How should I answer this? RE: Government Services [View All]

I have a friend who I have been having a debate with on a discussion group we both belong to. We have very different political view, obviously, but I need to answer a point she made and I'm not sure I'm saying the right thing. I know you guys can help me!

To paraphrase, it all started with a debate about schools and what schools should/can do for our children. This woman is a very solid Republican (she's for W because "he believes in personal responsibility").

Her point is that services for the poor (e.g. welfare, AFDC, WIC, college grants, medicaid, medicare...even to some extent public schools)should be done away with. Once this happens, all of these services will be be provided by "communities, churches, neighborhoods, and charities" which are "a better safety net than the government". She further says she'd rather give her money to charities than the government (my guess is that there would be far less given that way, but I think she'd be insulted if I said so).

She also believes that only Republicans believe in personal responsibility which blows my mind based on the lack of same I've seen in our government recently.

My response thus far is that A. these groups cannot possibly meet the need and B. Often there are strings attached which keep people from applying or getting this kind of help.

So, what do you think I should bring up here....my goal is to provide a debate, not to insult anyone.

Bettie