Costly Government Aid?

Q I am a stay-at-home mother. Our family participates in a government-assistance program called WIC (Women, Infants and Children). I am troubled that three different Catholic friends say it's just one more step in the government having control over us. Is it? Also, is it ethically correct because we are not in financial trouble and are getting by?

A This is a great question about a very common concern. There are two overt issues. Will this invite increased government intrusiveness? And are you stealing? There are also two covert issues of possible vanity and pride, which I'll mention later.

Given that we have to pay our taxes (“render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's”), we always hope that there are some legitimate “benefits” that the government should provide for its citizenry: military defense, roads, street lights, police forces, fire departments, schools, social security. We may choose not to avail ourselves of, say, the public schools, in favor of private schools. However, even home schoolers in several states take advantage of the facilities and educational opportunities offered by the public schools.

Regarding any hidden agendas by the government, it seems to me that you are probably not revealing any more “personal business” than you or your frowning friends reveal, with all the details on your income tax returns.

“The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race” (No. 2402). The universal destination of goods is a more fundamental right than even the ownership of private property. So the legitimate use of tax dollars by the government to help those in need is actually an ethical one, giving primordial value to the universal destination of goods (No. 2403).

Are you being asked to compromise your own family's values in return for this government aid? If not, and you receive this legally legitimate aid, then it seems as ethical to accept it as it is for a wealthy person to accept a tax refund.

This is a case of distributive justice which the Catechism says “regulates what the community owes its citizens in proportion to their contributions and needs” (No. 2411). If you can use this legally attained benefit and it helps your family, it is a good thing to accept it.

It already sounds like you have your friends on your back and I don't want to add to the chorus, but an aspect to consider when trying to do the right thing is to be sure that vanity and pride don't misdirect our intentions.

You might possibly be worrying too much about what others think as human respect or vanity will make us prone to do. Or pride might be tempting you not to accept from others because you have to make it on your own, alone. Pride and vanity are always something to watch out for.

Bring issues like this to prayer and spiritual direction and don't hesitate to reach to the top of your bookshelf and blow the dust off of that handbook for life, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, when issues like this pop up.

Art Bennett is the director of Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Service.

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