The acts of compassion and charity can be viewed as a human transaction.
The giver helps the needy out of a PERSONAL recognition that the person needs help. He makes the judgement as to whether that person deserves his compassion (which is coming out of his own pocket). That is the first part of the “transaction”. In return the receiver showers (or should shower) the giver with gratitude. That is the second part of the transaction. (Were the receiver to be an ingrate, he would not fare as well next time he extends a hand).
When a bureaucracy becomes the giver, the bureaucrat involved simply follows a set of rules handed to him. He does not (in fact he cannot) personally judge whether the receiver deserves the help. And the money he hands out is not the bureaucrat’s money, so he has no personal stake in the transaction. The receiver in this scenario has no incentive to express any gratitude. As a matter of fact, he has been taught that he is entitled to what he’s about to receive, and if it’s not exactly right or on time he will also feel entitled to sue the system using a lawyer also paid by the system. (Being an ingrate in this case may actually reward you, since the system will treat you with kid gloves when you come around the next time - Sharpton and Jackson are good examples of this, but there are millions).
Is it any wonder why this country is going down the toilet?
Exactly