I would point out the only reason that they're in need of govt aid now is because of over-dependence on external things like govt in the first place and failing to have any self-sufficient redundancy.
To be fair, the second option is a false comparison. The logical purpose wouldn't be to convince people of the past, but to give false hope for the future. It's not outside the realm of possibility, which is why, as always, playing it by ear going forward is always the preferable option.
In God we trust. All others are suspect.