 says

It think that has to be less drug use than the general population.

It is. It's simply a way to demonize the poor.

It also makes no scientific sense, since the widely abused Alcohol will often escape detection, but marijuana will not. And more destructive drugs like coke or meth leave the system faster than marijuana.

This is just the "small Government" crowd showing you precisely what they mean by that. Will they check if the poor wear condoms next? Whatever happened to the Civil Libertarian wing of the Republican party?

CL says

Whatever happened to the Civil Libertarian wing of the Republican party?

CL says

It also makes no scientific sense, since the widely abused Alcohol will often escape detection, but marijuana will not. And more destructive drugs like coke or meth leave the system faster than marijuana.

Right, and alcohol is still at the top of the list of addictions. I wouldn't be surprised if alcoholics kill more people from drunk driving each year than are killed by hard drug addicts.

The left-wing Chartist pushers on this site are starting to sound like Michelle Alexander who wrote "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness".

The criminalization of drug use by the underclass is key to maintaining a healthy civilization. Why? Because it provides excellent moving picture programs on the wall of my home stadium theater. Have you ever seen COPS? A brilliant program, only bested by LOCK-UP:EXTENDED STAY.

I must admit, chewing on Cocoa leaves while watching poor, stupid police abuse the poor, stupid masses really brightens my mood. I used to have to listen to my bribed judges relay these stories to me during a round of golf. Now I can watch them from the comfort of my mansion.

leoj707 says

Don't lots of government jobs do mandatory drug tests?

Lots? Not sure -- there are some that do, like DOJ. Many of the entities that care about drugs, don't care much about weed if it was a "youthful indiscretion" (i.e. more than some number of years ago). As Vicente mentioned, lots of unions do fight it, and lots of government jobs don't require tests.

wtfcapinv says

There is no poverty when a household has satellite television and their own vehicle.

Except when the satellite is included in the rent (happens in many places, altho it's often the basic plan). And a cheap-ass car that gets a person back & forth to work or to the grocery store shouldn't preclude them from receiving benefits.

One of the things that I remember about visiting New Orleans and the surrounding areas pre-Katrina were the low income apartments out in the middle of nowhere. There was no bus service out there, and no stores.

wtfcapinv says

It's quite another matter when a private citizen, receiving capital from their neighbors because of the choices they made, spends any of their own capital on the procurement of alcohol or narcotics.

Much of the time it's not due to their own choice (that they're receiving welfare assistance). And alcohol is legal for welfare recipients - they can drink all that they want. A joint is cheaper than alcohol, less destructive to the body, and lasts longer. It also makes one mellow, leading to less physical abuse.

shrekgrinch says

The Left will NEVER concede that one. To them, poverty is 'relative', which is complete bullshit.

...unless it's your relatives who are welfare. Then it's necessary.