Some years ago while having a house constructed, the bricklayer who was to build the fireplace taught me a valuable lesson. In the midst of winter with the general contractor ready for the bricklayer to begin, the bricklayer arrived right on time to do his work. The fireplace was built just as we envisioned from floor to ceiling so that other contractors could continue their work. All that was left was to cut the hole in the roof and build the chimney. However, the bricklayer informed me that he was not going to complete his work until spring. He then explained that in his work there were “needs” and “wants.” Doing the initial work on the fireplace was a “need” so as to not delay other construction. Continuing work on our fireplace, since it was not going to be the primary heat source was a “want.” Other people were waiting on the bricklayer to repair or build chimneys as their primary heat source. These people had “needs.” This man’s simple logic immediately and powerfully convinced me that my “want” could not be more important than other people’s “needs.” The fireplace was completed in the spring.

Welfare reform is hotly debated and rightly so. The number of people on food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is spiraling out of control. Maine discovered in the last year that some people were abusing their rent and heating benefits (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). There has been much discussion about the expansion of Medicaid (MaineCare) to tens of thousands of additional recipients. As a result, welfare costs are increasing at an alarming rate at the same time as the economy supposedly doing much better.

What citizens need to understand is, that since Maine is already one of the most heavily taxed states in the country, in the absence of tax increases there is a finite amount of money available for education, infrastructure (roads and bridges), law enforcement, regulatory agencies and even welfare. Huge increases in welfare spending results in dollars not being available for education, infrastructure and so on. Welfare reform must happen. There are those who truly must have help and reform should not adversely affect them. The answer is provided by an old time Maine bricklayer, we must view reform on the basis of “needs” and “wants.”

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

There are those with very valid needs for help from this program. The elderly, those who have lost jobs, spouses with children who have been abandoned by their primary income provider, and those who suffer with disabilities “need” help. However, the key word in this program is “supplemental.” SNAP is meant to help not replace individual responsibility. We should not be helping those who “want” food stamp assistance but helping those who “need” it.

What reforms can be enacted so that those with “needs” continue to receive help and those with “wants” can be channeled into a different path. For those who are able to work, there should be a time limit on the benefits so as to encourage seeking employment.

Fraud in the program must be addressed. Does fraud exist? The next time there is a drug raid, pay attention to what is confiscated. Frequently there are EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards among the drugs, guns, and money. It should not matter if fraud is huge, moderate, or small. Any food stamp fraud takes that finite amount of money away from those who “need” and gives it to those who “want.” The recent implementation of a photo ID on EBT cards should help. The more difficult reform is the cure to the drug culture participating in food stamps. Mandatory drug testing must be implemented. Food stamps for drug users are not helping families eat better, they are helping to enable drug use. What about the children? Fraud reform has the potential of actually making sure that more of the assistance from SNAP is actually used to benefit the children’s “needs.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Funds from TANF are distributed in the form of cash. The program is designed to help needy families with housing, heating, and other necessities. There are similarities between TANF and SNAP. The stated uses for TANF funds are just as necessary as the food that is provided by SNAP. However, since the distribution of TANF is in the form of cash, it has the greatest potential for misuse of the funds. TANF funds were used at strip clubs, casinos, Disney World, and even Hawaii. There should be no discussion about the fact that these are “wants” not “needs.” Significant and immediate reforms are necessary and some have recently been enacted.

MaineCare

Providing medical care to those with “needs” is not a controversial subject. Defining who those with “needs” and “wants” are has been hotly contested. Maine has in excess of 300,000 people receiving Medicare. It is proposed that another 70,000-100,000 people should be added to the program, which would amount to almost one-third of Maine’s population receiving Medicare. Who are these additional people? They are low income, but they are also childless and able to work. Their ages range from the late-teens to late-50s. In other words, they are capable of work and have no responsibilities which prevent them from working almost any job.

Why would someone choose not to work and “want” Medicaid instead of obtaining a job and having private insurance? Employers tell us that they cannot find people to hire for these entry level jobs since a drug test is required.

Illegal Immigrants and Welfare

There are those who “want” illegal immigrants to qualify for and obtain welfare benefits. The national government has forced this issue on the states. For the wage earning, tax-paying citizens of this country to be required to support those who broke the law by coming here is just plain wrong. Millions have immigrated here legally, worked two or three jobs, raised families and realized the American Dream. To have millions of those who come here illegally receive public assistance to be paid for by the descendants of those who came through the door legally is reprehensible.

True Welfare Reform

There are always going to be those due to circumstance, education, or disability who “need” help in the form of government assistance, and for those there should be no resistance. The best welfare reform is to have those people in society who are able to be productive to become wage earners. Those who choose welfare as a “want” are doomed to be always mired in the system. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. The really sad part is that their children may be learning that there is no light at the end of the tunnel for them as well and resign themselves to the same path as their parents.

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Another View is contributed by a group of concerned citizens, who meet each week in the Mid-coast to discuss events of public interest.