Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Detest People Who Judge Those On Welfare

The Australian Government is about to start a trial for drug testing Welfare recipients.
They called for public submissions on the proposal.
52 organisations responded. Of those 52 submissions, 52 opposed the drug testing of Welfare recipients.
Those of you who say this is a good idea, think about this.
When a celebrity or sport star has a drug addiction problem, what is societies response?
Mostly it is sympathy, they end up surrounded by people of goodwill offering them all the help they need to overcome their addiction.
It is classed as a health issue and people want them to get better and return to normality.
But if you come from a disadvantaged background and you have a drug addiction then you are a loser, a deadbeat, a bludger who deserves no sympathy
The hypocrisy of society appalls me.
If a welfare recipient tests positive to any kind of illegal drug they will be placed on income management for 2 years.
I wrote a letter to the editor regarding this proposal,

- It is interesting to note that Canberra(Australian Capital and where Parliament sits) is third on the list of the nations States and Territories when it comes to the consumption of Cocaine.
It is also interesting to remember that only 3 of 128 Victorian Politicians volunteered to be drug tested when asked to set a precedent.
When Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews spoke about introducing random breath testing at State Parliament, several members stated they plan to defy the order, describing it as bizarre, ridiculous and offensive.
All public servants should by randomly tested. Yet legal experts state that this is an invasion of privacy because what a person does outside of business hours is their business.
Police take the zero tolerance stance, if it is in your system them you are impaired.
The Federal Government is targeting highly vulnerable people with the drug testing while hypocritically saying, "I am untouchable because I am a Politician"

Several years ago a reporter surreptitiously swabbed many rest rooms of Lawyers, Doctors, the Judicial Courts and many other High Flyers in Perth. These rest rooms were not for public use. The public had no access to them.
Every one of those rest rooms returned positive drug readings, from Cocaine, Heroin and all the others.
There was one five line article in the paper then it was never reported again.
As stated, the Hypocrisy of society appalls me.
Rant over.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
SW-User
I think Arizona here in the states tried this, it cost them something like 1.4 million dollars to set up the program.
after a year they had removed TWO people from state assistance. Two!
saved the state less than twenty thousand dollars...
snowbelt · 61-69, M
@SW-User Other states have found the same thing. It just doesn't pay.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@SW-User It is simply another way to marginalise those down and outs. It is showing the public that " At least we are trying to save the public money"
It is pitting one group of people against another. Everything about this plan is wrong if they do not subject themselves to the same regime. But Pollies are untouchable
SW-User
@Gusman
politicians should be held to the highest level of accountability, not the lowest..
it's they who have the privilege of public trust. too many seem to believe that we're privileged to have them in office.. that needs to change.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@SW-User That needs to change. But we both know that nothing will happen. The Politicians will continue to fleece the public with all their perks, allowances and entitlements. The public are apathetic and do not even attempt to raise a stink.
They say, "What can I do"?
Stand up and fight is what I say. Have a go. If every one had a go then things will change.
But as Pollies know, if you keep the community divided, by pitting certain groups against each other, as this policy does, then they will never unite to overthrow the common enemy, Bureaucrats will rule and laud it over the masses.