If the right believes in charity why are they so opposed to Social Programs that help others?
Because many social programs have gone *to the extreme* - and instead of temporarily helping people out it's become a permanent job-alternative.
People's social opinions *of* the programs while being *on* the programs have changed, as well. Not *everyone* - not even *a majority* but when some people here and there have this attitude it's hard not to be bothered by it or notice it - it makes you wonder just how many others on various assistance programs feel the same way. Rather than seeing it as "the government is helping us out for a while" many are openly voicing that they feel "entitled to it" - and no longer truly appreciate the assistance.
The systems are easily taken advantage of and abused, as well - crimes related to selling benefits and other types of fraud are quite common and only increasing.
The programs are also poorly designed- they give plenty of assistance to many of it's participants, while others don't receive enough benefits. .. so it's unfair (because it's different state to state)
Also - there are only afew "stepping stone" programs where their goal is to get people *off* the need for the program without just ripping it out from under their feet. When I was on the system it was easy to fleece if I wanted to - and there was very little incentive to take on more financial responsibility for myself and my children. My personal desire to no longer need food stamps was the only incentive I had.
There are things that people *see* often that rub people the wrong way: at the check out line the Mom is buying a bunch of food with food stamps - and it's often junk like soda and snack. . . and then, with $30.00 cash, she buys a carton of cigarettes. . . things like this always tick me off. If someone *needs* help feeding their children then they shouldn't *be* satisfying their cravings. . . I've even seen someone try to buy liquor with food stamps. ???
So - unless they fix stepping-stone (lack of) problems, do more to get people on their own two feet, and craft more strict rules about *what* you can and cannot purchase with benefits - many people will continue to see *these* problems and zoom in on them.
You never notice the people who truly need the benefits - and who don't take advantage of them - because they don't flaunt it or stick out like a sore thumb in the process. . . so to many people these questionable situations are *all* that they *ever* see.