AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Saturday, March 26, 2011

For Unemployed, More Bad News Ahead...They Get $1,100 A Month In Benefits For Not Working...They Get It For 99 Weeks...Now A Drug Test...

By DUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
Editor-In-Chief

HARLINGEN, Texas - Human nature is such that a person will take something for nothing for as long as possible. Workers know this nature well. Unemployed workers know it much better. There is something to fear in not having a job to feed the family and pay the house bills. But, in today's America, too many are simply taking unemployment benefits and watching the world go by.

Now comes Republican State Rep. Ken Legler, of Pasadena, to offer a legislative bill seeking a little morality he wants attached to those benefits - a drug test.

Legler and other Republicans are siding by the idea that they do not want to help the unemployed get stoned. Passing their "drug test" would be required before applicants could receive the government-issued checks. Those failing the test would be denied benefits, according to the proposed bill. It is getting some traction from the business community, some appearing before the committee hashing-out this bill to say they worry about the long-term unemployed workforce coming back addicted to marijuana and harsher drugs.

It is the image of a do-nothing sitting on the couch and watching soap operas and game shows on television while waiting for their unemployment checks that bothers many in the state.

Opponents of the measure, however, see it as a clear violation of privacy rights, noting that such a law would also raise constitutional questions.

And officials with the Texas Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers argue that thousands of their members are being laid-off through no fault of their own. State budget cuts, they say, should not force teachers to undergo embarrassing drug testing when they apply for unemployment benefits.

The proposal is still on the clock and has yet to reach a vote...

- 30 -

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good article, sir. I know things are tough, but two years on unemployment is too much. No other country does it. Lucky stiffs should be grateful they live in this great country.

Roy
Edinburg

El De Los Fresnos said...

Love he teacher story. She picked up a kid at the livestock show? wow!!! She is too pretty to be doing kids. Needs a man for sure.

Anonymous said...

What is going on with all these teachers? Surfing gthe net for boys and chasing them to a livestock show. Pleeese. Get real, people. Settle down and do the right thing.

Anonymous said...

I thing Patrick can write an article about,"Techears gone Wild", mid life crisis, maybe.

Saul (Harlingen)

Sal. said...

Anons, that teacher looked gorgeous on TV last night, girl, as the song says, "you need a man".

Salvotore, la palma
San Benitooo

Anonymous said...

Gotta be more to that teacher story. Like that he rold man left her and she felt insecure. Women turn to kid when they can't make it with a real man. Or maybe she's just stupid. To jail, you poor little girl. See how your actions bring consequences? I bet you do now.

Johnny Joe said...

Unemployment is hell, dude. that little check helps, but once you get off the road it's hard to get back on. i know. i was unemployed for two years. although you're right, many people just go on it to stay on it. Pobres locos. Quieren todo Free.

Luisa said...

Easy... guys, she is just a woman, Mr. Editor, obviously, many of your bloggers are men, see a good looking woman and they go beserk.
Give me a break!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Johnny Joe, I agree, but they get food stamps, free doctors, Su Clinica familiar provides reduce prices for dental, diabetes prevention, surgery for a minor co-pay, than they get a pay check. I say, after 99 weeks, find a job, in Harlingen there are plenty of Rest. and some people need house maids.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

LUISA & OTHERS:...About men and pretty women, well, you'd have to know how it feels to, ah, make love to a woman. (2.) Yes, there is plenty of abuse in the unemployment benefits program. But we don't exactly begrudge the applicants, as much as we do the government's decision to extend it for so long. 99 weeks is almost two years. That's a bit much. Six months would be enough... - Editor

Frito deliver man from Brown town!! said...

Why can a delivery man like me find someone looking for love???
Falcon, you won't have to buy me drinks, I will buy them for you, and you don't have to worry about touching me, I can do that to you. Hey I can even post your $50.000 dollar bond, how about it???

Anonymous said...

Two years on unemployment is way too long, there is plenty of work, flipping burgers, loading docks, mowing grass, washing cars, beggers can't be picky.

Ralph said...

Ha ha ha. nicely put, Alactraz. that part about how it feels to make love to a woman. you said it with class, my friend. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Question - is Chapaneco unemployed and getting government benefits? Menso. he acts like a do-nothing. Correction he is a do-nothing!

Luisa said...

Guys...open your eyes, the woman has problems with the law for child molestation.
Her last name gives the impression she is married.
Ease up... bloggers.

Anonymous said...

Sometime back, he said, he spends 24-7 on the moniker, the idiot doesn't have a life. Of course he lives of the dole.

Anonymous said...

Agree some of these arcaine laws are so old, they should have been revised or outright deleted. Farrar is right on her legislation, we are living in 2011,for Christ sake.

Mr. Brownsville said...

Chapa is on unemployment? Wow! Even bigger loser!!! LOL!!!

Cable Guy said...

How does Chapaneco get to the counter at the unemployment office. On a stool? He's got to be the worst example of a Hispanic in the Valley. Say you're a Naco, Chapa. Don't even think about telling people you're Hispanic! Mugroso.

Anonymous said...

lots of stories on The Trib, maina nd sidebars. One Bible verse and a note about the Trib in Chapaneco's blog. And someon eposted a blog over there saying Chapa is the Number One Pendejo. LOL!!

Anonymous said...

El viejo hoto, esta desabilitado de la mente es un cobarde. Chapis eres una: Gallina culeca que brinka la cerca y deja a la chola commiendo manteca.

Liza said...

Sometimes I think, this country, is too generous, maybe that is why people move here. Just saying that's all

Anonymous said...

In The U.S.A. the Socialist and Communist Governement should give all us Welfare and lots of Food Stamps --- As we don't have any good - paying jobs, The Rio Grande Valley , Texas is a Indian Reservation without excellent casinos to keep us Quiet and Timid.