Banning food-stamp recipients from buying "junk food" is a worthy goal, for more than just nutritional reasons. The fact is that frozen pizzas, cheese doodles and Popsicles are not only questionable for health reasons -- they are also typically overpriced, and therefore, a waste of state resources when used as food for the hungry.

Many food assistance programs already forbid organic, natural foods, which are expensive as well, but at least healthy. Why not ban junk food too?

Unfortunately, the idea, while good in principle, would be a nightmare in practice. Trying to define what is and is not "junk food" would be a monumental task, and by the time food makers were done lobbying, we'd likely wind up with a set of rules as nonsensical as those regulating which foods are subject to sales tax. And whenever Frito-Lay decides to roll out a new "crunch-tastic" snack food, the government and all the state's retailers would need to add to its list of forbidden foods. This could wind up erasing any cost savings, and the extra hassle for grocers would add to their government-imposed burden.

Nutritionally, all Minnesotans would be better off if we bought less fried, salted and cheese-coated food. We'd also be in better shape if we all joined a gym and stuck to a fitness plan. These kinds of things are worthy goals, but unfortunately, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's welfare plan doesn't appear to be the way to accomplish them.