[somnic]

This is equivalent to saying everyone must work to earn their basic livelihood. Unless you're doing something funky with your definition of "handouts" here such that doesn't include unemployment benefits or other publicly subsidized welfare.

[jjk166]

Unemployment and social safety nets are not handouts. You pay into these systems in good times so that you can take advantage of them in bad times. Would you call receiving a check from your insurance company after you are in an accident a handout? You might by chance get out more than you've put in, but you are still entitled to what you receive.

A handout is when someone gives you something you are not entitled to of their own free will. They can stop giving it to you at any time. If you are reliant on handouts, you are at their mercy.

[nybble41]

> but you are still entitled to what you receive

That's the difference. With an insurance contract you are entitled to a payout when the conditions are met because the insurance company agreed to that as part of the contract. The only things you are entitled to are yourself, whatever you can homestead with your labor from unclaimed land, and what others voluntarily agree to give you. Insurance payments and every other form of voluntary contract fall into this last category.

> A handout is when someone gives you something you are not entitled to of their own free will. They can stop giving it to you at any time.

"Social safety nets" are not something you are entitled to. The government grants or denies them of their own free will (albeit using others' money). They can be reduced or revoked at any time, or extra conditions can be imposed for claiming them, and you would have no grounds to sue for compensation over those changes, despite having paid taxes to fund prior payments to others.

[tsimionescu]

Social benefits are not a 'handout' if they are enforced through law and democratic agreement. Everyone in most democratic societies agrees that human life has inherent value, and so they agree to pool their resources and make sure everyone has some kind of basic livelihood.

A handout normally refers to some rich individual giving money to someone or of the kindness of their heart.