Quick Rant

Okay, so ever since I've been old enough to understand our government in the most basic sense, I have realized that government assistance is something for those in need. Right? Well, apparently even people who should know better think they should just use it since it's available and they "qualify" according to the government's standards. Well, so do I, but taking advantage of government assistance when I'm in no form of need for it is, in principal, irresponsible.

Knowing all this, I can't seem to find a good platform to really educate a certain group of people on this subject. Ironically enough, most of the people who take advantage of these programs when not really in need are in fact those who stand politically against the advancement of these exact programs. These are people who would most likely categorize themselves in the conservative side of politics where government programs are wished to be minimized, if not abolished, and given to the states if they so wish to issue the same.

Now, the main category of government assistance to which I'm referring is Medicaid. I counsel women who NEED to get on Medicaid. It's serving them a huge purpose. Then there are those, typically Bible college students in my experience, who think that since they want to have a baby, despite still being in school and having very little income and having been married for usually only a short time, that they will and will let the taxpayers pick up the bill without any thought to planning, saving, delaying gratification, which is a sign of maturity, or thinking about how it will influence those around them. Part of the issue here is the sense of entitlement that this current generation and my own definitely have. I have to fight pretty hard sometimes to remind myself that I don't just deserve anything. And especially if I want respect of those older, I better be willing to work hard for what I'd like to have or achieve or else it's not as fulfilling. The other part of the issue I think is emotional. I fought my maternal urges for 3.5 years before I finally got pregnant, only to miscarry. Luckily, I'm pregnant again and get to enjoy this venture. It's not easy to ward this off, especially when you love someone as much as I love Monte and want to share that experience with that person. I totally understand. However, reason and rational thinking have to be a part of family planning, and if any group of people in the great country need to excel at family planning, it's Christians! And I think the 3rd part of the issue is that men aren't allowed or expected to be an active participant in fertility planning. Our society has tried to deem it a women's issue and so men are now very hands off. However, Christian couples need to understand that it's a 50/50 team effort and that men need to forsee the rational side of this when their wives are consumed with the emotional. Trust me, I know. It wasn't long ago that Monte and I had many discussions on having kids soon. His hesistance was not what I wanted, but it was the best choice for our marriage. And now, after 5.5 yrs of marriage, we can thoroughly enjoy this pregnancy without the stress of school, poverty level income, me having to work, and how we're going to pay for all the medical bills.

Maybe another part of the issue is also the lack of vision. When we are future focused, things in the present become much more important and pivotal. It's less of the fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants mentality and more of the thinking of actions today affecting outcomes tomorrow. If I had to be pregnant during college, I would quit. I want to fully enjoy the experience of pregnancy and having a new baby at home. Plus, it's super stressful. Why put more stress on myself than what I already have? Baby isn't going to benefit from that.

So I say, Bible college students, chill out, relax, enjoy each phase of life in due time. Trust me, you have a long time to have babies and get married and be the picturesque couple. Do one main thing and do it well. Don't spread yourself so thin that you can't remember what you did yesterday. And by all means, don't pass off your medical bills to the government. More of you out there doing that means more of a burden on society and we already have plenty of people dipping into those funds who aren't nearly as informed as you are. Research, plan, save. You'll be proud you did.