This letter to the editor, actually. Craig Blair has introduced a bill into the West Virginia State House that would require drug testing for recipients of public assistance. Amid the writers arguments that it "criminalizes" being poor, he sites both the Fourth and Fifth Amendment.
And, I'm thinking, where in the Constitution does it mention anything about confiscating the wages of one to give to another?
It just seems a tad ironic (not in the Alanis Morrisett way) to be using the Constitution to defend a position regarding an entitlement which isn't granted in the Constitution.
Don't want to get drug tested to get your free cash? Tough. No one is forcing you to take public assistance.
Bonus heh:
The good book teaches that the right approach is to view them with respect, treat them with equality, and preserve their dignity. Blair's bill does the opposite.
AAACK!! Separation of church and state! ALERT ALERT.
But, to his point, the good book doesn't mention confiscating my money either. You're supposed to give willingly. Which folks usually do at their church.
This is from the WV Legislature's website:
House Bill 4482 would require applicants and recipients of temporary assistance for needy families cash benefits participate in a random drug testing program. An applicant or recipient would have 60 days to pass a drug test before being deemed ineligible to receive benefits. The bill would also require legislators to be required to participate in a drug testing program.
Sounds like a great idea.
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