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...
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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.
ReplyDeleteRoy
Edinburg
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteI thing Patrick can write an article about,"Techears gone Wild", mid life crisis, maybe.
ReplyDeleteSaul (Harlingen)
Anons, that teacher looked gorgeous on TV last night, girl, as the song says, "you need a man".
ReplyDeleteSalvotore, la palma
San Benitooo
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.
ReplyDeleteUnemployment 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.
ReplyDeleteEasy... guys, she is just a woman, Mr. Editor, obviously, many of your bloggers are men, see a good looking woman and they go beserk.
ReplyDeleteGive me a break!!!!!!
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.
ReplyDeleteLUISA & 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
ReplyDeleteWhy can a delivery man like me find someone looking for love???
ReplyDeleteFalcon, 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???
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.
ReplyDeleteHa 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!
ReplyDeleteQuestion - is Chapaneco unemployed and getting government benefits? Menso. he acts like a do-nothing. Correction he is a do-nothing!
ReplyDeleteGuys...open your eyes, the woman has problems with the law for child molestation.
ReplyDeleteHer last name gives the impression she is married.
Ease up... bloggers.
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.
ReplyDeleteAgree 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.
ReplyDeleteChapa is on unemployment? Wow! Even bigger loser!!! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeletelots 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!!
ReplyDeleteEl 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.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think, this country, is too generous, maybe that is why people move here. Just saying that's all
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
ReplyDelete