Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

[JBH3]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

I have always thought that the first requirement for Financial Assistance of any form should be a High School diploma or GED.

...and a drug test.

In one of those conservative right wing chain emails that a lady in my office sends around there was something in there about how we, as tax paying citizens get drug tested to work for a company, yet those who apply for govt. aid in any capacity don't even get drug tested?

I think if that was a requirement we could weed a potential huge chunk of those applying for welfare.

[JBH3]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

I joined the military right out of highschool and did Infantry for 3 years and then switched over to Aviation and did another 3 years. Graduated honor grad from the aviation school and deployed to Korea and Iraq from there.

Upon leaving service, I decided it was in my best interest to attend college.

Every job I applied for....entry level jobs for Gods sakes..../denied. I got fed up after 6 months of looking for a job and had to settle for flipping burgers at a freaking Krystal.

Went from a staff sgt in the army to a line cook at Krystal. It was embarissing.

Fast forward 4 years and I got my degree in Bus Mngt , graduated with honors, part of 3 different academic frats etc...

Go out looking for a job armed with 6 years of military experience and now a BA degree...../nothing.

In the 4 years since I have graduated, I have yet to find any position that I could NOT have gotten without a degree. Everywhere I go wants me to start at the very bottom.

If I had it to do all over again, I would NEVER EVER spend money for college. Its the worst invesment I have ever made.

Jobs are all about networking, not a degree.

I now have a good paying job, but its bartending and serving. Its certainly not a career.

I wasnt looking for high paying positions, but I sure wasnt expecting to have a 50k education and go back to only being qualified for the same jobs I was before I attended college.

Your mileage my vary, but in the experience that I have faced , its pretty darn common.

I'm military too....Did 5 years in the Marine Corps. Got out a Sgt, and obtained 2 MOS's while in: Supply Admin and Fiscal/Budget.

I took a temp. job with the Capital One corporate office in McLean, VA upon EAS'ing. I applied to job after job after job on the Dept. Of Navy HR-Chart website and USAjobs.com during my last year of enlistment. So I pretty much greased the skids upon getting out to get a head start on my job search.

The temp. position was just to sustain me while I applied/waited for interviews etc. Finally, after only 6 months of being out I landed a job as a DOD-civilian and still hold a DOD-CIV job today.

I suggest perhaps you apply to DOD jobs within your skill set or BA degree. You'd likely be able to at least land a GS-7/Step-1 position starting out which is $41,210 base salary based on DC/MD/VA locality tables and not counting benefits (26% of salary).

That...or go back into the Army as an officer.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

Would you rather them contract HIV? You'll pay for their Medicaid bills.

I would rather have people not become drug addicts in the first place. Also some of the drug users that use the safe injection site are already HIV positive.

I already pay for their medical bills considering these people use up community/goverment resources while not paying a single penny in taxes.

I'm all for supporting people that truly want help but I don't want my tax dollars going to people who have no intention of kicking their habit and just want my tax dollars for their next fix.

[aholbert32]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

...and a drug test.

In one of those conservative right wing chain emails that a lady in my office sends around there was something in there about how we, as tax paying citizens get drug tested to work for a company, yet those who apply for govt. aid in any capacity don't even get drug tested?

I think if that was a requirement we could weed a potential huge chunk of those applying for welfare.

People fail to think what would happen if a good chunk of those people stopped getting assistance. For alot of welfare recipients, that check is whats keeping them from a real life of crime. So a mother of 4 should lose her food stamps because she tested positive for weed (a misdemeanor)? In this economy? What choice are you giving her?

[mgoblue]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

People fail to think what would happen if a good chunk of those people stopped getting assistance. For alot of welfare recipients, that check is whats keeping them from a real life of crime. So a mother of 4 should lose her food stamps because she tested positive for weed (a misdemeanor)? In this economy? What choice are you giving her?

Good point...

While i was at the grocery store last Friday, the guy ahead of me tried buying a Monster energy drink with the food stamp debit card. The cashier told him that the card wouldn't pay for those, but would pay for Red Bulls.

IMO, if you're in bad enough shape to need food stamps you really don't need to be buying energy drinks.

[aholbert32]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

Good point...

While i was at the grocery store last Friday, the guy ahead of me tried buying a Monster energy drink with the food stamp debit card. The cashier told him that the card wouldn't pay for those, but would pay for Red Bulls.

IMO, if you're in bad enough shape to need food stamps you really don't need to be buying energy drinks.

One mistake we make when looking at welfare and welfare fraud is that we assume that the majority of people on assistance are cheating the system. Thats far from the truth. Most are people who just need assistance. They arent living solely on food stamps and welfare checks. They cant anymore. The changes to the welfare system changed that in the 90's.

If people want to cheat the system they will. Drug test them...they will get someone else to take the test or have someone else claim their children. There are always ways to cheat.

[EWRMETS]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

Ahh the joys of politics. Down goes the thread.

Where's the politics? It's hard to accept that taxpayer money goes to crappy people unless you consider the alternative.

[Cebby]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

What choice are you giving her?

The choice to not do drugs on the taxpayer's money.

[mgoblue]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

One mistake we make when looking at welfare and welfare fraud is that we assume that the majority of people on assistance are cheating the system. Thats far from the truth. Most are people who just need assistance. They arent living solely on food stamps and welfare checks. They cant anymore. The changes to the welfare system changed that in the 90's.

If people want to cheat the system they will. Drug test them...they will get someone else to take the test or have someone else claim their children. There are always ways to cheat.

Yeah, totally...and I don't really care that much about it, just found it kinda comical with the energy drink, I dunno.

There's no way any of these systems can be foolproof, they don't have the money or resources, so some people will always abuse the system.

[aholbert32]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

The choice to not do drugs on the taxpayer's money.

Thats easy to say but not realistic. Especially when most people on welfare live in areas where drug use is prevalent.

[Cebby]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

Thats easy to say but not realistic. Especially when most people on welfare live in areas where drug use is prevalent.

You could always "relocate" them to a new location where employment oportunities are numerous and drug levels are low.

[EWRMETS]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

You could always "relocate" them to a new location where employment oportunities are numerous and drug levels are low.

You want to use taxpayer money to relocate them?

[Cebby]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

You want to use taxpayer money to relocate them?

1,000 dollars to relocate them once is better than 1,000 every month.

[aholbert32]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

1,000 dollars to relocate them once is better than 1,000 every month.

Relocate them? So you are suggesting relocating them to areas with less drug activity? Like suburbs? A large majority of lower class urban residents are on some sort of welfare assistance and your suggestion is to just move them to a "better" area? Also where are these areas with "numerous" employment opportunities for people with a high school diploma or less?

[Cebby]

Re: Drop Outs are Killing the Economy

Also where are these areas with "numerous" employment opportunities for people with a high school diploma or less?

I have to assume that Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and the Dakotas would love to have someone build more roads. Same with Alaska.

Hell, maybe we could even get foreign countries in the act, like Canada, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, the possibilities are endless!