That's why...

 So it's been a while and unfortunately our world is in chaos. I too have been feeling it. My world has been changing at a much faster pace then I would like. Houses are being built in my vision in a down economy. That's mind boggling. I don't understand how that can happen but I for one hope for the day home prices crash. 

Anyways that's not the reason for my writing today.

I have an announcement. Not only is my entire family on Medicaid we are also on Food stamps.

Yep. This current disaster has moved my family towards government help. This has not made me feel like a failure rather somewhat vindicated. I may be wrong in others opinions but I also feel a bit of entitlement to these programs. I worked hard and raised my 4 kids without any parental help and very little help from the government when I did qualify. To put it in perspective, I have spent around 4 times more in a single month on food stamps than I have gotten from the government in my first 10 years of marriage. If you calculate my child's recent dentist bill then it would be 20 times.

Now why would I do this. Why after all these years would I finally break and join a government program when I have written extensively that the government and even church should not so freely give? I've proven I don't need help, I can provide for my family in hard times, why then would I want or need a government program? Well it's an extensive answer that does require a little journey back in time. By the way in my perspective I'm taking advantage of a program not joining. In my perspective I'm using it to my advantage to my goals not relying on it.

Ok let's go back to the beginning of this blog again going back to what I was feeling back in 2014 when friends, acquaintances, relatives, ward members, and neighbors just seemed to have it easier than I did. (This is not to say they all did) Every dollar I spent was carefully calculated so I didn't miss a credit card payment or my mortgage. At times after my paycheck on Friday my wife would ask me could we get out of town this weekend, go on an adventure. My answer often was "we can't afford it". Credit cards were maxed out causing financial wounds that would never heal with interest eating up most of my payments. For fun or entertainment we often window shopped at Walmart or went to the dollar store or a thrift store. Finishing our day with a 5 dollar pizza and a short drive. I mean we were making it but not well. We were happy yet I felt we deserved more.

There's a lot that goes along with this story including lessons learned through a broken down car or me having my own personal revelation on how I can better manage my financial situation. I could have an entire book dedicated to just answering this simple question. I don't have the time for it and quite honestly you probably don't want to read it.

So back to around 2013 and 2014. Two of my toughest years financially. I wanted answers and solutions to my question. How and why were people making it better than I was when I know I was making more money than some of my friends and had half the debt others did and what are the solutions to my problems?

So I created a blog. The blog's purpose was my own kind of healing. My journey to find answers to those questions. A place where I could share my feelings and ideas with no one to judge me. To date I believe only one cousin even knows my blog exists. And he's probably forgotten about it by now.

While writing this blog I learned a lot. First of All car loans are horrible! Insurance cost can and should be controlled. Credit cards are great and Dr and dentist bills can always be negotiated. It helps to have good phone skills on that last one.

I also wrote a lot about and learned there is a lot of subsidization EVERYWHERE! I'm talking Dr Dentist grocery stores universities (Heavily subsided) prescription drugs utility bills and even my favorite Disneyland! Indirectly subsidized is Disneyland. Want proof. Simply require all Californians on Any social program (Medicaid food stamps section 8 housing) restrictions on visiting the park. I guarantee attendance will be way down. The reason a lot of Californians can visit the park is because they are subsidized!

Even if you claim to have no government help that does not mean you haven't been subsidized.

I really did not like president Obama but there was something he said that I as a more conservative voter agree with. He once said "you didn't build that" meaning you didn't build that building or company yourself. Now I understand some people pre 2000 did actually work hard and built their companies mostly themselves. What about their kids? Did they not get any family help when they succeeded? I can probably imagine they didn't receive a dime in any social program that doesn't mean they too didn't benefit from a subsidy. A FAMILY SUBSIDY! This too is everywhere and it should be! Families who can provide help even if it's a place to stay in between good and bad times or even in between houses can provide a SUBSIDY at no cost. While writing this I learned 40% of 25-35 year olds live with their parents in the state of California.

The family SUBSIDY is one of the reasons x-friends of ours were able to have some play money while we stayed home on the weekends. They lived rent free while living with parents. Had free utilities. Some of their food cost was covered as well. They also were on WIC which provided free food and formula. Over a thousand dollars was saved monthly. We made around the same income but they were better off because of this magic word SUBSIDY.

I want to share this next story that happened recently that actually influenced my decision to apply for food stamps. I had a conversation with a younger brother of mine recently. Somehow the topic of food stamps came up. Friends of our are on food stamps and because of the cares act they received 500 dollars more in a single month. My younger brother shared his feelings about that. Probably the exact same argument I used to always make. People on food stamps seem to be able to afford some frivolous things. I then brought up a point. I asked him a question are you applying for a FAFSA grant this year? He answered yes. I then told him how great it was my first year when I received 2 grand for free. It provided enough money to cover all books all tuition and housing. I had a blast my first semester of college. I then asked him why is it ok for you to accept one form of "government handout" but someone else who doesn't feel college is worth it accept another including food stamps. He actually answered, "well I'd rather not accept government help"

Well why don't you! You have a choice!

Look. If you want a level playing field when it comes to opportunity or financial help let's level the playing field. If a person 'A' should not accept financial help from the government (according to person 'B') why should person 'B' accept help from a financially sound Family. Both sign an agreement that both will not accept ANY help. Person 'B' should not be making the rules that benefits him/her over person 'A'

So to finally answer the question above. I tried it on my own and I succeeded. I also tried reaching out to family for help when I felt help could improve my situation. My parents basically told me I'm on my own and my brother told me he wasn't going to loan me any money when I wanted to buy a house. (That was actually a blessing in disguise but that's a topic for another day) 

Subsidy is everywhere. My nephew is benefiting from it while being married and staying with my brother. My brother's and sister have both had government grants. My sister and her husband stayed with my mom and dad for a couple of weeks/months. My brother who has strong opinions about food stamps said his first grant was 5000 dollars. My brother's sister and nephew have/will probably benefit from FAFSA grants.

If you attend any BYU Schools your tuition was probably subsidized through tithing. Even my dad told me at the hospital with my last child, he didn't have to pay for my 2 youngest brothers. His hospital bills were covered.

So the question now turns back to you. Why do you think I should not have help when I need help. Why should I have no family help, church help, or government help? 

Again if you think it's unfair that I'm getting free food and free healthcare let's level the playing field. You give up all your subsidies, match our wealth, not support your children and I'll do the same. Well in a perfect world I would have an entire city or town sign the agreement.

That's not going to happen and subsidies in all forms are not going away.

My opinion on government or church help may have softened and my opinions do change. This is not to say I am for or against food stamps. My opinions are broad and require thought and more time to write. That's not going happen

 I can and will individualize examples of other governments helping wealthy individuals that will prove my point of person 'B' trying to make the rules that favor him/her over person 'A'.