Do welfare programs reduce poverty in America?

There has been a lot of talk on this subject. In my opinion, when you give anyone, something for nothing, you eliminate his desire to work. Note, I'm not a stingy person at all. I am all for charity; I give all that I have to help a fellow man, BUT I think we can all agree that Government should not have jurisdiction over charitable programs. It doesn't work; I have seen too many people beat the system. The government is not as careful with it's spending as private individuals would be, In my opinion...