My good friend D. Michael Martindale stated that there is a troublesome mindset that people get when, "government is taking care of," our needs, and we get to thinking that "we don't have to worry about helping others." I think there is some truth to this.
Yet, and D. Michael you knew there would be a "yet," let me draw a few fine points upon our proclivity to nap when disaster rages about us when we think Capt. America is the proxy for our charity.
First, charity offered among associates or bestowed by strangers when there is an obvious need is more likely to be timely, specifically tailored to the scope of the problem to be re-mediated and is given to those who genuinely merit it. That is why families, churches and other private organizations are so good at efficiently providing this type of charity.
Second, random charity offered by strangers to strangers, though serving an important purpose at times, or that is given long after a compelling event, is often untimely, haphazard, inadequate or disproportionate to the actual need and is therefore inefficient and more likely to be given to many who are truly free loaders. This is why we like having (at least I do) charitable organizations to funnel our charity through so that they can access the need and deliver the assistance in a proportionate manner.
Third, many of the most needy do not belong to churches or other charitable organizations. And many that desire to provide basic charitable services are unaffiliated with charitable organizations or are suspicious of them.
Lastly, where private charity sometimes breaks down is when there are persistent, somewhat invisible, long term, chronic problems. Unfortunately, government is often best to address such problems--not because it is more efficient--but because it more easily operates in a manner that is comprehensive and does not differentiate due to color, creed, race or political affiliation. It also, through legal constraints, must do so in a transparent manner. It therefore is better equipped to deal with many long term issues like health care. For these reasons, many prefer such community wide charity to be provided by government.
Yet as D.M.M. states since too much Government involvement destroys our initiative, government programs should not displace private charitable efforts but should only provide a minimal safety net that when supplemented by the private sector creates the most humane yet dynamic and productive society as possible.
Loren M. Lambert © September 25, 2012
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