With the lackluster economy, the difficulty of getting a family by on one average income, and the availability of a variety of government and public programs designed to help those with lower incomes, do you see any problems with a Catholic getting tied up in the "system" of supporting themselves partially through government and other public assistance programs?

Some I've talked to in the past (our neighbor's brother, for example) would rather do almost anything than accept an unemployment check. He moved in with his brother while he was between jobs and worked a few side gigs until he returned to his usual level of employment.

I can't say as I'd disapprove of the mentality that you'd deprive yourself of many conveniences before accepting any sort of hand-out -- especially the government-sponsored sort.

I'm just wondering where others here fall in regarding these things. Only recently have I adopted the mentality that I'll take anything I qualify for no matter how much or little I really need it -- I pay into these systems (perhaps moreso in the past than currently), why not grab the benefits that I qualify for when I can?

This year we caved in a applied for foodstamps as a temporary measure.  My husband has been looking for a second job for many months now.  We don't get a lot of assistance but we do get some and it has helped.  I am now able to buy fresh produce--something that we had to do without because it was too expensive for our budget.  At first, I was embarrassed by it, but I went to confession.  Pride is a very insidious sin.  We can do a lot of damage to our families when we are too proud to admit that we are wrong or need help.  Sadly, in our modern society, the government has taken over the role that individuals and churches used to provide.  Before unemployment insurance, social security, food stamps, and welfare family members and communities provided for the needs of the underpriviledged.  

I think that if a person qualifies for such programs, they shouldn't worry about accepting assistance -- with one caveat: It's not lawful as a Catholic to vote for Obama, for example -- even if it's clear that you'll "live better" if his policies were implemented.

So you must vote for the responsible candidate, even if your poor family would benefit more by a more socialist-leaning direction from the likes of Obama. You can't choose evil that some small good may come of it.

A family living in this horrible modern world, with its high taxes, expensive healthy food (and cheap subsidized food -- corn, corn syrup, corn-fed beef), messed-up economic system (the dollar has lost over 95% of its value since the Fed was created in 1913) -- it would take hours to list what's "happened" to the world in the last 50 or 100 years -- has to take advantage of whatever "positives" are offered these days, which the architects of this modern system have designed to keep people at the bottom of the pyramid alive, and keep them from revolt and/or despair.

In other words, a poor family living in today's messed-up economy without the benefit of welfare, social security, food stamps, WIC, etc. would be like a man in 2010 saying, "I believe air conditioning makes a man too soft and lazy. People used to live without it, so I can live without it today!" even though he lives in a double-wide trailer -- which didn't exist before air conditioning. The man has the right idea -- A/C DOES make people soft, want to stay indoors, etc. But manufactured homes (for example) have little to no insulation, and have no "natural cooling" features like homes built in 1890 or 1910. Not to pick on manufactured homes -- ALL homes built after 1960 or so have ZERO natural cooling features, unless you count roof insulation. They used to orient homes a certain direction, had overhangs, awnings, large trees in front, high ceilings, strategically placed windows, different building materials -- all of which helped you to live an A/C-free life.

It's hard (to impossible) to live a "hybrid" life, where you choose the WORST of both worlds! Having 1910's social welfare net (non-existent) with 2010's economy (weak dollar, two parents have to work to survive, etc.)

And it's certainly better to homeschool your children than to reject assistance on "principle". The latter could be mere pride -- the former actually affects your childrens' souls for eternity.
Likewise, it's much better to have a large family than to reject assistance.

I think we Catholics have to be "wise as serpents" to survive in this wicked age. God's will is still very clear in most areas -- support your family, raise and educate your children, protect their souls, accept the children God sends, etc.

There are PLENTY of things we can't control at all -- so we have to do everything we CAN to live a good Catholic life, within the bounds of morality (no stealing or cheating, for example).

P.S.
Social security should not even be considered "assistance", because we've all paid into it, and most of us will never see a penny of it (unless you're already drawing on it). If you can find a way to draw some money out of that system, DO IT! Don't plan on getting more later -- it won't be there, period.
If you can retire early at 59 1/2 and get 10% of your normal benefits, DO IT and count yourself lucky. If I could "retire" at 35 and receive 1/2 of 1% of my normal benefit amount, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Matthew

I understand the economy is worse in the US than here. I believe our minimum wage is $10.50 an hour.  When my husband and I both lost our jobs, we had it rough.  We then started to sell some items on ebay and then did the odd garage sale.  Things started to improve so we then started selling items at a flea market.
After 25 years, we are now selling antiques  at the odd show. It has been more profitable and has helped us in our old age.
When our son was born, I wanted to stay home, so I rented a room and board to a student. I also worked as a secretary at a RC church on Sunday. In addition, I baby sat a young boy.
I'm sorry to give my history, but it might help some of you who are
going through rough times.   Have courage, hope and above all pray your rosary.  God love you.

You do what you have to.  it is not a sin to be poor or to accept help from a government agency.

IMHO I don't see why not.  I'm sure those who are honest have no problem seeing those who need temporary help receiving that help.  I think that those who are better off, just get angry at those who obtain the benefits fraudulently or make it a way of life and I tend to think you're not speaking of that type of person.

I'm certainly not speaking of anyone who receives assistance fraudulently, but somehow I do see a difference between what you "need" and what you "qualify for."

For example, when our last child was born, our income didn't change and our expenses changed perhaps only very minimally, but being a larger family we suddenly qualified for programs that we didn't before. We seemed to have gotten by just fine without them, but nonetheless I filed the application and joined the program.

(I was thinking about this again today as we just got our property tax bill to pay the school that our kids won't ever use!  :sad:)