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West Virginia and other states are considering legislation to mandate random drug testing for recipients of both federal and state social 'rescue' programs: Food Assistance (AKA food stamps), unemployment benefits and other social welfare programs.

Finally. Finally. Finally. No more sitting at home stoned and getting a free ride at taxpayer's expense. No more harming your children while on government assistance.

From Yahoo, this AP story...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Want government assistance? Just say no to drugs.

Lawmakers in at least eight states want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing.

The effort comes as more Americans turn to these safety nets to ride out the recession. Poverty and civil liberties advocates fear the strategy could backfire, discouraging some people from seeking financial aid and making already desperate situations worse.

Those in favor of the drug tests say they are motivated out of a concern for their constituents' health and ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds. But proponents concede they also want to send a message: you don't get something for nothing.

West Virginia State Rep. Craig Blair has a web page "Not With My Tax Dollars!!!" that's following West Virginia HB 3007's progress through the legislative process.

This is a well-written proposal; it's enactment would do much to restore taxpayer's faith to a, well, necessary social stopgap. Personally, I don't mind giving up my hard-earned tax dollars to needy people; but I resent - no, hate - the thought that these dollars are going to drug users. While I'm working my ass off to provide for these criminals, they are sitting at home, stoned, watching cartoons. Enough.

Even some Democrats in West Virginia's State House are attached to this bill. Wow.

This, from sponsor Rep. Craig Blair's website..

Attention Illicit Drug Users: Do You Want to Get your Life Back and Quit Now but You Need Help?

Dial this Number on Any Phone: 211 [works only in West Virginia - .ed]

Nowhere in our state or U.S. constitutions is it mandated that financial assistance is a right. Make no mistake, it is a privilege afforded to those in need by the taxpayers via our federal and state governments. Also, unemployment compensation premiums are currently paid by the employer, not the employee; however that may change very soon. We should also remember that illicit drug use is illegal. It is a crime that has criminal penalties.

I think it's time that we get serious about the problem of illegal drug users abusing our public assistance system in West Virginia. We should require random drug testing for every individual receiving welfare, food assistance or unemployment benefits. After all, more and more employers are requiring drug testing. Why not make sure that people who are supposed to be looking for work are already prequalified by being drug free?

What about the children? Won't denying welfare to druggie parents hurt the children?

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Opponents claim that this legislation will hurt the children. Evidence clearly indicates that drug addicted parents are the ones truly inflicting the harm. This bill actually helps to protect the children. Someone who fails a drug test will be given two months to get clean before assistance is cut off. Any good parent would clearly choose their children’s best interest over illegal drugs.

This, from a West Virginia man who swapped food stamps for drugs...

“Some are criticizing this bill, saying it makes the statement if you receive these types of benefits you use drugs,” the St. Albans man said.

“In my experience, the majority of these people do. This bill could help children that are living in a home where this is taking place to get their parents back.”

Doesn't the "new" food stamps, the card-based system, combat the illegal swapping or trading of this benefit? Not so much...

Caldwell and his wife, Mitzi, also told reporters anyone on food stamps can let a drug dealer use his card in exchange for illegal narcotics, and no merchant is the wiser.

“Definitely,” Mitzi Caldwell said. “You can take anybody’s card into any grocery store or Go Mart or Wal-Mart, whatever. The only thing it has is your name on it. And they don’t even ask for nothing. You just swipe the card, put in your PIN, and go.”

Her husband added, “As long as you have the PIN number, you can use the card.”

So even drug users realize that they are harming their own children first. This bill is FOR THE CHILDREN!

What about civil libertarian's concerns?

As for the constitutional issue, it has never been considered by the US Supreme Court. Furthermore, “Big Brother” already invades welfare recipient’s lives by requiring proof of need via payroll receipts and bank account information. Interestingly enough, employees can get fired from their job for drug usage, yet receive unemployment compensation benefits which in turn drives up the cost of employer paid unemployment premiums.

In essence, I believe that this bill will be constitutional. Opponents of this bill are either enablers of bad (illegal) behavior, drug abusers or the most despicable of all...have a personal financial interest/gain in the demise of a certain segment of our society. And, they’ve yet to offer a viable alternative to this legislation.

Is it finally time to require drug Testing for Public Assistance? I hope so, but won't hold my breath. There's too many lefties who's political careers depend on the dependent class to give them votes. To attempt to 'clean up' the dependent class might cost them votes. Just look at the left - liberal uproar over then-President Clinton's Welfare Reform legislation, and President Obama's quick reversal of that. Now, in this current political climate, we see social welfare as a right, not a privilege; and certainly not to be tied to personal behavior.