Congressional Approval Falls Into Single Digits For First Time Ever&#3

[Lounge Daddy]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1596535' date='Jul 9 2008, 08:55 PM']You must be from a part of the country where families are ostracized if they don't take care of their poor or crippled relations. Not a single member of my family offered to take me in when I was unable to move for 7 weeks, let alone for the years of rehab after that.[/quote]

Yes, actually Grand Rapids is pretty great. And if I picked up on your tone correctly, I sense some sarcasm... or is that resentment over your aweful situation? I'm sincerely sorry about what happened to you.

I can only speak for the people that I know. But generally, we do not expect the government to do charity if we can help it, and we expect it to be a piss poor job when the government does do charity. And it does do a pretty piss-poor job. And don't misunderstand me, there are very good and well-meaning people that work for government social agencies. My wife's aunt is one, and there is a young lady who has posted here on the phorums that lives pretty close to me. But it the nature of the system that is the problem.

Therefore yes, families are expected to take care of their relations. Additionally, neighbors are expected to look after eachother. That's been my experience, both persoanlly and in talking to and working with others.

Where families cannot help, and neighbors are unable to give aid, the charities are able to jump in. Or, many times the charities help the families that are helping the individual. Does it work that way often? Yes, thank God. Does it work that way every time? Nope.

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1596535' date='Jul 9 2008, 08:55 PM']There must be an abundance of church and private charities to help out people in Michigan as well.[/quote]

Yes, there are a great amount of resources available here. Because historically our local government has left us alone. Compare that with the Detroit side, where the government involves itself in everything--thereby choking every sector out, from the business markets to the charitable industries.

There is one unintended consequence when the government gets involved in charity--or anything. Like any other market, if the public sector moves in, the private sector is pushed out. Meaning if the government gets involved in charity, there is less room for private charities. That, in turn, creates less competition, which leads to a lack of efficiency.

By the way, that principle applies to anything at all that the government seeks to involve itself in--from business to religion to anything else. Greater government involvement brings decreased involvement from any other source.

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1596535' date='Jul 9 2008, 08:55 PM']All I can say is that you must live in paradise, don't ever move.[/quote]

Utopia doesn't exist.

But I do believe that there are more good people than bad people. But the good people need to be free in order to be productive.

Greater government involvement handicaps all of that, no matter how well-meaning it is.

Edited July 10, 2008 by Lounge Daddy

[CatherineM]

I am often sarcastic, but never bitter. I am grateful for the help I received, even if it was from an inefficient government. I am simply a zealous advocate for the disenfranchised. I may have had many hurdles in my life that most never have to deal with, but I am now outrageously grateful for every step I am able to take. There was a time that I thought I would never be able to take a step again.

This is one of those topics that tends to bring out very passionate responses. I also realize that it is difficult to explain to someone who hasn't been down the same path that I have, how truly hard it can be. I pray that you never have to gain that knowledge.

[Lounge Daddy]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1596756' date='Jul 10 2008, 01:14 AM']I am often sarcastic, but never bitter.[/quote]

I can appreciate the sarcasm. It helps remind me to lighten up.

I also appreciate you sharing what you've been through. It helps me understand. Thank you.

Edited July 10, 2008 by Lounge Daddy