Drug testing poor people is the 'compassionate thing to do'

In their ongoing effort to balance state budgets on the backs of the poor, Republican legislators in dozens of states are grabbing on to the brilliant idea of forcing people who need government assistance to first prove they're not drug addicts, even though, as the Center for Law and Social Policy reported earlier this year:

Proposals for mandatory drug testing of TANF recipients are based on stereotypes and not evidence. Proponents often claim that drug testing will save money; however, this is based on a false assumption that many applicants will be denied benefits.

A bill passed in Florida has already been proven to be costly, ineffective and, oh yeah, unconstitutional. But that hasn't stopped other states from toying with the idea, and now Ohio State Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Of course) has come up with a nifty new rationalization:

“Implementing this bill is the compassionate thing to do. It will end the cycle of poverty by referring drug users to treatment and providing safety for children,” he told a Senate committee considering Senate Bill 69.

As written, the applicant would pay for the test, which Schaffer said can cost $15 to $35.

Yeah. That's right. Everyone knows the best way to break the cycle of poverty isn't with silly incidentals like food, shelter, jobs ... Nope. The best way is to force struggling Americans to shell out $35 to prove they're not drug addicts. Drug testing is the fastest and most direct route to economic stability, right? And it's so much more helpful than, you know, real help.

And you thought "compassionate conservatism" was a thing of the past.