>I would use a standard broader than individual responsibility as the basis of my ethics -- to include substantive social involvement.

I would simply say that I agree that we as individuals have a great responsibility to care for those less fortunate. I believe that firmly. However, just as firmly, I believe that government - especially the federal government - is not and can't be the proper mechanism through which to best do this.

Charity is not charity if someone forces you to do it. No one should be able to vote money away from someone else. It is really nothing more than legalized theft. It reminds me of an old "definition" of what a democrat was - "somebody who likes to spend other people's money to make themseleves feel better" - From what I've seen in my adult life - 20+ years now - I don't think that is far off.