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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To respond to fb status about benefits & urine tests?

133 replies

Mentile · 24/09/2011 18:04

Today's copy and paste status amongst my acquaintances today implies that all people on benefits should have to take a urine test to show they are alcohol and drug free in order to claim. I'm truly fed up of benefit bashing comments like this from my 'friends' who, when challenged, usually say 'oh we didn't mean you, obviously'. Actually it's people just like me they are referring to. WIBU to challenge a friend on this and ask how they would feel about urine tests to claim CB, for example?

OP posts:
Minus273 · 24/09/2011 18:06

YANBU to be tempted but are they worth the time it would take to comment.

StewieGriffinsMom · 24/09/2011 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pippilongsmurfing · 24/09/2011 18:11

They sound like idiots, probably a waste of your energy to even try to explain anything to them.

TryLikingClarity · 24/09/2011 18:14

Wow, they sound like lovely friends.

Hmm

Delete the whole FB thing, starting with those people.

HoneyPablo · 24/09/2011 18:17

Just delete the bastards.
I routinely delete people because their inane status updates annoy me. Which is why I now have under 60 friends when I had nearly 200 at one point.

RedBlanket · 24/09/2011 18:23

Mmm, well I used to sign on, on a Friday afternoon and there were often many people who turned up, 'over refreshed', including me one week when it was my birthday and my Dad had taken me out for lunch. Blush

I get so annoyed about people who slag off 'benefit scroungers' but always add, 'not you though, you've paid your taxes for it'. Like I'm the only one!

LilQueenie · 24/09/2011 18:34

Im assuming your so called friends work then op. Do they have children? comment and ask if they would be willing to do a urine test to claim Child beenfit and tax credits. Or even working tax credits.

LittleWhiteWolf · 24/09/2011 18:38

What LilQueenie said.

usualsuspect · 24/09/2011 18:39

Just delete and block them

TheHumanCatapult · 24/09/2011 18:41

I delete but after mentioning that morphine or codeine would turn up in mine what they going to to about it

picnicbasketcase · 24/09/2011 18:43

Reply with 'I hope they never bring that in, I would hate my crack habit to become public knowledge.'

TotemPole · 24/09/2011 18:44

Would poppy seeds on things like bagels show a positive, or it that an urban myth?

You ate bagels, your benefits are now stopped.

sleepevader · 24/09/2011 18:45

Only when lobotomies become compulsory for ignorant people like you.

sleepevader · 24/09/2011 18:45

Ps not you op - them!

TarheelMama · 24/09/2011 18:48

It depends on what is expected of working people. In the US (where I'm from and worked until I moved to the UK), it was customary to have to take a drug test before a job offer was finalised. And then most companies have a random drug screening program. So under those circumstances, I don't see it as unreasonable to expect benefit claimants to do the same.

However, if companies in the UK don't make it a condition of employment, then I don't see that it should be a condition of claiming benefits.

troisgarcons · 24/09/2011 18:49

Actually - if you are alcohol and drug dependent you get benefits - so Im not sure the testing thing would work!

pineapple70 · 24/09/2011 18:53

I hate Facebook. I ended up blocking news from so many people as it annoyed me. I left it earlier in the week and have not missed it. Just ignore and block.

troisgarcons · 24/09/2011 18:57

Fb is only as purile as your friends list allows.

If like me, you need to keep in touch with extended family in different time zones its brilliant.

I disable the search function so I cant be contacted by some one who knew me 40 years ago in reception class. I dont put photos up. I dont make comments.

not rocket science is it?

GingerWrath · 24/09/2011 18:58

That's a bit out of context OP. It was a soldier's POV, excuse the C&P:

Drugs Test (This was written by British Soldier- What he says makes a lot of sense!) I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to earn that pay , I train for war and eventually deploy. I am required to pass a random urine test? for drugs, with which I have no problem. ... What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a benefits cheque because I have to pass one to EARN IT from them? Please understand that I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sit on their arse drinking beer and smoking dope. Could you imagine how much money the government would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a benefit cheque? Please pass this along if you agree or simply delete it if you don't. Hope you will pass it along though, because something has to change in the UK!!

Mentile · 24/09/2011 19:05

Thanks for your responses. I will probably point out it's people like me they are referring to and then delete them. You're right, I don't need idiots on my fb. This is the same person who writes statuses about 'retards' despite knowing my DD has severe learning difficulties Angry I should have deleted them some time ago.
Ginger, I don't think it's out of context. Didn't want to c&p such claptrap but it does imply what I said it does, don't you think?

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 24/09/2011 19:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlowHole · 24/09/2011 19:09

If people on benefits were given guns, like soldiers, then I would fully support them being tested to make sure they weren't off their tits. Personally I would rather people were paid to sit at home than paid to go out killing people in other countries. Who's causing the most harm?

GingerWrath · 24/09/2011 19:13

It was out of context because it was from a soldier's POV, as in he HAS to have random urine tests to do the job he does, to earn his wage which then goes on to be taxed and is used for benefits. I am not saying the soldier in question is right, but it is his valid opinion. Why should he work bloody hard to earn his wage, with random urine tests, whilst someone else (he possibly went to school with) sits on his arse all day every day getting stoned, while said squaddie's taxes are funding his lifestyle?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 24/09/2011 19:14

Urine tests? Taking the piss, surely?..... ba-doom TISH!!! Grin

BlowHole · 24/09/2011 19:18

If he's that bothered, he can always pack his job in and go on benefits. He doesn't have to be a soldier if he doesn't want to be. If they all packed it in, there would have been a lot less civilians killed in Afghanistan etc.