"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
On the contrary. I have no interest in taking money out of the pockets of
the rich and giving it to the poor. I do have an interest in my fellow
human beings, and I would like to think that most people here have enough
humanity to give someone help if they truly need it.

No argument with that. Many people need help to make it though life.
Charities do their part, and should be encouraged to do so by the government
via tax breaks, etc. Individuals should also be encouraged to help their
fellow citizens in need. But Social Security spent more than $50 million
per year in the 1970s and -80s on TV and newspaper advertising aimed at
finding people who might not be aware that they were *entitled* to SS
benefits, despite their financial status. Talk about wasteful spending.
Fortunately that program was halted.

Max