Drug testing welfare applicants

When people post those catchy graphics around face book that call for the drug testing of people who receive welfare it is often paired with a comment about how they, the poster, worked to earn that money for the person on welfare and so has a right to require that the jobless bum pee in a cup. No doubt these folks think that they are being clever, but after seeing this particular Internet meme at least forty times, I can assure them that they are not as clever as they think they are.
The first thing that needs to be done in relation to this issue is this: it is time to dispel some myths about how welfare works.
1. people on welfare don't work.
This was always a myth, though no doubt some people on welfare choose not to work, the vast majority of them do. In 1996 then president Bill Clinton signed into law portions of what Newt Gingrich called the "contract for America." This document  offered many suggestions on how government could work more efficiently and save money. President Clinton turned the welfare reforms written in this document into law.
This is how it works:
Any adult seeking welfare has to be working full time. If they are not working, they must spend 40 hrs a week looking for work, or in job training. There are a few, very specific, exceptions to this rule.
1. If the person seeking assistance has a disability that prevents them from working, they do not need to work.
2. If the person seeking assistance has a disability, or other type of condition that keeps them from working full time, they can work part time.
3. If the person seeking assistance is a single parent, they can work part time.
4. If that single parent has a child that is too young for day care, they do not have to work until the child/ren are old enough for day care.

One thing to remember is that if someone is earning only minimum wage they do not earn enough to provide for their families without some kind of assistance.

2. People on welfare are more likely to do drugs.
When Florida passed their drug testing of welfare applicants law, many in that state believed this to be the case. What they found was the opposite. After testing thousands of people, the state found that less than 4% of those tested tested positive. The national average for drug use is 9%
3. Drug testing will save the state money.
This is also untrue. Again using Florida as an example: the state spent thousands of dollars on drug tests that came back negative, and of course ended up paying for the applicants welfare needs.

I am not blind to the fact that many readers want to remain ignorant about the nature of welfare and those who apply for it. It is my humble hope however, that if I talk about this enough that something will get through. To that end I want to point out some demographic facts, and then move on to questions of morality.

The majority of welfare recipients are children.
The majority of veterans are on some form of welfare program.
Welfare programs allow disabled and elderly people to live interdependent lives.

If you consider yourself religious, or family oriented, your opposition to these programs is confusing.

No doubt some of you are thinking, "I just want to make sure I know where my tax dollars are being spent."
Fair enough, have you posted any Internet memes about seeking drug tests for members of Congress lately?