I understand your point, and believe me, I've been there too. Many years ago, I used to donate plasma just to make it week to week. Lived in an old beat up trailer dump, ate at the mission, and got donations from the salvation army and various churches to help with my bills.
Because of that help I received during that time of my life, I always donate as much money as I can to such organizations. I also give freely from my wallet when a homeless person asks for $$. I don't give them cash a lot, but I keep gift cards to McDonalds and stuff on me to give out.
So, I do have compassion for people. But what you may not completely understand is that here in the US, we have a situation where a crap ton of people are
unwilling to help themselves. It's not that they are just down on their luck, it's that they
choose this lifestyle. Meanwhile all the working people get to pay their way. Also, we have a serious problem with illegals, which are draining our system by the minute. My neighbor is a retired cop, was wounded on the job, and is now on disability and a small retirement. He barely keeps his head above water, and does not get food stamps. So, how do you think it makes him feel when he goes to the grocery store and has to stand in line behind a family of non english speaking people, who most likely are illegal (we have a big time illegal population in my town) and watch them use food stamps while he just barely makes it every month?
It's not right my friend, no type of justification can make it right to take from one person to give to another. Which is essentially what is happening here in the US, wealth redistribution. Working people go and work to pay their bills, AND all the lazy peoples' bills.
GS