Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   Maine reminds that some people don't want to work Date:   2/10/2016 10:11:10 AM

Interesting outcome in Maine when they included a requirement for able bodied people between 18 and 49 and without children to work in order to receive food stamps.  If they refused they were removed from eligibility for food stamps.  And the requirements are not at all onerous.  They either have to work or participate in state-provided training programs or community service.  In essence, get off your lazy butts and do something.  Amazingly, 80% of them said no thanks.  They were more willing to give up their EBT card than they were willing to work or train or provide community service.

If you look at the numbers on food stamps it has essentially been unchanged from its peak during the recession despite the so-called Obama recovery.  I suspect that as we saw with welfare reform, if there was a similar requirement across the nation the numbers on food stamps would drop significantly.  In Maine alone they spend $84B a year for food stamps on able bodied people without children.  Imagine what the number is nationwide.  

Now let's suppose Maine is an outlier and nationally a much lower percentage stick with their EBT cards and either get a job, train or provide community service.  That would be fine with me as my assumption is they really do need the assistance and are willing to work for it.  And maybe some will improve theior circumstances and eventually no longer need support.  All in all a good thing and an economically conservative approach that I would gladly support.  My cynical side is that far too many would rather give up their EBT card rather than work and I am OK with that as well as that is their right.