Mike,
Ron Paul's plan is to let people who are already dependent on these programs keep the benefits, but to wean the new people off of them.
I PERSONALLY don't believe that there should be programs like welfare because I don't think that they solve PROBLEMS. I think they solve symptoms.
In general (obviously not in all cases), these programs promote people to stay on welfare. Getting a job makes them ineligible. I've read accounts of people in the welfare subculture who talk about the flaws in the system.
Instead I'd like to see people keep more of their money so that they can save for hard times. If you don't save... it's YOUR problem.
That isn't to say that people don't need help sometimes. I borrowed money from my parents one time. I wouldn't have died without it, but it made my life much easier.
With no taxes there would be more money in families as well as charity organizations which could be given (or loaned) WILLINGLY to people, rather than the government playing robin hood. A great example of something like this are the microloan programs going on in other countries. These solve PROBLEMS and don't create dependence.
I guess some people don't share my view here, but I believe that there's such thing as acceptable losses. If someone can't cut it in society... that's fine. Some gazelles in the pack get eaten by hyenas.
I want policies that will enable people to have the most freedom to do what they want, while encumbering them as little as possible.
At the same time, I really do like helping people and want success for people. I just don't want the government to mandate how and when I have to help people.
Tynan