Too much overdosing on welfare

There has been a push recently to require people receiving welfare to undergo mandatory drug tests. States including Florida, Kentucky and Virginia are all discussing, or have already passed, bills requiring citizens on welfare to be drug-free. Opponents of the idea claim the bill is unconstitutional because it applies to only one social class. Supporters of the bill claim it will ensure government money is being used correctly. Personally, I couldn't agree more with drug testing those on welfare.

Since 1996, after former President Bill Clinton passed welfare reform, states have controlled welfare. During the 2011 legislative sessions, at least 36 states introduced some sort of proposal regarding drug testing and welfare. Predominately Democratic states, such as this one, will likely see a much more contested debate if the bill reaches the floor than solid Republican states.

Recently, Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich called President Barack Obama the "food-stamp president." And while I don't particularly like Gingrich, I admit that after looking at the numbers I can't help but agree with him. Since December 2008, food-stamp use, which is part of the welfare system, has jumped 46 percent, with the total spent on the program doubling to an all-time high of $75.3 billion. Each state's welfare system is supported by the federal government, which gives money to states to assist the poor each year. It seems the White House has irresponsibly pumped funds into this program, much like the previous administration did for failing endangered banks through the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

The welfare program began in the 1930s during the Great Depression. With the recent economic slump, it makes sense that there may be a slight hike in money spent on this program, but a tough economic situation shouldn't increase the reliance on the program so much. Regardless, if people need welfare, they should use it to support their families, not get drugs.

In a democracy, the government serves the citizens with the idea they will obey the laws the government sets out. With welfare, the government helps a group of people with the mindset that they will use the assistance for the correct purposes. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. This is by no means a blanket statement stating all poor people use welfare to buy drugs, but there are some who do.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with the idea of helping those unable to work or find a job take care of their families.

However, since the beginning of the welfare system, people have taken advantage of the help. People sometimes abuse the system by staying single or having more kids to increase government aid. Other people, who are able to work, take advantage of the system by relying on welfare rather than looking for a job. By making the welfare program so big, the government has only enhanced the class deemed "lazy." I imagine it is predominately these irresponsible individuals taking advantage of the welfare system who use government assistance to get the goodies on the street.

Some of these individuals put drugs before family, one of the most despicable acts a person can do, in my mind.

If those on welfare have nothing to hide, then they can take the drug test and continue living their lives. Some Democrats have argued this bill "targets the poor." To this I ask one question to these same politicians — would you willingly give money to someone who you knew was going to use it to buy drugs? I know my answer and I assume you know yours.

Josh Birch is a senior communication and history major. He can be reached at birch@umdbk.com.