Once you pay your taxes, it is not your money anymore. Thinking that way leads to the very sense of entitlement that people don't like. And, it leads some individuals to think that they should only have to pay taxes for the things they support and ignore the rest. Your tax money goes into the government coffers and *ideally* should then go to those programs, projects, and people who need it. And you are right that people in dire straits should expect help. Not just b/c of taxes, money, programs, etc; but because it is the most natural human response that someone in need should see.