Apparently, Maine is going to start limiting the financial assets of welfare recipients, effectively discouraging them from saving money.
The state will place a $5,000 cap on the savings and other assets of residents enrolled in the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Those whose bank accounts, secondary vehicles and homes, and other assets considered non-essential by the government, exceed the limit will no longer be eligible to participate in the food stamp program. An individual’s primary home and vehicle won’t count toward the limit.
The thinking, according to the Gov. Paul LePage’s office, is simple: People shouldn’t be allowed to take money from the government if they don’t need to. “Most Mainers would agree that before someone receives taxpayer-funded welfare benefits, they should sell non-essential assets and use their savings,” LePage said in a written statement.
So, we now live in a country that is hellbent on surveilling and limiting the financial resources of poor people—but never asks the question of how much savings and other assets (from stocks to art) rich people have when it comes to paying taxes.
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