McEachern states "Thus, you decide how much of each good to purchase by considering your tastes, market prices, and your income. Consumers maximize utility by equalizing the marginal utility from the last dollar spent on each good. Research suggests that people act as if they try to maximize utility." Essentially, economists believe individuals are in the best position to make decisions that maximize their own utility. Some government welfare programs provide cash transfers. For example, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash to poor families with dependent children. However other programs are in-kind transfer programs that directly provide health care, food, and housing to the poor. Should all welfare programs be cash transfers so that the poor can decide for themselves what they need most? Or is it better for the government to decide which goods and services the poor should receive? Are individuals or government officials best at maximizing the utility of the poor? Discuss