There is a move in some states to try to get randomized drug testing for welfare recipients according to this article. In a way this tackles the core of the issue that we spoke about in class when we were trying to figure how to decide on welfare spending (Richard brought up that cash benefits might be spent of 40 oz beer) but at the same time it is attacking a segment of society that is least able to help themselves.
Would you support such a bill? Why or why not?
Ps: I totally forgot to post yesterday so this post is for yesterday. Also, I'm not sure if I am supposed to post today as well so I most probably will be posting again later in the day.
It seems like random drug testing for welfare recipients would be creating huge inefficiencies and dead weight loss as a portion of our tax money would go towards paying for these tests. However, it does address the issue of how these people are spending our tax money. I suppose it may discourage people who know they would fail a drug test from even trying to get unemployment benefits and such. I think I would be in support of this bill.
ReplyDeleteI do not want my tax dollars going to narcotics and illegal drugs . Period. End of story. While random drug testing will cause inefficiencies, I feel they will cause more equity. Chronic drug users are more likely to fall into poverty and those that abstain from drug use are better equipped to find work and get back on their feet. I think it is unfair to use public funds to support unhealthy and unproductive lifestyles, especially if no one is being forced into assistance programs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley. It is inefficient, but is it more inefficient than funding drug dealers with tax money? Pick your poison.
ReplyDeleteI would support a bill like this. Random drug testing for welfare recipients would be a good way to help taxpayers feel better about where their money is going, and it would encourage people to stray away from drugs if they need financial assistance. It would be inefficient, but I think the deadweight loss wouldn't be too high because, like sin taxes, a bill like this would be promoting safe and healthy practices that would make up for other inefficiencies caused by the bill.
ReplyDeleteI would also support this bill or one similar to it. Random drug testing for welfare recipients, I think is a great way to ensure that financial assistance is going to the people who truly need financial help (and not people trying to support a drug habit). I do not know who in their right mind would want their tax dollars going to drug attics, I know I sure don't. I think the inefficiencies created from these drug tests come nowhere close to the equity gained. Interesting article.
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