Joseph, they are called entitlement programs because the leftists have so defined them. However, according to Judaism the highest form of tzedaka is to create productive jobs. The Schach explains that being that the giver also benefits the recipient feels no shame (Chazal assume that a normal person is ashamed to take charity calling it “bread of shame”). Thus the real social heroes are the entrepreneurs.
In addition, because of the distortion of true tzedaka people with connections prefer to throw money at the needy rather than helping them to stand on their own feet. There is a story about a Jew who knew an evyon but did not tell anybody about his plight because he wanted to be able to give him a mattana every Purim. I also have a sneaking suspicion that some have learned from the socialists that the way to control people is to keep them dependent. They will get used to their programs and thus feel obligated to vote for the party that provides them.