If, by “helping the poor”, one means providing them an education which will enable them to lift themselves out of that unfortunate category, then helping the poor is never a waste of money. If, on the other hand, “helping the poor” means giving people money for doing nothing (except voting Democratic), then it is indeed a waste of money. Giving people money for doing nothing destroys their natural hunger for accomplishment, turning them into complacent do-nothings.
ummm, watch out for jumping out of the frying pan into the fire