The Virginian-Pilot
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Virginians strongly favor drug tests for welfare recipients and many support repealing a requirement that preteen girls be vaccinated against a virus that can cause cervical cancer, according to a new poll conducted by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
They also want public schools to be allowed to open before Labor Day and many favor allowing schools to more easily fire teachers, the poll found.
Three of every four registered voters surveyed by telephone said requiring welfare recipients to be screened for illegal drugs was a good idea. Support for the tests was strong among men and women, all age groups and regardless of political party affiliation. Legislation mandating the test is pending in the Virginia General Assembly; however, a federal judge has issued an injunction in Florida blocking enforcement of a similar law.
Ending a mandate that girls entering the sixth grade be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus was favored by 50 percent of those polled, with 42 percent saying the requirement should be kept in place. Women tended to be more supportive of the repeal than men, and younger voters - 18- to 34-year-olds - were less supportive of the change than older voters.
Changing state law to allow public schools to open before Labor Day appeared to have support from residents across Virginia, including Hampton Roads. Statewide, 57 percent said the ban should be lifted, 35 percent support keeping it and 8 percent were undecided or didn't know.
Almost half of those surveyed also thought it was a good idea that public schools be able to more easily fire teachers. Forty-nine percent liked the idea, 41 percent did not and 10 percent didn't know or didn't say. Opinions varied according to race, gender and income - whites were more likely to favor it than blacks, men more than women and higher-income people more than lower income.
The telephone survey of 1,544 registered voters was taken Feb. 1-6 and included both land lines and cellphones. The poll results, which were made public Thursday, have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Bill Bartel, 757-446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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DOCUMENT | POLL RESULTS
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Drug tests for millionaires
How about drug tests for millionaires like Romney who get special tax breaks?
Oh, really?
You probably won't see this....but what about TAX BREAKS for your Democratic Idols? Obama, Pelosi, Red, Keary??? 7 of the top 10 wealthiest in Congress are Democrats!!!!
#46
What special tax break did Romney get that isn't part of the convoluted tax code that was passed by both democrats and republicans? Of course I don't expect a response because the comment is un-defendable as are most of his comments. At least there was no name calling in this post - a plus I suppose.
The same for all
If government workers must take random (not very random) drug tests to keep their jobs, then why should it not apply to those getting their "Handout or Hand-up" what ever you want to call it from that same government? This money was never meant to be an offset or in most cases their income while they abuse drugs, or was it?
I thought it was meant as a TEMPORARY income, assistance, help, etc. to get them back to work in gainful and meaningful employment. Just remember, we also pay for clinics for rehabilitation too.
In order to save money for
In order to save money for the cost of these test it should be taken out of the recipients first check. That way it costs us nothing to test them. Money problem solved.
And while we are at it lets
And while we are at it lets reform taxes for the rich and poor. Large companies should not be able to pay a lower tax percentage than a family earning 40000. And a family earning 40000 should not be able to get an earned income credit that provides them with more money than they paid for the year.
Matthew 25:34-36
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
I agree
But I don't want the government to mandate what is done with my funds. Let you and me do that on our own...otherwise the government can also tell us to fund abortion clinics.
Read the bill
First, this bill does not require everyone one welfare be tested. Read the summary at:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+sum+HB73
There needs to be some form of 'probable cause' determined by social services to require the recipient to enter a formal drug abuse screening process. This process consists of many Q&A's as well as a drug test.
If a person fails the test, they'll still receive these funds as long as they enter a treatment program.
As long as the recipient stays clean, they will receive these funds.
The Custodial Class
I think the reason this idea's catching on in popularity is because the "working" class is starting to run out of sympathy for the "custodial" class. When those of us who are working responsible jobs (and are drug tested to get or keep them) have what we earn seized by the government, then handed over to those who either cannot or will not make responsible choices or even attempt to get off public assistance, there comes a time when you have to say "ENOUGH!"
"What about the children?" Exactly-WHAT ABOUT THEM? Let's just say I'm about as concerned for their kids as they are about mine. If taking a drug test means I can support my family, then so be it as I have nothing to hide.
I'm just flat OUT of sympathy these days.