When did we become reliant on government?

Recently, one of Channel 11's programs was about the "Dust Bowl" that occurred during the 1930s. Being a child, I did not fully understand what had happened during this time. I was amazed by the scenes showing the blowing dust and how it had blocked out the sun, turning day into night.

What really impressed me, though, was a scene showing a farmer receiving food for his family. He was embarrassed and ashamed that he could not feed his family and had to resort to welfare. Almost everyone during the "Great Depression" era felt this way. I recall my mother telling me how ashamed some of our neighbors were to be on welfare.

What happened? Today people are proud of the fact that they can get food assistance, housing subsidies or receive money from the government for doing nothing. How did we let this occur? How did we go from self reliance to dependence on the government?

I feel that if we continue to embrace handouts and see nothing wrong with it, we are doomed as a free people, and will become totally dependent upon the government for everything. I implore you to do what you can to see that this does not happen.

Verne Jarrette

Elgin