[Steve Van Doorn]

said,
"(George Bailey) doesn't send them off to collect Social Security Disability benefits. He reaches into his own pocket and uses his own money to help them."

Very good post

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks. I'd also add that the whole lesson of the movie was that the $8,000 was completely inconsequential. By the time the movie ended (and I'm sorry if I'm ruining it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie; every American should have seen it years ago) George Bailey was smiling and posing for photographer who accompanied the prosecutor to his home. Clarence was sent to save him, not bail him out of an earthly dilemma.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that a leftist like Ken Burns would have such an attachment to a movie in which the only black character was the Bailey family's domestic help.