I believe the point is: money in the hands of consumers equals increased economic activity.
View the country as a vehicle. The economy is the engine. Eveything else runs off of it. AFDC and other welfare programs would be like the air conditioning, taxes like power steering, Social Security like a big boat being towed, etc... All those things depend on a strong and healthy economy. Overburden your engine with too many ancillary devices and what results? Shrink your engine and what results? Strangle your engine with excessive regulatios and what results?
Of course, my analogy assumes we want to GET SOMEWHERE. I think a lot of folks would be happier sitting in the redwoods making leather sandals than seeing the human population thrive.