The following is a quote from Katherine Kersten (Minneapolis StarTribune, June 23, 2005). 

"Too often, we believe we can adequately address the plight of the less fortunate by doling out ever larger sums for government benefit programs, government schools and a host of other 'we'll take care of you' efforts. ...But (we) know that real civil rights are a product of economic and educational freedom---the freedoms that unleash the creative power of the human spirit."

America is the land of opportunity.  When the government takes away the right to reach for that opportunity by doling out money for government programs that increase dependency upon government, the concept of opportunity becomes a joke.

There lies the difference between liberal and conservative.  Thank you, Ms. Kersten for the clarity.