In the old days, people thought panhandlers should be ashamed of their situation and work their way out of their own troubles. After all, we were the richest country in the world, and the most free, and the opportunities were such that any man could lift himself up out of his situation and get self respect.
Now days, people think we should be ashamed that others are in a bad situation and are panhandling because we are the richest country in the world.
We became great when people relied upon themselves and not the government to improve their situation.