Syag:
I have found some comments here objectionable (unless they agree with me), but I do not detect blatant apikorsus.
You are correct, that one cannot sit idle stating that Hashem will provide. But that is not because we don’t excel in bitachon. We are not permitted to do that. Several earlier comments cited chapter and verse regarding our obligation for hishtadlus. If people are pleased with poverty, they can have it. But that does not give them the privilege to public funds. לא יחדל אביון מקרב הארץ is not a mitzvah. It is Hashem’s notice that there will be those at the lower end of the financial continuum. And in assets, as well as in other parts of life, equality is a foreign concept. The challenge for this was in the drama by Korach, who insisted that there be no leaders, that everyone was equal. He got what was deserved for this approach. There will always be the richer and poorer. But that is not accomplished by volunteering to be either – it comes from the combination of hishtadlus and Hashgochas Hashem.
In addition, the benefits that kollelim provide to the frum community are not in dispute. What some are rejecting is that there are too few that are excelling and deserving of public subsidy. The rest should not be there. It is these that are in crisis after spending several years too many in the refuge of the kollel beis hamedrash. It is not about bitachon. It is about mature responsibility. Yes, some will try and fail. They are chayav to continue trying. But it is foolish to expect wealth to rain down upon them when they emerge from their decade of learning with their beautiful growing family. That is not bitachon. It is אין סומכים על הנס. That is the crisis. And as Einstein defined insanity – doing the same thing and expecting a different result. That is NOT a Torah virtue.