LET US PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR WITH DIGNITY

"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!

Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason...

But I think that the most likely reason of all

May have been that his heart was two sizes too small."

When I first read that one of our state lawmakers is thinking the poor
should be drug tested if they receive "welfare," the story of "How the
Grinch Stole Christmas" came to mind; but not even Dr. Seuss could
imagine that. Yet, it's a dilemma policymakers face.

Rep. Carl Wimmer is considering doing that and said, "If they are
going on the public dole, they should be obeying all laws, including
not taking illegal drugs," (Deseret News, 11/20/2009). It is not meant
to be mean-spirited, he told me. It was not right for people on
welfare to use tax dollars to buy drugs. He said he didn't have all
the details and suggested talking to State Sen. Dennis Stowell, who
had been thinking about it for sometime.

Stowell wondered if that idea was still being discussed. When he
brought it up months ago, it was to see how people on welfare could
get help with their drug problem and find a job. He thought with
limited state funds, it could not be done at this time. I thought it's
hard enough for anyone to find a job these days.

Wimmer's reason for drug testing people on welfare shows the dilemma
lawmakers face in making public policy -- their personal beliefs vs.
the public's interest. We generally believe we should help those in
need, rather than those who should be helping themselves and who abuse
the kindness of others. The question is: Who decides who is worthy of
help and who is not?

Public policy should be made on what is in the public's interest,
rather than a legislator's personal or political interest. What is the
purpose of drug testing those on welfare, and what happens if they
fail a test? What's the problem to be solved? How does drug testing
those on welfare promote the public good and is it in keeping with our
values of compassion, caring for the least among us, and the dignity
of every individual? Who is on the "public dole"? Does that include
legislators, who are paid with public money? Or are they just the
poor, who historically include single-parent women, children, the
elderly and the disabled; in Utah that would amount to approximately
358,000 including the 23,000 on food stamps and the other "welfare"
programs. What are the costs and what are the benefits? What are the
unintended consequences, the cost of testing, policing, penalties,
and/or treatment?

Do we really believe the poor might be wasting tax dollars on illegal
drugs? Should we be spending money on drug treatment, or make sure
those on the "dole" are not abusing the system? Tough choices. Maybe
that's why some do not run for public office. It's much easier being
critics with "the right answers."

If the purpose of welfare is to help those in need, why put them
through the bureaucratic maze when they have no car, gas, child care
or are unable to get out of bed? Maybe the price of asking for help is
to give up one's dignity -- the last thing the poor may have, or
anyone of us for that matter. Let us give help with dignity.

I think Dr. Seuss might end this matter the way he ended the story of
"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," -- it's not about taking away things
but rather what's in the hearts and spirits of people.

A Utah native, John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights
organizations; been on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, served on more
than 45 state, local and volunteer boards; and filled White House
appointments, including deputy assistant secretary of labor and as a
member of the commission on Hispanic education.