But without government, who will take care of the poor?

Question

Without government, who will take care of the poor? One government defines [poverty](http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/measure.html) as $11,888/yr for an individual.

Answer 1

People are more generous than you might believe

When the government can't find any help, the social worker often calls the Salvation Army to help someone who otherwise doesn't qualify for government services.

Aimee Semple McPherson rivalled Billy Sunday in his evangelistic days. But she was more known for her charity work. When distasters struck, she helped more than government agencies ever did.

There's a 'crowding out" effect, where when the government gets involved, the private sector dries up. If government stopped helping the poor, private charities, religious and secular would grow more than what the government claims to be doing.

Just a theory, but very plausible,