You guys are quick to assume that everyone who disagrees with you is a heartless Republican or Conservative. I'm none of the above.
I'm a lifelong Democrat who has spent a huge part of my life working with the disadvantaged. This is not my profession but it is my passion.
I am however, a thinking Democrat. You don't fix problems by simply shoveling money at them. There are far too many families who have been on public assistance for generations. I see young mothers with multiple small children and no father to help, financially or in parenting. I see too many people who work very hard in low paying jobs while others have never had a job and probably never will. Wouldn't it be better to get these folks into training programs for real jobs that will pay a living wage? Training not just in the actual job skills but in learning a basic work ethic.
I'm afraid some of you have a very narrow, prejudiced view of the world. There are serious problems out there which require a more pragmatic approach. Keeping people in poverty generation after generation is truly heartless.