Welfare ban for flag burning?

On Wednesday, February 1, a House committee will hold a public hearing on a bill that prohibits state assistance for anyone who desecrates a U.S. or New Hampshire flag. 

According to the U.S. Supreme Court, flag burning and other forms of flag desecration are protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. An individual might be charged with a crime for burning a flag, however, if the flag is stolen or the flame causes some other safety issue.

Bill supporters argue that it is right and just to deny government benefits to someone who disrespects the country. They also say that taxpayers should not have to support someone who commits an act many find deeply offensive.

Bill opponents point out that the Department of Health and Human Services estimates it would cost $360,000 for staffing and software upgrades to implement the bill. Since the department is not aware of any past cases in which a welfare recipient publicly burned the flag, it is unlikely that the state would recover that money in denied benefits.

Do you think the state should ban public assistance for people who desecrate the flag? Share your opinion in the comments.