Special offer
Roy Kelley (Retired)

Spam prevention
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I see this suggestion on FB all the time and think of it as small thinking for a bigger problem.

Doing this will not save the taxpayers any money, just direct food money from the children of these deadbeats and give it to government deadbeats who are administering the program.

Will lead to starving children and more crime, and of course what is says about the morality of those advocating this type of system is even more outrageous.

 

Jan 18, 2016 12:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If I had to pass one to pay for their welfare, they should have to pass one to receive it.  If the money can be used for drugs (which it can), then this should be done.  Yes the costs are high and the system could be flawed, but no more flawed than the families I see driving their brand new (still with paper plates on) BMWs and Mercedes to an out of town grocery store and then having their kids go in and use the EBT card to buy food because they don't want to be seen doing it.  Rampant in the San Fernando Valley.  Southern California has what I believe to be, the lionshare of welfare fraud.  People actually educate others on how to abuse the system openly and brag about it.

 

I think the entire welfare system needs to be overhauled.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do it in such a way to prevent fraud and actually help people in need.

Jan 18, 2016 02:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

That is deep Roy. If drugs were legal then the cartel would be out of business. If you could buy drugs legal for pennies (what they are really worth) many people would not be spending all their money on this crap. 

I can't give you a clear answer but will say that there are people who take advantage of welfare.

Jan 18, 2016 02:13 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes, I have brought that up to my elected officials already

Jan 18, 2016 07:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Drug addicts are very resourceful and cunning. Lets not challenge them here

Jan 18, 2016 03:38 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I don't see it being able to be managed and the extra costs will have to come from somewhere. I don't think it will solve anything. 

Jan 18, 2016 02:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I think it should be part of realtor license requirement too.

Jan 18, 2016 12:37 AM
Ambassador
1,452,769
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I've read that the cost outweighs the benefit: see some results at the bottom of this article:  http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/02/26/3624447/tanf-drug-testing-states/

Jan 18, 2016 12:24 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Yes, and it should only be granted if the applicants accept and attend life and skills training.  Child care provided while in training.  

Jan 18, 2016 12:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Roy. That won't solve the problem. We have to get people off welfare, it will take a creation in jobs and the only way that will happen is lower taxes for those that create them.

Jan 18, 2016 05:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I had a different answer until I read Bob Crane 's answer.  I tend to agree with him.

Jan 18, 2016 11:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Positively and there needs to be a greater effort to defeat the generational cycle of welfare families

Jan 18, 2016 08:42 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Yes and for getting a real estate license!

Jan 18, 2016 06:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Roy,

I know less than nothing about this issue, and I think Susan Emo makes a valid point. A

Jan 18, 2016 06:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do not think so. Many of those people are sick and are heavily on the prescribed drugs. 

Jan 18, 2016 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
196,080
Jill Moog
Coast & Country Homes and Estates, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad, CA Homes for Sale

Perhaps providing child care and job training will help get these families on their feet. Prescription drugs are a huge problem, too.

Jan 18, 2016 04:44 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

My first answer is yes, but after thinking about it, the cost outweigh the benefits. A better idea is to have them work for it. Clean up the highways, or at least do something for it. Job training needs  to be better, so that we can get people off welfare.

Jan 18, 2016 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Only if the ones making the rules are themselves tested.

Jan 18, 2016 04:28 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Oh, Roy, you had to go there, didn't you? I cannot say yes or no to this question because it begs the bigger question about government programs, how they are run, and how people can take advantage of the system. I am an advocate for training people and putting people back to work in America. 

Jan 18, 2016 04:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

They should go back where the people picked up bulk items of food and set some guidlines for adding children after the fact.

Jan 18, 2016 02:50 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Until I read this thread I knew my answer, now I am not so sure. Hmmmmmmmm, I need to sit in a corner, and ponder now! ("time" to ponder)

Michael Thacker - Louisville Realtor - Real Estate

 

 

Jan 18, 2016 02:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

yes, it certainly should.... heroin use is running wild across the country....

Jan 18, 2016 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,196
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I am divided on this. What drugs? And how to avoid gov't overreach bleedover into other areas they need to stay out of?

Jan 18, 2016 01:14 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,033
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am all for it!!!!

Jan 18, 2016 12:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Good luck.

Jan 18, 2016 12:29 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

Thats a tough call. Would you deny a single Mom welfare benefits if the test showed she smoked a little pot? A young healthy person..yeah they should be tested and trained for a job skill if they don't have one.

Jan 18, 2016 12:25 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the intent is to 'save money' regarding programs to help those in need, drug testing could be a tool to disqualify people.

If the intent is to provide those in need with the resources needed to sustain life until they can get on their feet, testing may prove counter to the goal.

What is the intent of the heart?

Upon that intent will one be ultimately judged.

Jan 18, 2016 12:23 AM
Rainmaker
32,051
Amelia Robinette
NoVa House and Home - Frankly Realty - Falls Church, VA
Education, Innovation, Service

why not just enforce the already existing fraud rules? adding new regulations of any kind w/out enforcing what exists just creates more beauracracy. 

 

the commiters of fraud are so well versed in it, they'll get around a drug test just like they get around the other regs.

 

waste of time/money IMO

Jan 19, 2016 02:16 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I think it could be a wise decision.

Jan 18, 2016 11:33 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have no problem with that being a requirement.

Jan 18, 2016 09:50 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Most Definately. 

Jan 18, 2016 09:13 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

      No. 

     Instead, abolish welfare for any working-age, able bodied individual.   Stop giving welfare to illegal immigrants.  Stop paying single mothers for every baby that they have.  Etc.

 

Jan 18, 2016 01:34 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Testing for what? There are SO many prescription drugs around, what would it prove or show?

Jan 18, 2016 12:33 PM
Rainmaker
713,282
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

I absolutely think YES! But not just when appling, there should be monthly test required!

Jan 18, 2016 12:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Yes, absolutely, and ongoing at unusual times.

Jan 18, 2016 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

NO

Jan 19, 2016 10:23 AM