Then it seems like a very bad idea to put the security of your home, food, and livelihood entirely on the whims of the government to such a degree.

Hum... If you are saying that people shouldn't willingly depend on social assistance, I don't think you will find anybody to disagree with.

If you are saying that people should be free from government's whims, congratulations, you've just discovered Democracy. Anyway, if your government has whims, the security of your home, food and livelihood is entirely dependent on them. It doesn't matter if you depend on social assistance.