Austerity seems to be a great economic tactic designed to maintain a climate of too many workers for too few jobs. We all know what that gets us, low and stagnant wages, long hours, job insecurity, etc. But it works out just fine for those few in postion to profit off a desperate workforce, those same individuals getting the big tax cuts, the ones that who don't need them, which is why we have austerity in the first place...... republican reaganomics!

Why not try a green, global, public works program,have a big summit meeting and get on with it, the hell with what guys like Romney and the Kochs want.

Well if these proggies could think for themselves, you would see that it does save money.

I noticed that the proggies choose to reference FLORIDA statics on the GET-TOUGH LAW. The proggies places facts that bolster their stance to free money that comes from the working people's taxes. Yet, I did not see the words, as to the people that failed to take said drug test as to knowing that they would not be reimbursed the cost of the test, only that two percent that TOOK the test failed. Kinda makes sense to include all of the figures as to give a clearer picture.

The purpose of the law is NOT to make or necessarily save money. It is to get the people that abuse the system off of it and that the money in the system goes to what it was designed for, PROVIDE HELP WITH FOOD and NEEDS of the family / children. When you are taking money to buy drugs instead of the necessities of life, you are stealing from the family / children that depend on help of the tax payers.

These drug test are not held in public view. You take a bottle to a rest room. The last three jobs I had required for me to have a drug test. I am sure many of your readers have had to do the same to fulfill the job requirements to be hired. I guess that the Proggies feel that all workers subjected to drug testing were embarrassed and humiliated. If this solution of not subjecting people to your so called embarrassing or humiliating times, I would suggest that they NOT be using drugs and applying for assitstance.

From a article on Florida drug testing, 2 percent failed the test and another 2 percent are not completing the application process. So, from said article, that means a 4% failure / no completing application rate combination. That seems like a pretty good savings. When a applicant takes the test, they pay for said test. If they fail, the cost is all on them. If they pass, the state reimburses them the cost. Remember, EVERY person in the household is NOT tested, only the applicant.

Cost of the tests averages about $30.00. Assuming that 1,000 to 1,500 applicants take the test every month, the state will owe about $28,800-$43,200 monthly in reimbursements to those who test drug-free.

Welfare checks average $241-to-$303 a month. So at a 4% failure and Florida checks 1000 > 1500 people. Simple enough math. Lets take the smallest amount of money ($241.00) and the largest amount of people (1500) that were tested. We have to do the 4% of failure rate of 1500 people equaling 60 people that failed or not completed the application. Now we multiply the $241.00 x 60 equaling $14460.00.

1440 people passed said test and would be reimbursed their cost. At $30.00 times 1440 equals $43200.00. Granted no savings there, but what is interesting is that once you failed the test, from one test is that drug addicts are barred from receiving benefits for a year. So to be fair in this example, I would have to figure at two percent as the ones not finishing application can come back next month to apply.

2% now figures are 30 people are cut from getting $241.00(low figure)Per month for 12 months. 30 x $241.00 = $7230. Now $7230.00 times twelve (months) equaling $86760.00. Now what you have to determine is there a savings? I think that the saving is clear. Testing cost 43200.00 and saving of two percent failing said test and not being paid for a whole year comes to $43560.00 savings. Please notice it is not much, but we used the small amount of money for the check they WOULD receive. But then again you have to consider the amount of applicants not completing the application. This is just a example and the reason for not making it 4% is the fact of reapplying on the 2 percent that can reapply as they had not tested or completed the application.

I truly hope the proggies explain why there was in his words and the others that are against drug testing, NO SAVINGS

The way I see things we are all screwed!! To much spending has to come to a end but true Austerity

will also bring things down and hard Being a conserative at heart Austerity sounds great on paper...Knowing lots and lots of hard core Republicans I ask one question and yet to get a peep from a single one.....What are YOU willing to give up if the federal budget is cut by 40%? I wish Thom would ask this question to every guest.....I'm only told what others can give up....Please for the country what are you willing to give-Up??? We have become a Nation of takers! All the way to the lifetime welfare folks to the super rich who thinks paying no taxes is a good thing...God Please Help Us

They had better strike down Arizona's anti-immigration law. I will not vacation there until they do.

So the Republican sense of humor is the same as Don Rickles'?

Two More:

Anti-Flag, Welcome to 1984

The Doors, 5 to 1

Communism doesn't work, that's clear. Libertarianism doesn't work as well. These are both extreme ideas that never will work out in reality. Cuba has never been a free country, it has always been a dictatorship and I'd never advocate something like that. Liberal Democrats have much better ideas.

Keynesianism is the best way to organize social and economical policy. Republicans are trying to tag this "marxist", but this is nonsense. I could tag the GOP lesbian as well. Even Marx wasn't a marxist, those marxists obviously already were idiots during the 19th century. Yes, I think so: Marxists and libertarians are idiots. And if you ask me, I give you proof of their relationship, because historically they were related!

I find it funny that the German Keynesianism went on with the conservative Angela Merkel for many years -- and it booms! And this Keynesian system was created under Adenauer, who was even more conservative. It just happened so, that the Germans felt like being somewhat more humane after WW2. And it worked out -- and still works. There you have a model that works in reality!!!

Forget Republican austerity. It only strangles us.

I had to read your post twice to get that you were actually warning us of the latest fox news alarmist misrepresentation. This network is truly evil in it's intent to divide our country. However, your post did get me to check out HR 347 which was approved by the House, 399-3 updating an existing law originally enacted in 1971 that restricts access around the president, Vice-president or any others under the protection of the secret service. Well, duh!! Thanks Arky12, forewarned is forearmed with the real facts.

This whole Democrat/Republican thing gives me a headache don't ya know.

Jumping up off the face of the earth isn’t enough to establish you as a resident of the planet of Mars, anymore than nationalizing the Energy Industry or providing Universal HealthCare is going to make us a Socialist Country.

Yea, technically, leaving the face of the earth is required to become a resident of Mars, but is it rational to think that is going to be the consequence of your jumping up off the face of the Earth?! The act of jumping up and down temporarily puts you in the right direction to Mars but given where you are at jumping up is a inconsequential drop in the bucket to all you would have to do given the magnitude between where you are currently at and where others might accuse you of being from - Mars.

So go ahead and jump-up. Nationalize the Energy industry and offer universal health care like most every other developed nation. It is not going to make America a Socialist country anymore than you jumping up is going to establish you as a resident of the planet Mars. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?! Concentration of wealth skooches one or two percentage points in the direction of a more balanced distribution?! Hoy Comrade! The death and destruction to our sovereignty it will bring!! Marriages will fall apart all over the country!

I don’t think so. You'd have to b.s. the People about the magnitude of proposed jump and/or the distances involved.

CISPA is coming for a vote this week http://www.osnews.com/comments/25866

Heres to hoping Louise gets better, I never pray for anyone as I'm an atheist and I remember reading a study where people that are prayed for do worse as the psychosomatic response is that "if they're praying for me I must be really bad off"

Break up the big banks...they need a good spanking !!!

I had this sent to me by a friend asking to explain if this was true. I had no idea this misleading, distortion of this new law was making it's way around the internet via e-mails. We're in for a rought ride this year. Fox News is at it again. If this administration isn't defeated, I believe it'll be the end of this nation as we know it.Bill: HR 347 (look it up)Does anyone care our liberties are being taken away? Watch this clip from Fox News . Please send this to everyone in your address book. Obama signed this into law last ThursdayNew law makes it illegal to protest in Obama's presence This means that, wherever Obama is at, his secret service can have you arrested, fined, and imprisoned for more than a YEAR if you ask him something he doesn't like...or say something he doesn't like...or if you are carrying a sign he doesn't like. Sound like he's more like Hitler than Lincoln to you?WATCH AND BE AMAZED AT HIS LATEST MOVE TO STAGE A TAKE OVER OF AMERICA...Guess you've probably heard about this, but sending it on anyway. It's probably the scariest thing this guy has done yet.Are you aware of this new law, signed by Obama in early March 2012?May the Lord have mercy on us!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7SGWH3kirzg&vq=medium