A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Sen. Fred Thomas (R-Stevensville) seems to think so. His bill, SB-206, would tighten the eligibility rules for food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SNAP) to make it harder for childless, able-bodied adults to qualify for the federally funded program.
And at least initially, he wanted to force food stamp recipients to buy only foods the government decrees as healthy:
Section 1. Waiver for limitations on purchases made with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.
(1) (a) The department shall seek a waiver from the United States department of agriculture within 3 months of [the effective date of this act] in order to establish limits on food and beverage items purchased by recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits. The waiver must, at a minimum, prohibit the purchase of the food and beverage items that are listed as prohibited items on the approved food list published by the department on October 1, 2014, for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. [WIC list.]
(b) If the waiver request is approved, the department shall apply for continuation of the waiver in a timely manner.
(c) If the waiver request is denied, the department shall submit the request annually until it is approved.
(2) The department may request other limitations on food or beverage items that are low in nutrients and that may contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
That draconian provision was not well received, reports Mike Dennison, leading Thomas to promise amendments deleting the provision:
In its original form, the bill limits the types of food that could be purchased with Food Stamps and requires program recipients to get a photo ID. Thomas said he would offer amendments to strike both of those provisions.
SB-206 rests on the eternal conservative Truths that (a) public assistance lessens the will to find work, and (b) jobs are available for all unemployed. Therefore, goes the argument, an unemployed able-bodied adult who’s dining on high-sugar soda pop and potato chips, paid for with food stamps, while watching television, is a bum who needs to be goaded and prodded into finding work. Thomas thinks SB-206 provides the goad and prod.
These Truths are convenient fictions for justifying flogging the poor for being poor. SB-206 is mean-spirited and vindictive. Should it somehow pass the legislature, Gov. Bullock will — and should — veto it.