macadian

Fort McMurray is in the oil sands of Alberta.

This was allegedly written by a construction worker in Fort McMurray ...to many he makes a lot of sense! Read on...

"I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.

In order to earn that pay cheque, I work on a rig site for a FortMac
construction project. I am required to pass a random urine test, with
which I have no problem.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people
who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine
test to get a welfare cheque because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand - I have no problem with helping people get back on
their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone
sit on their butt, drinking beer and smoking dope.
Could you imagine how much money the provinces would save if people
had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance cheque?

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well."

Does he have a point?

Novocastrian

No. He's an idiot.

Shawn_ldn

yeah, but the oilsands are one of the biggest pollutants where he works.
The morality is questionable on both sides.

I don't think that he has a point.

macadian

Fair comment however, the concept is being considered elsewhere...flaws and all


http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2...policy.welfare

dbd33

I've been taking piss tests for fifteen years, it hasn't inhibited my ability to be a drug taking alcoholic adulterer who fiddles his taxes so, no, no point there, just idiocy.

Rich_007

Drugs are bad. Just say no.

R.

macadian

An addmission of idiocy is always to be applauded......though to what degree the drug taking, alchohol or adultery is responsible only you will know...

dazzlerdaz

In that case.....can i have the rest of yours......please ?

MikeUK

he takes a piss test so he's not a liability at work to himself and his colleagues

the guys a moron if he thinks otherwise

I'd fire him on the spot as he has no clue about work place safety

Spoons1961

Missed the point completely ! duh

He openly states that he has no problem with a piss test, implying therefore why he is expected to take one. He does'nt 'think otherwise' as you incorrectly point out !

The point he is making is that he earns a wage, and pays taxes which the government distribute as they see fit (No Problem). What he resents is his hard earned tax being given out to spongers, and wasters who piss it up and use it to buy their next fix. In principle he does have a point although not all those caught up in the lifestyle he criticises have any help or support to get out and that is where resources should be spent. RTFQ

iaink

I think it misses the point that alcohol and drugs dependencies can be addicitons which cannot be broken by the adict themselves. BY withdrawing welfare you are not doing anything to help that person, and more alarmingly potentially harming any family they might have by cutting off financial support.

Also, take welfare money away and the worst affected will find other, more damaging ways, to pay for their drug of choice.

I do think though that some sort of auditing should be done on long term welfare claimants to find out why they have not been able to get on their own feet and to help them become employable and employed members of society.

Its not always the claimants fault is my point I guess, often they are victims of society too, and then it becomes a vicious circle. Its obviously conservative rhetoric to blame the poor for their predicament, but personally I dont buy into that in all cases. Taxes are not a punishment for the rich, they are a safety net for all. Not everyone on welfare is on it through choice, and in fact many of the poor avoid claiming welfare as it ties their hands with regard to working when they can as they risk criminal proceedings. Its not an ideal system, thats for sure.

neill

Yes,

but you do realize your audience here is mostly made up of people who sit on their butt, drink beer and "smoke funny things" as kid rock would put it.

dbd33

Is there something wrong with doing those things? Do you stand up 24 hours a day?

neill

no, nothing at all...in fact im doing one of those things right now.

Would be doing two of those things but the only thing we have around here is vodka. bit early in the day for that.

MikeUK

He takes a urine test to ensure that he is ‘safe’ to work that he is not under the influence of any drugs or substances that could impact his ability to operate safely in the work environment
It has nothing to do with right to work or right to earn

It’s these line’s that show the disconnect……

“What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people
who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine
test to get a welfare cheque because I have to pass one to earn it for them”

Welfare is given on a needs basis and should be kept that way