Neither extreme liberals nor extreme conservatives handle the problem of poverty very well.  Of the two, it seems conservatives are somewhat better at it, at least if you believe the NY Times, who says that conservatives give more to charity than liberals do.  Whatever, . . .  The fact is, a liberal would do well to go into a project and see what their tax money buys --- more squalor and indolence.  A conservative would do well to understand how far behind a child in such an environment is in relation to the better off.  True Christians WANT to help those who cannot help themselves.  I almost said "want to help the poor," but thought better of it.  Where do we get the notion that ALL "the poor" --- even the indolent --- have a claim on own pocket-books?  Conversely, realize that those who cannot help themselves DO have a claim on our wealth, and that we will be judged by what we do for the least of our brethren.