Drug Testing For All

The Associated Press has an article about states that are considering drug testing for anyone receiving public assistance including food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare. Proponents, mostly Republican politicians it seems, claim a concern for the health of the recipients and, according to the article, "ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds." Oh yeah, and the message that there ain't so such thing as a free lunch.

Buzz Flash asks,"Shouldn't Wall Street Execs Take Mandatory Drug Tests Since They are On Welfare? States consider drug tests for welfare recipients. But aren't Wall Street bankers and insurance guys also welfare recipients? Shouldn't they have to pee in a cup or something else humiliating?"

Yes, they should, but I would go one step further. From the article:

"Nobody's being forced into these assistance programs," said Craig Blair, a Republican in the West Virginia Legislature who has created a Web site — notwithmytaxdollars.com — that bears a bobble-headed likeness of himself advocating this position. "If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not these benefits?"

Since state legislators receive money from the government why not add them to the list of those facing drug testing? How many elected officials so hell bent to force this on others are willing to submit to drug testing?

Close to zero, I bet.