An Interesting Perspective From a Taxpayer

[karrie]

Obviously, a forward I received

INTERESTING POINT
> >
> >
> >
> > I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my
> > taxes as it sees fit.
> >
> > In order to earn that pay cheque, as I work on a rig site at a Fort
> > Mac Murray, Alta., construction project, I am required to pass a
> > random urine test, with which I have no problem.
> >
> > What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to
> > people who don't have to pass a urine test.
> >
> >
> > Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare cheque
> > because I have to pass one to earn it for them???
> >
> > Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on
> > their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping
> > someone sit on their arse drinking beer & smoking dope.
> >
> > Could you imagine how much money the provinces would save if people
> > had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque?!!
> >
> > Please pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't.
> >
> >
> > Hope you all will pass it along though, because something has to
> > change in this country, and soon!!!

 

[Lester]

It woulds cost millions to administer these drug tests to welfare recipients who would probably just go buy a pee kit LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. I'm not saying this isn't a legit complaint but how could it be done? and if somebody falls on hard times temporarily (due to an accident or Ill health) do we have a right to scrutinize and dictate the lifestye they had before welfare? Drug addiction is an illness make no mistake by assuming that it's a choice it may have been in the begining when a person first starts using but once addicted it becomes a downward spiral that usually ends in an overdose and death.
Very few people get out of it, it draws them back over and over.

 

[karrie]

There were a few things that jumped out at me as being wrong with the notion as well Lester. Mainly, that the main drug which is a problem for the poor is... alcohol... perfectly legal, so how can you penalize. That, and why would we discriminate in what kind of illness qualifies you for help. Addiction is probably one of the nastiest out there.

 

[Sal]

> >
> > Could you imagine how much money the provinces would save if people
> > had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque?!!

Could you imagine, how many more children would go to bed beaten and hungry if their parents ahd to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque?

 

[karrie]

Could you imagine, how many more children would go to bed beaten and hungry if their parents ahd to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque?

Uh huh.

I like the idea of pushing people to get off welfare. I like the idea of lending every scrap of assistance they're willing to take. I like the idea of a leg up. But man, tossing the addicts out into the street? Not really a good answer. But perhaps mandatory drug counseling if they're found to be using would be? It definitely wouldn't be a cost saving measure though. 8O

 

[Sal]

Uh huh.

I like the idea of pushing people to get off welfare. I like the idea of lending every scrap of assistance they're willing to take. I like the idea of a leg up. But man, tossing the addicts out into the street? Not really a good answer. But perhaps mandatory drug counseling if they're found to be using would be? It definitely wouldn't be a cost saving measure though. 8O

I don't know if I like the idea of pushing people off of welfare. But I do know what you mean (I think).

I know the welfare mentality drives me crazy but I equally hate the highly emotional plaintive cry of "all welfare people are pieces of crap and I'M NOT SUPPORTING THEM WITH MY TAX DOLLAR". I think maybe I hate those frigging whiners worse than the drug addicted money grubbers.

At least the drug addicted money grubbers have a chance at becoming human when/if they clean themselves up. I will never see the others as human.

Narrowness of vision, and hardness of heart are a disease of the human spirit equally in need of repair. Neither group seem capable of seeing themselves as they are.

Funny how that works.

 

[karrie]

To clarify I guess you could say more like trying to motivate and encourage people, than to 'push them off' of welfare. I don't honestly think most people want to spend their lives on assistance.

 

[Sal]

To clarify I guess you could say more like trying to motivate and encourage people, than to 'push them off' of welfare. I don't honestly think most people want to spend their lives on assistance.

Ooooooooooooh Karrie, I so want to agree with ya here but, I have met some people that would take the last crumb from another's mouth if it meant they didn't have to move their ass from their couch and drop their channel-changer.

Honestly, over the years (because of the industry I worked in and some of the people we hired) I have become jaded. I work very, very hard to be open minded and maintain a balance about welfare as I don't want to become one of those... "ALL welfare people ARE" types.

Sometimes it's a challenge.

 

[faithlessforeve]

Ooooooooooooh Karrie, I so want to agree with ya here but, I have met some people that would take the last crumb from another's mouth if it meant they didn't have to move their ass from their couch and drop their channel-changer.

Honestly, over the years (because of the industry I worked in and some of the people we hired) I have become jaded. I work very, very hard to be open minded and maintain a balance about welfare as I don't want to become one of those... "ALL welfare people ARE" types.

Sometimes it's a challenge.

Haha. Tim Horton's employees will say the same about us coffee drinkers!!! "All those coffee addicts need to shut up!"......Seriously, once you become jaded, it is time to leave.

 

[Sal]

Haha. Tim Horton's employees will say the same about us coffee drinkers!!! "All those coffee addicts need to shut up!"......Seriously, once you become jaded, it is time to leave.

All you coffee addicts speak quickly, and I doubt quiet is a part of the Timmy's experience. At least it never is for me.

 

[faithlessforeve]

All you coffee addicts speak quickly, and I doubt quiet is a part of the Timmy's experience. At least it never is for me.

Sorry, I meant to say that us coffee addicts have attitudes! :lol: In otherwords, they will start to think we are all the same after working there for so long.

 

[Sal]

Sorry, I meant to say that us coffee addicts have attitudes! :lol: In otherwords, they will start to think we are all the same after working there for so long.

*smack* of course we are all the same. We are addicts. Sugar, fat, caffeine... not necessarily in that order.

 

[faithlessforeve]

*smack* of course we are all the same. We are addicts. Sugar, fat, caffeine... not necessarily in that order.

But if I take two sugar, and you take three, are we still the same in the eyes of our caffeine pushers? :?: Are they still so jaded as to believe that you and I are the same because of our taste for the drug caffeine?

 

[Sal]

But if I take two sugar, and you take three, are we still the same in the eyes of our caffeine pushers? :?: Are they still so jaded as to believe that you and I are the same because of our taste for the drug caffeine?

Tch, I am totally into chemical. Bring on the Splenda. Have you no taste at all? Then again, is it refined sugar or raw?

I might give ya points for refined. If it's raw, you only get caffeine points. And if you never eat a donut, bong........ no points at all.

I ate a toffee donut the other day. You haven't lived 'til you've had one of them. 340 calories of fat, sugar, and refined white flour that tasted worse than eating a cardboard box.:x

It's just all about choosing the right poisonous food and drink. Otherwise the jade is just fake.

 

[faithlessforeve]

Tch, I am totally into chemical. Bring on the Splenda. Have you no taste at all? Then again, is it refined sugar or raw?

I might give ya points for refined. If it's raw, you only get caffeine points. And if you never eat a donut, bong........ no points at all.

I ate a toffee donut the other day. You haven't lived 'til you've had one of them. 340 calories of fat, sugar, and refined white flour that tasted worse than eating a cardboard box.:x

It's just all about choosing the right poisonous food and drink. Otherwise the jade is just fake.

ok, now I gotta get out of my room and walk to Timmies and get me some of that toffee. And if that caffeine pusher gives me 'tude, I will tell him it was YOU who made me show up twice in one day!!!!!

 

[karrie]

...I work very, very hard to be open minded and maintain a balance about welfare as I don't want to become one of those... "ALL welfare people ARE" types.

Sometimes it's a challenge.

Well, as someone pointed out over drinks last night, 'stereotypes are there for a reason.'

 

[gerryh]

Well, as someone pointed out over drinks last night, 'stereotypes are there for a reason.'

and what was the reason givien?

 

[karrie]

and what was the reason givien?

The point was that stereotypes are usually built around a core of truth. That no, they don't apply to ALL people, but, to many. Like the stereotype that Alberta's a redneck conservative province. Um, yep. It doesn't make all Albertans that way, but, quite a darn few!

 

[gerryh]

The point was that stereotypes are usually built around a core of truth. That no, they don't apply to ALL people, but, to many. Like the stereotype that Alberta's a redneck conservative province. Um, yep. It doesn't make all Albertans that way, but, quite a darn few!

Sorry...but your example doesn't support your statement..... Most Albertans are NOT rednecks and they are NOT conservative....the damn PC party in Alberta isn't conservative....it is more centrist or even left leaning. The same with the statement that "most welfare recipients are bums"..... this is far from the truth and in reality the "abusers" are in the minority. Unless you can come up with some solid figures to prove the opposite.

 

[karrie]

You're taking my comment regarding stereotypes to a bit of an extreme. I was merely empathizing with Sal's comment that sometimes it's a challenge to look past the stereotype, because you see those who do feed it. The stereotype isn't born out of thin air. I'm not saying it's 'correct' or that it's statistically backed up. Just that it can be hard to stay clear of letting it sway you when you see people who fit it.