Hi coffee addict.
I respect the idea of being self sufficient.
But the implication that the government is a separate entity, is not true. Our lives are soaked in government. Taxation is just one area.
We are taxed at the register, in our weekly paychecks, at the end of the year… We are taxed by our municipality, the state, and the federal government.
We basically pay and pay and pay. If government actuaries, or whatever, determine that a person in such and such a situation and income is entitled to assistance, then what point is to be made by denying oneself?
If one truly believes in not relying on the government, then they should protest any government involvement in their lives and refuse to participate in contributing, rather than refuse to benefit.
But to fully cooperate and pay all those taxes and then deny yourself assistance, if needed, proves what point? There is no honor in that.
I think taxpayers are more entitled to benefit from assistance, if they are taxpaying citizens who qualify, than to use coupons to buy things at a discount. Why not pay full price to be honorable?