In a time when people had large families, there could always be a safety net in place that didn’t rely on government.
When families have single children as is often the case, that kind of safety net isn’t there. Hence, a limited welfare state remains indispensable.
You act as though you believe the socialist lie that says people can “fall into poverty” through no fault of their own. But in reality, people jump into poverty. They refuse to work, live unhealthy lifestyles, and choose poverty over what it would take to get themselves right. And the “safety net” pays them to do it. It’s a slap in the face to right-living people. It’s a disgrace.
If we would allow people to suffer from the consequences of their own choices, we’d have a stronger country and more of the blessings of the Almighty.