SJS, I’m glad you have been relatively unaffected by this economic downturn, so you are able to gaze from your lofty financial perch and look disdainfully at the hoi polloi who need government assistance to pay the bills. However, as Artchill pointed out in another thread, many families who were formerly very comfortable are now struggling to make ends meet. There is a 10% unemployment rate. Statistically speaking, that means 20% of homes where both parents worked are now making do with 1 breadwinner. And of course, there are homes where both breadwinners were laid off.
As for the kollel people who take government support, 47% of American don’t pay taxes. Many inner-city residents are happily taking government money while living the good life. Why is the money going to those engaged in an intellectual pursuit so terrible? Furthermore, do you think, in an economy with such high unemployment (6 people per job opening), they could actually get a job?
Finally, nobody who is taking government money is taking money from your pocket directly.
Please have a heart and have rachmanut on those who aren’t in your financial matzav.