It seems that every day Gov. Paul LePage does something that sets off a new wave of outrage among rank-and-file Democrats.

While sometimes it is justified, other times it is not. Such is the case with the midweek announcement that the state would not apply for a waiver from the federal government from the requirement for work, public service or job training for some recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as food stamps. It’s also important to point out that the requirement is only for “ablebodied” folks receiving SNAP. They are defined as recipients between the ages of 18-49, who have no dependents living with them, who are not pregnant and are not disabled.

Now, keep in mind that these requirements for SNAP have already been in place. This isn’t a new thing, this isn’t the nefarious Paul LePage trying to walk on the downtrodden. What’s changing is the state will no longer apply for an exemption from the rule. The waivers are designed to help states with high unemployment rates be able to provide assistance to those in need and not punish those who could not find work due to the economic downturn. Since 2009, Maine has applied for the exemption. It’s highest unemployment rate in that period was 9.7 percent, which was in February 2010. Last month, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, a pretty significant positive change from February 2010. It also means that people are finding jobs.

“People who are in need deserve a hand up, but we should not be giving able-bodied individuals a handout,” said LePage said in a statement Wednesday. “We must continue to do all that we can to eliminate generational poverty and get people back to work. We must protect our limited resources for those who are truly in need and who are doing all they can to be self-sufficient.”

It’s hard to understand why those with common sense would be upset about this. Why shouldn’t we be trying to move people out of generational poverty? Why shouldn’t we be trying to get people back to work? Why shouldn’t we require people to give something of themselves while they receive benefits?

Of course, the move drew concerned responses from some.

“This would be a very different conversation if we were talking about a labor market in which there were plenty of jobs out there and you really could say that people who were not working, who could work, were just opting out,” said Garrett Martin, executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy. “In this case, you can’t say that. There are a variety of reasons why people are not working, one of which is there just aren’t enough jobs.”

Ann Woloson, policy analyst for Maine Equal Justice Partners, said LePage was “setting up a false expectation that anyone in Maine can find a good-paying job that pays a livable wage.” She added, “It ignores the fact that we lag behind in our response to the economic downturn in terms of job creation, especially jobs that pay a livable wage and lift people out of poverty.”

With all due respect to Martin and Woloson, they’ve glossed right over the ability of people to get job training or volunteer their time to also meet the requirement.

It would be one thing if there was a work-only requirement in place. Regardless of whether the unemployment rate is 9.7 percent or 5.5 percent, it can be hard for some to find a job. But since this requirement also includes job training or public service, it seems like a no brainer.

We’d argue that with the job training and volunteer provisions in place, there should be no need to apply for a waiver. Also, we’re talking 20 hours a week, not an onerous request. If you aren’t disabled, pregnant and not responsible for taking care of dependents, you should be able to find 20 hours in your week to work, get some training to find a job — or a better one — or volunteer in your community. It’s important for us to help those who do need assistance, but trying to improve their lives or the lives of those around them is important for them, too.