Cynthia Davis: Tax money going to drug dealers

In her latest column, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, explains her renewed effort to pass a bill that would prevent hopped up heathens from receiving welfare money:

Last year our Children and Families Committee passed a bill that stopped state cash-subsidies to welfare recipients who tested positive for illegal-drug use. Unfortunately, the Senate was not able to pass it, so this year I again am a co-sponsor of the bill. Legislators need to look at how taxpayers’ hard earned money is spent in a way that gets funneled back to drug dealers.

During a 2009 committee hearing, Dr. Kevin Blanton, pediatrician from the Ferguson Medical Group, gave estimates of between 25 and 33% of all babies birthed at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston tested positive for illegal drugs. That number does not even include alcohol because alcohol dissipates from the body within a short amount of time. We must all pause and ask if the state could be acting as an enabler to this activity. The national government prevents states from removing welfare recipients’ food stamps and Medicaid resources, but does allow us to remove their cash payments.

The cash payments are supposed to go toward paying for their rent and utilities, yet it is obvious that they are spending it on other things. Doubtless the drug dealers are getting their monetary satisfaction for their efforts.

For any of you who have family members who are in recovery from drugs and / or alcohol, you understand the term “co-dependent”. That is what the government is when it continues to send money to those who spend it on illegal drugs. Yet, this drug usage may be part of what is preventing these people from getting jobs and thereby being able to support themselves and their families.

The House Republican Caucus is making this House Bill 1377 a top priority this year.