Moved: Idea to fix America's problems: For both parties.

Those opposed will argue that it would perpetuate dependency. They fail to recognize that with proper organization and overseeing it could help the needy while encouraging the ablebodied to work.

I've since edited my original post to better explain what I'm saying edgar.

What I'm saying I don't think would perpetuate dependency. It would encourage more people to go out and work because they don't want to have to knock on a charities door for food all the time and they won't lose their ability to get aid simply by going out and getting a job.

One thing to consider however is history. In the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's there was virtually no welfare as we know it. The government did step up during the Great Depression to assist with short term grants and jobs programs, but the idea of welfare as an entitlement simply did not exist.

There were homeless then but they were called hobos and they had no sense of entitlement whatsoever. They went from house to house or small business to small business requesting work to do to earn a meal or two. And they got it. Because Americans were as generous then as they are now.

The thing the stats quoted don't show is the non cash contributions, volunteer hours, and other non monitary assistance provided that isn't channeled through monitored agencies and therefore doesn't show up in the annual tally. It doesn't reflect the direct philanthropic contributions to education, museums, zoos, art, hospitals etc. that allows us to have all the great American institutions we have and almost all of these are funded by the wealthy of the country.

But once the government stepped in to take care of the poor, what happened was that charity contributions became almost insignificant. How much difference would a buck thrown in the Salvation Army Christmas bucket compared to the millions the government was sending out.

I am NOT advocating that assistance for those who cannot help themselves be abolished. I know of no conservatives anywhere who are advocating that.

But if government doesn't do it, I am confident the American people will. Americans are the most generous of people and they give freely and without reservation when it is needed.

I'm not as confident that the rich would automatically pick up the slack foxfyre.

Many people starved to death on the streets before the 1920s.

The idea, hey if I don't do it, someone else will, WILL run rampant. Read the article I quoted. Richer people donate less to charity, If they can't afford to part with a few bucks, what odds are there that they would volunteer their time.

If so few people can muster up the hour or so long it takes to vote out of the belief that their minor contribution doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, then what chance is there that the same people that complain about the poor being lazy and responsible for their own fate would give to them.

The main argument for charities is that they might be able to do it more efficently. Only the most successful charities would survive etc. Only the best methods would work.

So this compromise lets us apply this free market ideology to charities rather than a socialistic welfare system, all while ensuring that they do get funded.

You only fund the charities that you like and agree with. Or you can just choose to give the money to the govt instead and let them decide how to spend it.

Atleast this way, people have some say in how their tax dollars are spent.

Please read the entire original post.

And if you dislike the idea PLEASE post why.

Now I consider myself reasonably well versed in American history and do not recall reading this anywhere, even from the most liberal of the liberals. Where do you get your data for this statement?

The initial post itself is tediously long, but I will respond with my views on charity versus government welfare when I get more time.

My topic was too long Foxfyre, that's why I edited and condensed it.

I didn't think this topic fits into politics well so I moved it to... http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22636

Sorry for any inconvinience.