Gavra:
Yes. I think the fact that they needed to be lobbied for by chareidim only makes it worse. If a govt is providing welfare, how could it possibly not account for the number of children in a household?
Something that irrational is almost per se discrimination. And when it is effected against two hated minorities, yeah, that’s wrong.
I’m not arguing in favor of incentivizing having kids (which most societies say they want to do). I’m arguing that the state does take an active interest in providing a safety net for people and kids are people. For them to not account for the kids is bizarre and seeming proof of discrimination.
And I’m not arguing what sort of welfare the torah would want. I’m saying that in the context of providing welfare, the Torah and anyone would certainly not want discrimination against minorities.