AGREE 100% wrote on Jan 26, 2008 10:10 AM:
" I believe that those receiveing welfare should be drug tested. We, as the working class, have to go for random drug testing so why should they get off scott free? Don't get me wrong, I believe that there are many people out there need the help, but then there are a lot that are just too lazy to get a job. Hey can't say I blame you, get paid to do nothing.....sound good to me. But unfortunately, I have bills to pay and kids to raise, so I HAVE to work. I think it is said that when you have worked all you life and all of a sudden you get laid off or hurt or something that the government doesn't want to help you at all. We pay our taxes and should get help when we need it! But when you work for a living you just get ......!!!! So I say do drug testing on the welfare recipients---if you aren't doing anything illegal, what do you have to lose? "
shawn wrote on Jan 25, 2008 4:32 PM:
" This is a real bad idea. A person is innocent until proven guilty, without suspicion the state should not be able to invade a persons body. I detest the idea of testing people to receive any service from the state. Even that they are considering this should deeply offend a true patriot it is extremely socialist if not fascist to support such things. You liberals sicken me. "
DM wrote on Jan 25, 2008 12:51 PM:
" I think it should be the goverments and/or Kentuckys right to test anyone they hand out money to. If they are disabled and can't work fine, that's acceptable, but why should welfare recipients be held to a lower standard than people who struggle every day to support their families with no help at all! Same goes with private employers. No one wants a drugy working for them! They want the job done right, not by someone who is messed up on drugs. If you want to work without be tested then get off your butts and start your own company. Then you can hire all the junkies you want and you will be responsible when the get hurt on the job! One more thing, I am disabled and I have no problems with being tested!! I know where my money goes, to my family! Definately not to buy "Illegal Drugs". The only thing STUPID about this situation is the people who abuse the system and use everyone elses money for their illegal habits! GET A JOB! "
keven wrote on Jan 25, 2008 11:22 AM:
" hey welcome to corporate america, corporate america has NO buisness drug testing people, and kentucky has NO buisness drug testing anyone, in the first place it is UNAMERICAN, and second i have worked in corporate america for the last 5 years and i have seen these drug test used as a weapon against employees, the test are not done evenly from the ceo down to the janitoras they shold be ceo's and exexcutves DONOT GET TESTED AND THEY ARE EMPLOYEES ALSO,I also agree if your on welfare you need to work if you are able. "
RobertELegal wrote on Jan 25, 2008 10:11 AM:
" Typical stupidity. Rather than oppose having to pee in a cup for paranoid, irrational employers, we want to expand it to make everyone pee for some authority figure. You people are stupid. "
DM wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:25 PM:
" "To cp"...If the parents are receiving welfare and are abusing drugs, how do you think these children are being raised. Not by very good role models, would you say? They would be better off in foster care while their parent(s) go to rehab and become productive members of the society and someone their children can look up to. It is not fair to the children to let this continue, let alone the tax payers, while the ones guilty of drug abuse do nothing to better themselves. It's not shameful to receive welfare if you need help for awhile...but it is shameful to abuse it by sitting on your butts doing nothing, not even trying to find a job or by using the money for drugs. It's not right and everyone knows it!! "
concerned wrote on Jan 23, 2008 8:38 PM:
" The idea is great!! I work and provide for my family without the help of welfare, so why can't the ones on it do the same? Its good that there is welfare, for the ones who acually need it not for drug heads. They have so many rules on if you make enough money why NOT make drugs one of the rules? Yes, if drug user's on welfare get there funds get taken away because of drugs then the chrildern that suffer needs to be put into a home that can take of them. Parents no need to cry when this happens because there not be parents any ways!!! Besides there not crying for there child there crying because there going to lose welfare. There is a lot of young people who are able to work and they dont because they have welfare that takes care of them. "
cp wrote on Jan 23, 2008 1:20 PM:
" As I sit here and read all these comments, I am saddened by so many people who can stick their finger in the faces of others and judge them. In my position, I am able to see just what kind of people are abusing drugs and just what type of people are taking from their children for drugs. Not all welfare recipients are drug users. Not all "working" people are clean, wonderful parents. If we decide to drug screen people on welfare and take their benefits from them, how can we know we're not taking them from the children. For those who think it's a wonderful idea to take these benefits, are you prepared to go in and help raise the children? Of course it's the parents' place to raise them but if they are not raising them, are we to stand with our eyes closed to these helpless little ones? Who made us God? "
health care worker wrote on Jan 23, 2008 12:34 PM:
" I agree we need a new program started. Many of our working people are in worse shape than those drawing welfare.Many of our welfare receptients continually abuse the system- not only by horrible spending but by abuse of drugs and alcohol. They don't have to pay co-payments at physican offices,free surgeries, and most medications are free.My insurance can't do this. "
annoyed wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:55 PM:
" I think this is a great idea. For those who worry the welfare benefits are for the kids - well if the parent is on drugs - guess where that money is going??? - not to the kids. And as a parent I am responsible for caring for my son & buying his clothes & food & paying any other bills. I have had to work all his life and send him to day care & pay taxes so those who want to abuse the welfare system can do nothing.
What about the taxpayer's civil liberties? "
?? wrote on Jan 22, 2008 5:13 PM:
" What in this world does MLK day have to do with any of this? "
OH SUPPORTER wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:43 PM:
" I for one would definitely support a bill like this in Ohio. "
Bill wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:46 AM:
" This comment is for the Ledger. Send these positive comments supporting the bill to Frankfort!! "
Another comment wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:29 PM:
" If one has to get tested for drugs to drive a truck for some company why not the bums on welfare? Welfare has long been misused and the intended purpose for it long ago was good. But, as with everything else, it is not abused and used by the wrong ones. Just keep paying these you-know-whats for having one baby after another. The more babies, the more money they can get. Hard working folks should not have their money going to the bums who sit and get the money and everything else handed to them. "
Missy wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:19 PM:
" Something like this definitely needs to happen!! It's a great idea!! All welfare recipients need to be evaluated on a regular basis anyway. I have a step son whose mother lives off of welfare & the child support his Dad pays her....he's almost 16 and still doesn't understand the concept of a job!!! "
To "Stupid" wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:18 PM:
" Drug testing welfare recipients is not an invasion of privacy....when they know that those benefits are not intended to buy drugs. I'll tell you what is "stupid"...people that use their children as a way to get drug money. They should be forced to get tubal ligations. These type of people don't need children. Drug heads can't take care of themselves...let alone a child. Just like employers...they have every right to drug test their employees...I know I would not want a drug head working for me!! "
To wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:06 PM:
" Sounds like to me you support drug users or you would not be against the drug testing of welfare receipents. Yeah, it might be different if they worked for their drug money...but they don't....and the benefits are for the kids!! Glad you think it's alright for lazy people to spend their childs income on drugs...Yes, your "Sad" alright!! And I'm not judging them because of their income...I have a friend that is on welfare (not on drugs)....and she does without so that her kids can be taken care of....and she just got her GED and plans to go to college next fall. At least she is trying to get off welfare. Not soaking it up like a big old sponge...like most people do. If your kids end up on drugs...will you still support drug use? "
I like welfare wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:00 PM:
" I'm glad there is welfare....just more jobs available out there for me. "
Just Don't Get It wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:58 PM:
" I just don't get it. How do people that are perfectly able to work qualify for welfare to begin with? Drugs or no drugs....make them go to work!! "
Ohio wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:48 PM:
" Besides drug testing, a case worker should randomly visit welfare recipients home once a month to investigate. Check to ensure that the child(ren) have an adequate food supply, proper hygeine products, shoes, and clothing. After all, this is what the benefits are for...right? "
alice wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:40 PM:
" The drug test needs to be done by hair samples. Everybody knows that there are things you can take in order to pass a urine test. My friend once smoked a marijuana joint....and passed a urine test the very next day! Later, took a drug test by hair.....and failed it! "
sad wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:27 PM:
" What a sad thing to see in the paper on MLK jr Day.....constituional rights being violated simply because of their income. i forgot though, people today in america dont care about their civil liberties so long as they get to take away from others and put people in jail for things they dont personally like. whats this country coming to. next thing you know we'll be tested just to see if we are allowed to live somewhere. Where does this slipperly slope end guys? "
Welfare...A Bad Influence wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:25 PM:
" Welfare these days seems to be the new popular thing. I mean children on welfare get everything handed to them for free. For example, I read not long ago that in Bracken County, children in middle school that get welfare whould be given free computers. That's not fair!!! I had to pay hard earned money to get my child a computer. Why not give them all a free computer? What about children not on welfare and working parents that cannot afford a computer? I once heard my step-daughter say that when she grows up she wants to be on welfare like her mother....because of all the free stuff they receive and not have to work for it. Well, she is right! "
What? wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:11 PM:
" As far as the children going hungry...I know people that get foodstamps now and the children still go hungry...because their drugs and alcohol is more important to them....they sell their foodstamps for drug money....what they do is...take someone to the grocery store...use their card to pay...then the person pays them cash in return....alot of good it done to do away with paper food stamps!! See, there goes the childrens food! "
stupid wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:04 PM:
" even if there are valid reasons for checking, its still an invasion of privacy no matter which way you cut it. sorry, cant support this. if they ban cigarettes and alcohol, maybe ill change my mind. "
Right on wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:01 PM:
" Yes I agree totally with this bill so I totaly agree that it will never go thru but it would make a big difference. "
Bout Time!! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:32 PM:
" The welfare people eat steak...while the working class eat potted meat!!! What a shame!! All the wefare people have to do is wait by the mailbox once a month!! This makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!
"
Not fair!! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:26 PM:
" Why arent welfare people forced to go to work in KY? In Ohio, they have to work out their benefits or they will lose them. And why do welfare people get everything free? I wanted to put my son in a youth work program, but because I wasn't on welfare, he was not qualified. And I had to pay $100 to have my phone hooked up, but the lady said if I was on welfare, I could have it hooked up for free. Oh my God!! When is it gonna end?? "
What about child support? wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:15 PM:
" I agree with the drug testing of welfare recipients. But what about the women that take advantage of and blow child support? My husband pays out $300 bi-weekly to his ex-wife...this is on top of her welfare....and the children still do without alot of the things that they need. She blows the money at bars and the tanning salon. She once sent one of the kids to school with holes in their shoes, while she had a brand new pair of K-Swiss on her feet. Something needs to be done about this too. They should be ordered to show receipts of where the child support is going. "
its about time! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:14 PM:
" I have been saying this for years! I won't repeat what most everyone has already stated. If the drug testing is considered unconstitutional, then maybe it's about time to change the constitution. If we don't get it together and make things right for the working people of America, this country will eventually implode from this type of waste. I hope the Ledger makes sure that REP HENLEY knows what a positive response they have received about this bill. I feel that all states should get it on the ballot! Maybe with enough voter backing they can get this changed! "
It's About Time!!! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:09 PM:
" I also love this idea!! As far as people not agreeing with this idea because they feel that the children will suffer....duh...do you think they won't suffer from being raised with drug users? The recipients that fail the drug test should have their children taken away. Yes, welfare is intended for the care of children, but unfortunately, only the parents benefit from it. "
Call in more support wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:56 PM:
" I think that Kentucky citizens need to call their representatives and senators to get this bill moved forward!! It's about time we stop supporting the low-life welfare recipients. I work for a living and know that I cannot use drugs or I would lose my job. Perhaps its time that we encourage these dispicable people who suck the life out of the working class to get off their couches and get a job!! I say we get rid of welfare altogether. If I can get a job and support my family, why can't someone else!! "
Arnold Dodge wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:10 PM:
" If anyone is interested in getting in touch with his or her Representative Please go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/whoswho/email.htm
And click below their name.
"
roadrunner wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:34 PM:
" Great idea. The only ones that will complain is the ones on drugs.Pass the bill "
me wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:26 PM:
" who are the ACLU anyway and how did they get so much power that they should even have a say on anything? maybe welfare should be dealt out like a credit card that cant be used for certain things (Drugs definitely)like Alcohol. Most people on welfare drink.
Let me warn you about this bill ,that would make an awesome law...it makes sense..so it wont happen. "
JAY wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:59 PM:
" I bet 75% of welfare recipents lose their check in the first year! You can bank on it! "
Sick of the system wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:55 PM:
" I think this is a good idea! Where do you think they are getting them money to buy drugs! They can`t work were they are getting drug tested so they draw checks and work under the table to support their habit...Well I should say WE are supporting their habits! I work were I have a random drug test, They should d othe same thing! "
wiseone wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:35 PM:
" Call/email your congressman and representitives "
Anthony wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:26 PM:
" This is for the person who signed in as (concerned) poppy seed buns CAN NOT make you test dirty in a drug test do your home work. You would have to eat alot of buns to do that.I am police officer and most of the people we arrest for drugs are on welfare because they can't pass a drug test because they refuse to get help or just to stop using drugs and if you would see what the children go through or how they are living and how they tend to follow the same path of their parents you wouldn't say they would be victoms you would be saying here is a better life for our children.What ever we have to do to save our children from this kind of life we better do it now and act fast because it's getting to the point of no return with our drug problem in this nation.We should get our childern out of this rut that they are living in and teach to be respectful,religious,and up standing citizens. "
concerned wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:26 PM:
" the problem i see with this drug screening is that alot of drugs are in and out of your system anyway.especially hardcore drugs,like painkillers cocaine etc.and some medications can make you test dirty.even poppy seed buns have made people loose there jobs so really its too contrversial. "
Linda wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:15 PM:
" I have been searching the website and trying to find a phone number to call and push this bill... I can't find that bill at all.. can you help with any info?... thanks.. "
Thinking.... wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:36 PM:
" We are paying for the kids and the parents one way or the other, if the parents fail the test and we take the kids then aren't we still paying for them to go to orphanges or foster homes? Make the parents go to drug counseling on the first offense then discuss taking the children away....but I support the bill!!! "
yes wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:07 PM:
" it about time "
Tony wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:50 PM:
" Remember people "UNITED WE STAND" we have to stand up to the ACLU and get this passed. "
way to go wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:52 AM:
" I believe this is such a fair thing to do ,pass this law and maybe the children will get their money. "
Bill wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:51 AM:
" I agree with the state represenative that welfare particpants should be tested for drugs. Drug treatment should be manditory for those who test positive for drugs if they wish to continue on the welfare programs. I agree that children would be better off in foster care than to remain in the homes of parents that are doing illegal drugs. There is not enough accountability for those receiving welfare as there should be. "
Julie wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:39 AM:
" It is unconstitutional for our children to be brought up in homes full of drugs. The parents that are using drugs rarely are caught and offered "help". If users are drug tested, then they could get this help. The reform may cost a lot of money now, but it will pay off in at least five to ten years. As a working tax payer, I would vote yes on this bill. "
wiseone wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:36 AM:
" Great bill. I dont know who (besides drug users/suppliers)would not be for this. If the parents are on drugs,the children are not getting the things they need anyway. We (the working people)are just paying for their drugs. I have to take a drug test to work. I think they should to. For the very few that do need welfare, I think they will not have a problem, as they are not on drugs. "
Working Parent wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:02 AM:
" I am subjected to random drug test to keep my job. If I don't pass and lose my job, my child will suffer. I know parents that get welfare or receive child support that spend the money on drugs other than their kids. The kids are suffering with the welfare or without because the parents depend on others to provide for their kids any way. "
jeannie wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:54 AM:
" I agree with Rep Henley; parents are already jeopardizing their children's welfare by using drugs and these same children grow up using drugs and being on welfare as statistics continue to show.
If ACLU thinks it's discrimation to test welfare recipients; then working adults should countersue to level the playing field..... "
Jane wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:53 AM:
" Way to GO!!!! If the parents are on drugs, then the children go hungry anyway. Why should welfare support drugs? "
Great Idea! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:49 AM:
" I think it's a wonderful idea! If these deadbeats would get off their butts and get a job, we the working people wouldn't have all our money going to support them. I realize they are some that actually need the assistance - but the ones who need it can't get it. The government pays the welfare system abusers NOT to work, to keep having more children that they can not feed, buys their groceries and even pays all their medical bills. While on the other hand, the working class have to go without health care, pay $3.10 a gallon for gas to drive to a $6.00 an hour job and do without a college education because they can't afford it. These deadbeats are sucking the life out of the country, they have cell phones, DVD players, and all the latest technical gadgets available. It just makes me sick. People that actually work have no advantages - it's time to stop the madness. I say call your legislators, encourage them to pass the bill and maybe the deadbeats will move out of Kentucky to another state. Let them support them - we're tired of it! "
hopeful wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:45 AM:
" if welfare is for the children and the adults are using the money for drugs how will this program hurt thelittle ones? as far as cost for the program,how much is a kid worth? I am all for it. "
Finally! wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:36 AM:
" I think this is a great idea! It's about time someone thought of this. I think this should have been done a long time ago!!! "
taxpayer wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:36 AM:
" Thats a great idea. Our tax dollars shouldn't go to pay for illegal drugs. If they test positive for drugs the children should be removed from the home so there will be no worry that innocent children not only won't go hungry but they will avoid being exposed to drug use. "
Maysville Reader wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:22 AM:
" Newt Gingrich got in trouble years ago for saying these children would be better off in orphanages, but they would. Drug test the parents, and if they fail put the children in an orphanage while the parents are forced to stop using drugs. Everyone else is required to pass drug tests, so why should the lazy poor be so special.
When rich people put their children in orphanages they are called "boarding schools." An orphanage doesn't have to be a terrible, Dickensian place. I would almost certainly be an improvement to the life these children are currently living. "
Cassandra wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:42 AM:
" Just a thought-wonder how much money actually makes it's way to "children" when parents are drug addicted. Using children as an excuse not to drug test is beyond insane. Drug addicts would sell their children for a fix. Let's put some teeth in welfare reform. Just as we don't allow drug addicts/dealers in housing projects, why should we pay them benefits?? "
DJ wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:27 AM:
" If the recipient of the assistance can't pass a drug test aren't they already placing a hardship on their children "
concerned taxpayer wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:24 AM:
" I think this is a wonderful idea and if a parent loves there child they will get off the drugs. Give them a few weeks warning to make sure the drugs our out of there system and if they don't abide by the rules then they do not get the assistance. I see this everyday couples who don't get married on purpose so they can get all this extra money for drugs and that's exactly where the money goes. This world needs to become a better place it's so scary to even drive up the road most of the drivers are either drinking on drugs prescription or other wise and smoking pot. Maybe at least it will be much safer on the highways. "
barb wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:20 AM:
" i think it is a very good idea. and i agree if childern or living in a home under drug coditions there is not much hope for them your kids see what you have done all your lifes and then before you know it they are living on drugs too. they would be better off taken out of the home to better parents. i think there is too many people getting welfare that could work then you got people that needs help and can't get help. i have worked all my married life then i had a accident in 1995 they made me keep working my husband had just retired and had to go back to work so we could have insurance. we have wen't down from 5000 dollars a year to 2500 dollars a year we really strugle to get by pay or high utilites grocerys and gas to travel. but yet we can't get help. because his first job he retired from he froze his mutal funds what we have to live on for old age but we are haveing to get in to it at the end odf the year to pay proberty taxes car insurance we all have to have or you will get sued so i think it is a good idea. there are some people on welfare that really needs it. but what about or old people we have to decide do we buy or medicne this month, and times we can't because you have to eat and pay your utitiles. so go henley with this and i hope you can get it passed "
Working Man wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:21 AM:
" If the parents of these children are using drugs the children need to be takn from them. Some people need the welfare, and the others abuse it. So really why do we care for the people sitting on there butts and abuse welfare while we are at work trying to make enough money to put food on our tables and the tables that need it. And drugs on the tables of people that abuse welfare! "
Good Idea wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:34 AM:
" I hope this passes. I know a lot of people that abuse the program. It's meant to be a means to an end, not a way of life. Generations of welfare recipients is a bit ludacris. Maybe the reason they don't have "real" jobs is due in part to the drug usage anyway. "
Worker wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:39 AM:
" I work, I get tested, If I fail,I lose my job !!!! Pass this bill "
clean-up wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:26 AM:
" children are always at risk to becoming drug users in homes where the parents are involved in drugs anyway. this may encourage parents to clean up their act on behalf of their children. something has to be done..our country is becoming a drug society. foster homes are not the answer either...parents need to show children what life is really about..love for one another..and God in the center. as far as the workers getting tested..so should welfare recipents. tax money being spent wisely in doing so. "
Arron wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:03 AM:
" I for one support this bill, Kudos to Rep Henley. "
ANON wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:42 PM:
" I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! i just wanted to say that... its time someone stand up to welfare men and women that live off of what i pay into the state and do nothing... their kids get free stuff and they sit on their butts and do what they please, while we get up and work and go in debt trying to provide for our kids AND THEIRS. "
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