If your income allowed you to supplement by government programs while increasing that income did not, some would remain at the lower income level. If government provides for needs and some wants there is no incentive for some to find jobs. If government programs allowed you to collect needs and some wants while working for pay (under the table) some might do that, while losing self respect, self reliance, self worth.
Providing the means to exist for those who don't have that ability is a noble pursuit. Providing good feelings for those who throw other people's money at a problem rather than seek real solutions is self serving, not compassion.
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner."
"The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable."
H. L. Mencken
Isn't that trying not to be poor?Being poor is four years of night classes for an Associates of Art degree.
It could also just be a cheap dad. Like mine was.Being poor is off-brand toys.