Posted on 12/11/2010 5:25:54 AM PST by Kaslin
Tis the season to be jolly, but you can forget about that in political circles. The current angst about the economy and taxes is so intense that even Santa's reindeers are spooked. Speaking the other day on a cable news program, liberal Congressman Jim McDermott put it this way: "This is Christmastime. We talk about Good Samaritans, the poor, the little baby Jesus in the cradle and all this stuff. And then we say to the unemployed we won't give you a check to feed your family. That's simply wrong."
As I wrote in this space a couple of weeks ago, the liberal agenda in America is expanding and now includes demands for guaranteed jobs at good wages for all who want to work. Unemployment benefits were extended again this year, and if the Obama tax compromise is passed, $150 billion more will be added to the deficit. Adding it all up, the total debt of the United States will soon exceed $14 trillion.
By invoking the baby Jesus, McDermott puts an important question in play: What does a moral society owe to the have-nots? How much public money should go to those in financial trouble?
Many liberals believe there should not be any limits. Just this week, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency because his state is bankrupt. The liberal legislature in Sacramento has spent so much money on entitlements for the poor and state union workers that it owes an astounding $158 billion.
If the wild spending continues on the federal level, the entire country will be adversely affected. Right now, the financial future of most Americans hinges on the dollar retaining its dominant position in the world. But if our currency collapses under unpaid debts, so will personal assets.
There comes a time when compassion can cause disaster. If you open your home to scores of homeless folks, you will not have a home for long. There is a capacity problem for every noble intent.
America remains the land of opportunity, but you have to work for it. The unemployment rate for college graduates is 5 percent. For high-school dropouts, it is 16 percent. Personal responsibility is usually the driving force behind success. But there are millions of Americans who are not responsible, and the cold truth is that the rest of us cannot afford to support them.
Every fair-minded person should support government safety nets for people who need assistance through no fault of their own. But guys like McDermott don't make distinctions like that. For them, the baby Jesus wants us to "provide" no matter what the circumstance. But being a Christian, I know that while Jesus promoted charity at the highest level, he was not self-destructive.
The Lord helps those who help themselves. Does he not?
No! He helps those who trust in Him alone.
There comes a time when compassion can cause disaster. If you open your home to scores of homeless folks, you will not have a home for long. There is a capacity problem for every noble intent.
***That’s some impressive writing.
But being a Christian, I know that while Jesus promoted charity at the highest level, he was not self-destructive.
***Interesting point. In the end, He really was self-destructive, laying down His for those who didn’t deserve it. Christ did not have a capacity problem.
The Lord helps those who help themselves. Does he not?
***That is not a biblical expression. It’s unfortunate that such good writing ends on a wrong note.
“America remains the land of opportunity, but you have to work for it”
There are now at least 3 generations that say you don’t have to work for it and now it is even offensive to some to ask them to work.
Right on!
This monster supports partial birth abortion, supports cloning for medical research, and supports embryonic stem cell research.
The bible does say that we (the church are to take care of the widows and the orphans. it also says that those who dont work (but are able to) should not eat either.
No where does the bible say that we are to steal other people’s money in order to take care of the poor.
Theft, even by taxation, is still a sin.
It is CHARITY if I willingly give of my OWN money. If the govt takes My money to pay someone else, that’s just (legalized) STEALING!
I thought Christmas was outlawed in every public place because the birth of Jesus is offensive to liberals. Can’t have it both ways.
Nonsense. That's one option, certainly, but another fair-minded person might reasonably observe that the government lacks the capacity to determine who needs assistance "through no fault of their own."
Actually taxation is robbery because the government takes with the implied threat of the application of deadly force should one resist haveing their property taken.
In the Bible Government was established for two reasons: 1. To protect against enemies. 2. To keep order.[Punish wrong doers].
Foreclose and stamp out the unemployed.
It’s their fault the jobs moved offshore anyway.
I once got into an argument with an LATimes columnist (a guest on Michael Medved’s radio show)who kept referring to my charitable contributions as his money. He said I might not do the right thing with my contributions (give money to charities that the Left doesn’t support)and the Government was better able to determine where the money should go. Consider this.......in Socialist countries there aren’t many domestic charities. You don’t need domestic charities when the Government takes care of everyone at the expense of the higher wage earners. The jealousy, from the lower income earners, of high wage earners in those countries is tangible. I am so sad that the class warfare of Socialism is now rampant in our country.
Isn’t it a bit early to be drinking?
Depression is treatable. You should see your doctor.
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