The absurdity of the notion that you can fight other people's poverty, of course, compounds the Constitutional absurdity of using American taxpayer funds for the effort. It is not Constitutional. And since it is not rational, either, it provides a fair measure of how far we have fallen from both the ethical and rational.
The usual philosophic dichotomy is between Liberty and Equality, what Carter Pittman once described as "The Eternal Conflict." But there is also an inherent conflict between Equality and Responsibility. You cannot help anyone to rise in material status--anymore than in spiritual status--by offering them a handout. Real progress can only come from within the subject group--only by the individuals in that group assuming responsibility. Any other approach is an oxymoron.
Of course, the very best way to impose responsibility is to cut off the subsidization of failure. But that means turning a deaf ear to the importunings of the Left; ignoring the crocodile tears that they will shed over the heartlessness of Conservatives. To understand how such Welfare as may be morally justified should be handled, you need to revisit the American tradition. (See Constitutional Overview, where we discuss how genuine need was handled in Jefferson's day, and why there was so much less of it.)
The cruel reality is that the Leftist theorists do no give a good Damn about the plight of the genuinely needy. They are simply looking for more and more cannon fodder to Socialize mankind.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site