Tyrants always throw scraps to the poor because it keeps them in power. For the cost of a coffee and donut he bought thier loyalty and silence. Meanwhile if any of them so much as informed on one of his men he would kill them without hesitation. This is how socialism works. Keep the masses desperately poor so they rely on your handouts. Make them wait in long lines for it so they know who feeds them. Make a big spectacle of all the numerous programs, but make sure they never have any chance to get out from under your thumb.