There was a recent story in the news about Kansas’s efforts to make drug testing mandatory for anyone receiving any kind of public assistance.  Now it seems there are several other states who are considering these same measures.  West Virginia is home to one of the most vocal supporters.  Craig Blair, who is a Republican in the state’s legislative arm, asks the same question many of us have voiced over the years, “If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not these benefits?”

Of course, there are those who believe this is an effort to further complicate the lives of those most

WV Delegate Craig Blair

vulnerable during these tough economic times.  That falls short with many, and for good reason.  If money or other valuable commodities (such as food stamps) are being used to purchase or trade illegal drugs, then it boils down to the taxpayers supporting those illegal habits.  There’s a saying: Those with nothing to hide, hide nothing.  As Blair says, “Nobody’s being forced into these assistance programs”. 

Not since the mid-60s has America seen so many on its welfare rosters.  There are 5.4 million people who are collecting unemployment.  Of course, it’s a trend we’ve all expected and have watched as it progressed to these incredibly high numbers. 

But is this unconstitutional? Considering we must undergo drug testing before we’re hired for a job and more recently, high schools that require drug testing before students are allowed to participate in any school-sponsored activity, I think the argument could be made that it’s certainly not unconstitutional.

In the meantime, Blair has brought live a website that reveals his adamant belief this should be passed into law, not only in West Virginia, but in every state.  Sally Susman, a Democratic member of West Virginia’s legislature, sent a scathing letter to Blair who so kindly posted it on his site for the world to see.  There are a few sentences in her letter than fall short of making sense; nonetheless, you can read it here.  One rhetorical (I hope it was rhetorical) question struck me as odd, “Why not force the Hollywood movie stars to submit random tests?”  The Hollywood movie stars are not receiving public assistance. 

Blair has far more support than I realized until I visited this site.  According to several media polls, the vast majority of the residents in West Virginia agree with Blair.  Not a single one reflects less than 80% of those who agree with him.  So is this one of those hot button issues that’s been long overdue and just waiting for the right person to demand change?  Probably, especially since the polls show overwhelming support.  My guess is it just took the right person to step up to the plate and not back down from political pressure.  These programs are in place to help our neighbors most in need; it fails when it’s not used for the purpose it was designed for and becomes a burden we, as taxpayers, have come to resent.  You can visit Blair’s site here.

The topic of the young woman in California who gave birth to the octuplets less than one month ago has deliberately been avoided in these postings; partly because of an opinion that might not have been fair before now. As with all things in the media, it was a matter of time before other facts surfaced that would either put this woman in a favorable light or completely knock the light out.
Anyone who’s followed this story is aware of Nadya Suleman’s skewed views on motherhood. We know she now has fourteen children, is not married and is unemployed. Further, she lives with her parents who are forced to play a large role, and during her two month hospital stay, the lion’s share of, raising these kids. Further, they all share (17 people in total) a three bedroom home. It’s been widely speculated that the costs associated with raising these kids would fall to the taxpayers. Remember, California is already in big trouble with its budget and is facing cutbacks in nearly every program it currently shoulders. Now, it appears the taxpayers will indeed foot the bill for this woman’s choices.
Part of the problem with this story is the doctor (or doctors) who played a role in the in-vitro fertilization of all these children. To say their decision to impregnate this woman was irresponsible and short-sided only begins to describe their lack of good sense. One can’t help but wonder why they’re not ordered to offset the expenses - maybe in the form of child support. The clinic and at least one physician are under investigation in this case.
Make no mistake, these are beautiful babies. But they’re not mine. And they’re not yours. Needless to say, citizens of California are vehemently opposed to this. The mother was already receiving nearly $500 per month in food stamps and social security benefits for at least a few of these little ones. And if you’re wondering who will cover the costs of the hospital bills, which are certainly going to be brutally high, wonder no more: Medi-Cal has already received some requests for payments. The babies aren’t expected to be released from the hospital for at least three months.
From newspapers to radio talk shows, people are angry. And they’re not biting their tongues. One Los Angeles Times columnist, Tim Rutten, said “…raising 14 children takes not simply a village, but the combined resources of the county, state and federal governments”. He went so far as to call the mother “grotesque”.
There are demands of sterilization and demands to know why taxpayers must make child support payments for fourteen children that aren’t theirs.
Her only statement, released through her attorney, says that she’s under pressure that no one could be prepared for. That’s confusing at best since she knew she was being implanted with multiples and knew the possibility existed for at least six live births and since two eggs split, she has two sets of twins for the total of eight births.
It is impossible to discern one single wise choice this woman has made throughout the course of her adult life. Somehow, she managed to tell NBC, and with a straight face, that she would be pursuing her master’s degree in counseling. Student loans would be necessary and she currently owes $50,000 for past student loans.
This story won’t be going away for a long time. With an estimate of 1.5 million dollars just in hospital bills for these babies’ extended stays, I doubt public outrage will be dissipating either. Hopefully, she’s satisfied with her attempts at motherhood. She’s certainly succeeded - all without a way to support this success nor a husband who will play a role in their upbringing.

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