If somebody’s working and taking dope, that’s their business. If somebody’s on unemployment and using unemployment dollars at the expense of the taxpayer, then I have a problem.Wyoming State Rep. Michael Madden • Explaining why he decided to introduce a bill which would require certain members of America’s unemployed population to consent to a drug test prior to receiving benefits from the government. Republicans are expected to introduce similar measures in states around the country this year, despite all signs pointing to Florida’s first-in-the-nation state welfare recipient drug testing program being a failure that quickly increased the state’s annual spending. After all, why look for legitimate solutions to our nation’s woes when we can just fall back on outdated and inaccurate stereotypes? source
6M Americans per year will pay a penalty under the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, according to a new CBO estimate
$8B in additional revenue per year will be collected via these penalties source
It’s a form of welfare, having the taxpayers take care of somebody, and I’m an ordinary citizen. I should pay for my own protection.Ron Paul • Speaking on Jay Leno about his lack of need for Secret Service protection. But the thing is, presidents and presidential candidates have been killed before on the campaign trail. This is not an unrealistic concern. Not sure if we agree with Paul on this one.
» The nitty-gritty: ”If we’re going to impose standards on drug testing,” Dvorak said, “then it should apply to everybody who receives government money.” McMillin claimed that he had to withdraw the bill after Dvorak’s amendment was added, due to a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that it’s unconstitutional to drug test candidates for elected office…but that logic is flawed, as the Dvorak Amendment would have only required testing of officials already in office, not candidates. Surprisingly, McMillin said he plans to introduce a new version of the bill….that requires lawmaker testing as well. “Give me the cup right now and I will be happy to take the test,” McMillin said. (EDIT: corrected spelling error)
A wholesale reduction in spending, without considering economic, cultural, and social impacts is simply irresponsible. We must also be mindful that many of the proposed spending reductions would disproportionately affect the neediest among us.Sen. Scott Brown • In a letter to Senate Republicans. This is notable primarily due to how rare it is for a Republican legislator to speak so bluntly on behalf of the poor. He also voiced flat opposition to a government shutdown. Only time will tell what these words translate into policy-wise. Still, Brown is looking more and more like a true moderate Republican, a rare site in Congress these days. source (via • follow)
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