FL Governor signs law to test welfare applicants

[FocusDude]

Originally Posted by angdefeo

Excellent! Two ignoramuses trying to discuss a social policy change could be really funny.

All I have to say is the people now in charge of social policies are failing us completely. Two ignoramuses can't do any worse.

"But what about the Children!" Oh, I'm sorry. I give in. You win. .closethread

[FocusDude]

Originally Posted by angdefeo

That's exactly what i am trying to say. If 20% of the people applying actually are on drugs and wont qualify anway.....lets not forget that 80% of the people are just poor. Asking someone with no money, come up with $50
to pay for a test and go through a process that will take 2-3 weeks until you can eat..... well that's not exactly fair.





Exactly. Most people on public assistance aren't lifers. They are short term users in the program who need help because of catastrophic issues in their life(disease, job loss, and divorce). But all the righteous people here want legislation for the 10-20% who commit fraud versus the the 80-90% who need it, play by the rules, and leave the program once they are back in shape.

If it's only 10-20% on welfare committing some kind of fraud? I'd be amazed, true numbers would never be available.

I understand they cant pay for it out of pocket. In my first post, towards then end, I hinted that the law is not perfect. But yes, you should not be getting high while on subsidized programs.

[AWD GS]

Originally Posted by 420sx

My opinion is- anyone who is on welfare should only ever be buying the essentials. If youve got money for cigarettes, you dont need to be on welfare- you need to learn how to manage your money better. Someone who needs help so badly that they have to rely on a government hand out shouldnt be purchasing ANYTHING thats "non-essential," whether it be drugs, cigarettes, an Audi, or a Prada bag. If you dont NEED it, but still buy it, then clearly you dont need to be on welfare.

agreed! i was at a local bar a few weeks back and some girl was talking to her friend about her access card and how its used to buy milk and bread and such. it took a lot for me to hold back and ask her why does she have one of those if shes out at the bar buying drinks with her own money.

[Proven]

As the Dem., Liberal, Progressive I'm seen as on here I actually believe that welfare being offered IS a good thing. However, I also agree that welfare recipients SHOULD be drug tested and that its not a violation of their freedoms.
I also feel there should be more regulations within the program. Example would be they are given food and clothing rather then cash to buy what they want. To even further that they should do part time work to receive the checks, "clean up the city" style work.

[FocusDude]

Originally Posted by Proven

As the Dem., Liberal, Progressive I'm seen as on here I actually believe that welfare being offered IS a good thing. However, I also agree that welfare recipients SHOULD be drug tested and that its not a violation of their freedoms.
I also feel there should be more regulations within the program. Example would be they are given food and clothing rather then cash to buy what they want. To even further that they should do part time work to receive the checks, "clean up the city" style work.

Depends on how you define a "good thing." I believe it CAN be a "good thing."

Other then that I agree with you... Yea I SAID IT

[Foolinaround]

There can also be too much of a good thing. Only way to see if it works is test it out.

[angdefeo]

Originally Posted by FocusDude

All I have to say is the people now in charge of social policies are failing us completely. Two ignoramuses can't do any worse.

"But what about the Children!" Oh, I'm sorry. I give in. You win. .closethread

i count myself as one of the ignoramuses.

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by Proven

As the Dem., Liberal, Progressive I'm seen as on here I actually believe that welfare being offered IS a good thing. However, I also agree that welfare recipients SHOULD be drug tested and that its not a violation of their freedoms.
I also feel there should be more regulations within the program. Example would be they are given food and clothing rather then cash to buy what they want. To even further that they should do part time work to receive the checks, "clean up the city" style work.

This is a HUGE

There's absolutely no excuse to not be doing some kind of work for the money. I'm not saying they should be forced into some sort of work camp or anything, but if you're collecting a handout you had better be able to get off your ass for at least a few hours a day to contribute to society.

Believing that welfare is a good thing does not have to be a 'Dem., Liberal, Progressive' idea. It's my personal belief that any society that shows a genuine interest in lending a helping hand to someone who has stumbled a bit is a genuinely good society. However, like many other things, what's originally intended and is on paper does not even come close to reflecting what actually goes on at the ground level. Welfare in this country is an "A+ for idea/concept, but -100 points for execution" kinda thing.

[Archie]

good, now the next rule should be to cap the kid limit and the amount of time tax payers have to keep career welfare recipients above water!

[Proven]

Originally Posted by Archie

good, now the next rule should be to cap the kid limit and the amount of time tax payers have to keep career welfare recipients above water!

The Gov. program Plan parent hood educates and offers Birth Control to those less fortunate, this does help regulate welfare babies. (unfortunately some Republicans are trying to shut this down (rather then regulate) because 3% of what they do is abortions).

Welfare IMO is good because without that support sh** would get A LOT worse for these people and the natural Human reaction would be to do anything necessary to get fed, clothed, and warm. What we essentially pay tax's for in this situation is for less Crime/violence and to give Americans less fortunate a chance.

[angdefeo]

Originally Posted by Proven

The Gov. program Plan parent hood educates and offers Birth Control to those less fortunate, this does help regulate welfare babies. (unfortunately some Republicans are trying to shut this down (rather then regulate) because 3% of what they do is abortions).

Welfare IMO is good because without that support sh** would get A LOT worse for these people and the natural Human reaction would be to do anything necessary to get fed, clothed, and warm. What we essentially pay tax's for in this situation is for less Crime/violence and to give Americans less fortunate a chance.

well said, i agree with everythig you are saying.

[AWD GS]

Originally Posted by Archie

good, now the next rule should be to cap the kid limit and the amount of time tax payers have to keep career welfare recipients above water!

they do have a cap on it already. imo its still high but after 5 kids is when you get cut off for any more money.

[Proven]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

This is a HUGE

There's absolutely no excuse to not be doing some kind of work for the money. I'm not saying they should be forced into some sort of work camp or anything, but if you're collecting a handout you had better be able to get off your ass for at least a few hours a day to contribute to society..

Glad you agree, seriously. It would ultimately do a couple things IMO. Like you said get them off their asses and in motion, give some sort of self worth, give everyone a cleaner city, make certain tax payers feel better about it all, and hey, give the welfare recipient something to put on their resume "worked in Gov. in the city restoration program".

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by Proven

As the Dem., Liberal, Progressive I'm seen as on here I actually believe that welfare being offered IS a good thing. However, I also agree that welfare recipients SHOULD be drug tested and that its not a violation of their freedoms.
I also feel there should be more regulations within the program. Example would be they are given food and clothing rather then cash to buy what they want. To even further that they should do part time work to receive the checks, "clean up the city" style work.

I like the idea of giving them food/clothing to a point... but why not give them an online store with approved things to choose from. It should force them to to get nutritional good and economical, functional, and reasonable clothing.

I also like the idea of them doing some community service as a 'thank you' for the help.

I also feel that if you have a kid while you are on Welfare they should hold you down and steralize you... then kick you off the system for being so stupid.

[eviljokerSTI]

They should amend this to include everyone who lives at the same address as the welfare recipient including children! noone who benefits from govt. aid should be let off the hook even if they arent recieving it directly. If they are living off there mothers or fathers welfare they should have to pass also

[Snoozie]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

This is a HUGE

There's absolutely no excuse to not be doing some kind of work for the money. I'm not saying they should be forced into some sort of work camp or anything, but if you're collecting a handout you had better be able to get off your ass for at least a few hours a day to contribute to society.

Believing that welfare is a good thing does not have to be a 'Dem., Liberal, Progressive' idea. It's my personal belief that any society that shows a genuine interest in lending a helping hand to someone who has stumbled a bit is a genuinely good society. However, like many other things, what's originally intended and is on paper does not even come close to reflecting what actually goes on at the ground level. Welfare in this country is an "A+ for idea/concept, but -100 points for execution" kinda thing.

There is a program called CWEP (Community Work Experience Program). The benefit recipient is required to do this program for X amount of hours in order to receive their benefits.

From my work's website, maybe it explains it a little better:

Welcome to Mercer Street Friends Job Readiness Services

Mercer Street Friends Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) is for parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from Mercer County Board of Social Services (MCBOSS). Parents are required to do a twenty five hour weekly work activity and are referred to our CWEP program after evaluation by their MCBOSS case manager. Staff members work tirelessly to provide services for each participant in areas focused upon enhancing employablility and reduce barriers to self sufficiency including:

Job placement
Life management skills
Interview support and practice
Job application preparation
Resume writing
Employer contact and advocacy
Outreach and support inprogram compliance
Personal growth and development issues

In addition we offer the required ten day program for parents at risk of losing benefits who are refered by their case manager.