There are multiple programs in America that are socialist, and nobody ever berates them. We've got parks, libraries, the military, and medicare. I like to think that feeding the hungry and caring for the sick sets us apart from lesser countries. If children are going hungry, they should be fed. If their parents can't or won't do it, then why not have a socialized program that will?
ITA with all you posted. The only thing that concerns me is the BBM underlined portion of your post. I have been in a position where it was necessary to receive LINK (food stamp allowance). The area I live in is very poor, and almost everyone is on at least one form of government assistance or another. A LOT of my neighbors (not my block but surrounding ones) are in the regular habit of trading their LINK money for 50 cents on the dollar in order to obtain cash to buy beer, ciggies and drugs.
I think the concern that the alot of the money meant to feed the hungry children may well be misused in order to benifit the parents skewed proirities and not the children at all. No such program would be needed if the majority of those childrens parents weren't mishandling the money already being alloted them through the LINK program.
I am not saying all people on public assistance are druggies, bad parents, drunks, etc. I AM saying there are many of them that are. This is a known fact to me, in my area, in my own life's experience. As I stated, I myself have needed assistance and I do no hold the position that assistance is a bad thing. I just wish it were regulated and managed better so that misuse was less.
I also freely admit, I know people who are struggling to get by and just barely make too much money to qualify for assitance. Their situations are very hard and without food pantries to pick up the slack, their children would be hungry.
I wish I had all the answers, but I don't, just concerns.
I am also worried that our society, through it's endless aid programs are creating an entire generation of adults who are becoming infatalized with no real clue or ambition to WANT to be self sufficiant.