BuckeyeBlog

Rep. Shannon Jones is introducing legislation that would rectify the situation that currently exists in Ohio that allows people with significant assets to collect food stamps. It’s clearly abuse when people who have $80,000 in the bank can collect public benefits. But this points to a larger issue with welfare programs such as food stamps and Medicaid — how do you determine who is eligible for them?

Most programs mainly focus on income and potential recipients’ assets aren’t generally considered. This is done because some people may have an expensive car or valuable home but not the cash to get by day-to-day. At what point does the government tell people they must use those assets to support themselves? If you are asking the taxpayers to fund your lifestyle, when do they get to tell you when you should start selling some of your assets to support yourself? I think most will agree that if you have cash in the bank, you should spend that on food or medical care before asking the taxpayers to pay for it. But what about other assets? It’s a difficult question for policymakers and it’s inevitable it will be asked once you start establishing welfare programs.

Liberals who support an expanded welfare state need to answer where they would draw the line. Should the wealthy receive welfare?