I think private charity still does great work, do not get me wrong.  But there's a fundamental problem with private charities-- they depend on private, voluntary donations from ordinary people who must also provide from themselves and their families.  Ordinary folks have more money to spare when times are good and less money to spare when times are bad.  So naturally, donations dropped 11% at the nation's biggest charities in 2009 just as people had been laid off and needed help.

The federal government can deficit spend in tough times, allowing the government to spend more when need is greater.