You need to keep in mind that these prophesies were provided when the country was a LOT more self-sufficient than it is now. In fact, getting ANY sort of "help" from the Government (never mind completely DEPENDING upon the Government) was such a horrible thing to contemplate, and the stigma was so embarassing, that many people whom WE would consider MORE than qualified to receive it never even asked. Until after WW2, people would get help from their families, neighbors, friends, churches and synagogues. A kind neighbor might mean the difference between Life and Death. People checked up on each other. They were also not afraid to put in a day's work for a day's pay, and men would actually leave their families at home in order to travel to other cities because there was work there, sending their wages back home.

I don't think that the Prophets were able to even conceive of an America that sits on its' ass with its' hand out for government nickels and dimes like a hurdy-gurdy monkey.