Reagan’s point is simple: welfare should be a safety net that catches you in a hard moment, and a springboard that helps you bounce back. We should call it a success when people no longer need it—when they find steady work, rebuild confidence, and stand on their own feet. Counting how many people are on the rolls tells us how deep the crisis is; counting how many leave tells us whether we are truly helping.

This view puts human dignity at the center. The goal isn’t more dependence; it’s more opportunity. Good policy clears the path to work, removes traps that punish earning more, strengthens families and communities, and opens doors to skills and jobs. Real compassion is helping people rise, not keeping them stuck. Freedom and responsibility, joined with genuine care, are what lift people out of poverty for good.