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I don't think there's much harm to society in someone who likes a few cups of coffee in the morning, or smokes a pack of Marlboros a day. Not too many people are out robbing stores, homes, and people to get money for their next pack of smokes or cup of Starbucks.
The reason no one is robbing to get money for tobacco products is because tobacco is legal. If marijuana were legal no one would be doing those things to get it either. After all, it's a plant, just like tobacco is, except that it requires less processing and it's not toxic. The behavior you're objecting to is a result of prohibition and the drug war, not the drug itself. On that basis, you should have a problem with your government, not the people who choose a different drug than you do.
By the way, the counties financial problems have more to do with unfunded government employee benefits and pensions than the 3% of welfare residents that use hard drugs. Dumping on the poor is not going to solve the county's fiancial problems.
I don't think there's much harm to society in someone who likes a few cups of coffee in the morning, or smokes a pack of Marlboros a day. Not too many people are out robbing stores, homes, and people to get money for their next pack of smokes or cup of Starbucks.
Even though I was a nicotine addict, I never blamed anyone but myself for taking up a stupid habit like smoking. I never called it a "disease" or played the blame game.
Well, according to the government, Addiction is a disease and shares many likenesses to a common illness.
I agree we do have our fair share of local welfare trash (especially in Garbagedale)....but we are still overrun lately with inner-city people from NYC/NJ who come here for the ease of welfare and Section 8. And with it has come a major spike in crime, go figure.
Pennsylvania twang? Sorry, we don't have a "twang" here. There is definitely a local accent, but when I think "twang" I think of the South.
Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. My mother's family is from western Pa. and many of them clearly speak with a different accent from Noo Yawkas. There is even a difference between Western and N. Eastern residents but that topic is for another thread.
I don't think there's much harm to society in someone who likes a few cups of coffee in the morning, or smokes a pack of Marlboros a day. Not too many people are out robbing stores, homes, and people to get money for their next pack of smokes or cup of Starbucks.
Even though I was a nicotine addict, I never blamed anyone but myself for taking up a stupid habit like smoking. I never called it a "disease" or played the blame game.
I'm not saying you but many who are addicted to nicotine can be a burden to the health care industry. Then think of those who have medicaid, burden to the public.
If I was on welfare and trying to take care of myself and my family, I would have NO PROBLEM submitting to weekly, monthly, random whatever drug test. Just like I don't have a problem submitting to random drug testing by my employer, you know, because I am trying to take care of my family
I'm not saying you but many who are addicted to nicotine can be a burden to the health care industry. Then think of those who have medicaid, burden to the public.
You need to take into account the medical cost associated in treating lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other health issues related to nicotine addiction before proclaiming there is no harm to society when people ingest nicotine. Your health care insurance premiums and everybody else’s are affected by these costs.
You need to take into account the medical cost associated in treating lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other health issues related to nicotine addiction before proclaiming there is no harm to society when people ingest nicotine. Your health care insurance premiums and everybody else’s are affected by these costs.
Exactly! Just looking in terms of welfare those addicted to nicotine and alcohol should be a far bigger concern than those who do drugs. Some drugs are instant death, alcohol and nicotine are slow and usually leads to long term medical care.
BTW, I'm very happy this thread has moved to this forum. Many new thoughts coming into the fold and less bashing of the poor and more of a discussion on the human condition. Often times topics like this on the LI forum turns into ethnic bashing. Look at the Tri County flea market thread. Why did shopping at a flea market have to turn into a rant against non-traditional Long Islanders? I'm glad they closed that thread. Now back to the topic.
Not only drug testing, but welfare recipients should be tested for alcohol and nicotine. If you can afford beer and smokes, you don't need my tax money to buy your food.
Also, food stamps should be used like WIC checks....only certain healthy foods can be purchased. You should not be able to buy Doritos, Tastykakes, Ding Dongs, Cheetos, Mountain Dew, etc etc, with food stamps. You should also be unable to buy Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail. Only reasonably-priced healthy food.
While alcohol & nicotine would unpractical (leave the system too fast); a simpler way is exactly what you stated - by converting food stamps to WIC type restrictions. There are people selling food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar allover the country. I know we've all seen the filet mignon & jumbo shrimp example before. It's sickening..the worst is after in the parking lot when they jump into their Range Rover.
Don't think of this as a derailment but think of it as a way to reach a wider, more intelligent and open minded audience. Not just of few of the narrow minded "good ol boys."
I posted last night for mods to move it,
posted last night at 9:11pm "You're correct. Is there a way I can change the title to remove LI?
Mods: if you can, please move to one of these cats if possible:
-Self-Sufficiency and Preparedness
-True Crime
-Work and Employment
-Politics and other controversies
-Great Debates
thanks."
I would've moved into into one of the first 2 categories, but politics is fine. And I'm pretty sure the LI thread is not full of good ole boys. Bush was the 2nd worst president in history imho, behind papa bush.
And on a side note, it's good to see that nearly 4 out of 5 people think testing for drugs should be done. Now if this were a real democracy, it would have been done decades ago. But liberals don't want to disrupt a major source of votes they get. That's really what this is all about btw.
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