You’re not the Boss of Me

6/21/23

Listen to the gnashing of teeth as the issue of restricting what can be bought with money from the government is being proposed. How dare heartless politicians look to encourage healthier diets by listing certain food and drink as “not approved” when being bought with “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” money (SNAP aka food stamps). Now I am not one to suggest that the government knows best. I scoffed at the attempts to limit the size of Slurpees and disallowing foie Gras to be sold. The state was not paying for my drinks or meals so butt out.

On the other hand, when you “receive” from the state, you find out you give too. When you accepted SNAP, they can and should tell you what you can and cannot buy. Stories of a run on lobster tails that never made it to the SNAP recipients table but did provide enough cash for drugs abound. Theft aside, with 53,200,000 people (https://www.fns.usda.gov/yearly-trends) each getting an average $127 per month, (https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap) taxpayers have the right to insist it be used properly especially when we’re also paying for their healthcare!

Therein lies the most credible rationale for insisting on only nutritionally beneficial foods be allowed for purchase through SNAP. If we have to see to your healthcare, we now have a right to make sure you are tending to it when using our money. The parameters of SNAP eligibility are nearly identical to those for “Obamacare” and that puts participants in the crosshairs of control by the state. Nothing comes from the government without strings.

State governments have learned that accepting federal “aid” is letting the camel’s nose in the tent. See Medicare expansion and any number of federal “handouts” that all come with requirements that can and do change over time. Once you accept the “benefit”, they own you and cries of “you’re not the boss of me” no longer apply. You’re beholden to the state.