"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You
cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging
thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling
the wage payer down. You cannot further the
brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You
cannot build character and courage by taking away
men's initiative and independence. You cannot help
men permanently by doing for them what they could and
should do for themselves.

---Abraham Lincoln

I don't quote him often, since I don't like him much, but he hit the nail on the head with this one.
Note: This is not a response to anyone in particulars comments... it is just a quote I came across I feel is relavent to this discussion.