Drug Testing Welfare Recipients

Florida, Kentucky, and Missouri are the first, of hopefully many states, to require drug-testing of welfare recipients. It seems odd to me that we are just now addressing this issue. People who work for their income have been drug-tested for years--prior to employment. Yet, people who are receiving government aid are free to abuse drugs and alcohol on the tax-payer's dime.

I realize the economy is tough right now and many people may look to vices as a means of coping with stress, depression, etc. However, it isn't the responsible solution to the problem. Find something to bring in an income or seek counseling to deal with the underlying issues driving you to drink, smoke, and/or abuse drugs.

If a person has the money to buy even cigarettes, let alone marijuana or alcohol on a regular basis, surely they can afford a loaf of bread and gallon of milk or basic necessities to support their family through hardship.

The results of the following study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH): Alcohol and Drug Use, Abuse,and Dependence among Welfare Recipients show that "[t]he percentages of welfare recipients using, abusing, or dependent on alcohol or drugs were relatively small and consistent with the general US population and those not receiving welfare benefits." Still, disqualification of even the small percentage of the sample population that is using would save the country, specifically tax payers, money over time. Additionally, it is the principle that these people are receiving free aid because they have children, to take care of their children, not to remain unemployed, sponging off of the government as long as they can, while abusing substances.

Spending money to drug test the welfare recipient is a one-time cost. Maybe they are drug-tested once and lose benefits for one year or something. We are saving one year of paying them benefits for the cost of a single drug test.

Any thoughts?

First ArtFire Ad!

Well, we purchased our first Ad on ArtFire! It really is a great value. We paid $15.00 for two ads that will run from 11/21 at midnight until 12/19 at midnight (roughly 4 weeks).

The greatest obstacle for us right now has been driving traffic to our sites. You'd think having great products up, that you handmade would be enough. It's really not. There are so many artisans out there competing for the attention of Web surfers. The ability to click through millions of great deals and products makes it difficult to capture a potential customer's attention. Then you have ads flashing all over the place; it's just hard. So, hopefully this helps!

Here is the image we have created to use for our ad:

So, let us know what you think. Also, we would love to hear about any other promotional opportunities, such as sites you have used or services that have helped drive more traffic to your site. We are open to anything! Thanks for reading...

Now Available on ArtFire!

Seasonal Heart - ArtFire Seller Shop

Come check us out!

Google+

Have you tried Google+ ? It is actually pretty neat. It's like Twitter and Facebook had a baby ;-)

Add us to your circle if you make one!  https://plus.google.com/i/wGQAUA6KhC8:Et56LLj26vs

More Christmas Cupcake Toppers! I love these things!

Come check out our other holiday listings at Seasonal Heart www.etsy.com/shop/seasonalheart where we have different pack options of this and other wonderful seasonal cards.

This is an original Seasonal Heart design.

Follow us on Twitter, Blogspot, and Tumblr, and “LIKE” us on Facebook to be one of the first to hear about upcoming holiday promotions and coupon codes:

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http://seasonalheart.tumblr.com/
http://www.seasonalheart.blogspot.com/

Christmas Cupcake Toppers! Pack of 24

Only about $0.50 per topper!

This listing is for a pack of 24 toppers (enough to make an entire batch of cute holiday cupcakes). Each Christmas cupcake topper is 2 1/2” x 2” made from 110 lb. premium index card stock.

It is a very cute gingerbread man, with a pair of reindeer antlers, a candy cane, and red and white matching scarf. These are a VERY cute addition to your cupcakes! They are great for bake sales, your children’s classmates, Christmas parties at home or the office, and much more.

Please also check out our other holiday listings at Seasonal Heart www.etsy.com/shop/seasonalheart where we have different pack options of this and other wonderful seasonal cards.

This is an original Seasonal Heart design.

Follow us on Twitter, Blogspot, and Tumblr, and “LIKE” us on Facebook to be one of the first to hear about upcoming holiday promotions and coupon codes:

http://twitter.com/#!/SeasonalHeart

http://www.facebook.com/SeasonalHeart

http://seasonalheart.tumblr.com/

http://www.seasonalheart.blogspot.com/

NEW LISTING!! "Turkey Surprise" Window Cut-Out Handmade Thanksgiving Holiday Greeting Cards!

In Love... with Mountain Dew!

As I type this post, from the cozy comfort of my bedroom, I am continually distracted. Three empty aluminum cans line my nightstand, just within my peripheral vision, like soldiers prepared for battle. Not so long ago, these three cans, filled with twelve fluid ounces of tropical ecstasy, served a purpose. Yet, out of personal greed, and over the course of just one or two hours, I have raided each of them. One by one, I invaded the aluminum guard as a means to quenching my desire, whilst leaving them hollow, without remorse. Now, only the recycling bin can provide them a minute glimmer of hope. Perhaps out of the three of them, one will have an opportunity at identical rebirth, bringing the same joy to another, as these have to me; highly unlikely, but still it is a possibility.


(Image Source: http://mdewtree.com/)


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We will definitely Follow/Favorite/Like you all back as well!

Jeremy and Lisa, Seasonal Heart