The Dumbest Thing I have Seen in a While

Warning: If you in your heart of hearts think there is EVER a circumstance where children should pay for the mistakes of their parents stop reading now. If you keep reading, it's your own fault and I will not be held responsible for your anger.

Here's a facebook post I have seen in my newsfeed multiple times this week so this isn't directed at one person, but a concept in general:

"Kentucky just passed the best law ever. To be on Food stamps, Medicaid, or Cash Assistance for your Children or yourself You have to pass a DRUG Test. Now, every other state should do the same. If you agree re-post. People that work have to take a drug test, so should they."

It took everything in me not to comment directly to these people, but honestly we live in Oklahoma and that's just the thought process around here and I don't want to go off ruining relationships with people based on what they post on their facebook because it's theirs and they can post what they want (run on!). Well this is my blog and I am going to say what I want about it.

Now I can get on board with people believing that passing a drug test should be a requirement to receive government assistance, especially in the form of cash. That doesn't mean I agree with the concept because it's not really practical, will cost the government money to conduct said drug tests, and it's demeaning to the people who aren't abusing the system and don't do drugs and just need a leg up in life. But I'll be fair and say that I can see where people are coming from. I imagine that the state of Kentucky will spend more money with this new practice than they'll save kicking people off of government assistance, but whatever. What I CAN NOT get on board for is this: people who are my "friends" on facebook just said loud and clear to their whole network that they firmly believe that every state should adopt a policy that would remove benefits from CHILDREN.  These same "friends" who post a scripture as every other facebook status said they believe that CHILDREN should suffer for the mistakes of their parents. Are you going to adopt these children if their parents are denied all forms of assistance including Medicaid which is FOR CHILDREN? No, you'll probably say, "Aw man, those poor  kids are starving and sick in Kentucky. Someone should figure out a program to help them out." THEY DID AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA TO GET RID OF IT!!!!!!!

You can actually read the bill here.

I don't understand the big hang up with people and government assistance for lower income people. Do you realize how many people this system actually benefits? Do you also realize how little money you actually have to make to be eligible? Wanna swap lives with these people? Yes, some people abuse the system and that's really irritating. If you actually know a person abusing the system and it makes you that mad, report them! People also cheat on their taxes, why aren't people up in arms complaining all the time??

What's even more irritating to me is that people seem to want to cut programs that don't pertain to their circumstance. "Well I'm not on welfare so they should just get rid of it!" Well sorry, but the world doesn't revolve around you.

Put things in perspective. Tax time is coming up. I have a feeling that Bill Gates isn't reading my blog so I think I can make a generalized statement about my readers. Look at your W-2 and see what you paid in taxes this year (especially State). Do you really think that your little contribution (may seem big to you, but in the scheme of things, it's probably not that big) paid for every road that you drove down, every water quality testing, regulation, YOUR NOMINATED OFFICIALS SALARY, public schools your children may attend, police & fire protection, food subsidies so that you can have more affordable food, research, the list goes ON AND ON AND ON,all of these service you use daily? Which one of these would you like to cut if you're so concerned about taxes? Are you starting to realize what a small portion of the pie is taken by government assistance?!?

I don't get mad about taxes because I appreciate the services that our government provides for me and I use them every day. I don't like giving my money away, but I'm really making a payment for services I use. Just like I pay my insurance and tuition and every other service I use.

If you want to be mad about taxes. Then get mad. Write your congressmen. Come up with better ideas and present them at public forums. Make your voice heard. But don't put on facebook that you think children should suffer for their parents mistakes because it's not their fault and I'm gonna blog about it.

Posted in: Politics