That is because the "war on ..."-metaphors are pretty much bullshit talk. If you want to look like a strong person, that takes an issue seriously, declare a war on a concept... Its a simple propaganda technique, aimed at people, that are easily impressed by bellicose statements. But it wears off quickly. Especially if one considers how other "wars on concepts" are going (war on drugs, war on terror)

If on the other hand you subscribe to the idea that War is a Racket, it becomes obvious that the label is used quite accurately...

By helping the poor out of poverty instead of strengthening the mechanisms that put them there to keep them there.

I'm not sure how exactly that's Orwellian thinking, please explain.

"War is Welfare" is fairly Orwellian.