Charity

[childeye]

Childeye, being pro-capitalism doesn't necessarily mean you covet the golden calf, just as being indigent doesn't mean you're necessarily pious. I believe it comes down to the heart, and relative to others, virtually anyone can be called "rich" or be told they chase the money. Anytime someone feels they are living on the bare essentials, someone else with less can say they aren't.

Probably off topic, though.

Capitalism provides for the freedom to pursue what someone feels led to do, and that does not always mean they are in it to get rich. Certain industries are easy targets, but if you go after some, where do you stop. With restrictions, growth is hindered. When growth is hindered, people tend to lose jobs. Deepest respect here for small business owners who risk much, don't have that safety net and create jobs. As you move up, finances get bigger, but business is still business.

Business big and small donate to charity. No, it's probably not out of the goodness of their hearts but out of the social pressure that the free market creates. Either way, they do contribute and put money in the pockets of their employees who also donate when they have the means. Careful with that hand that employs you.

I mean to say that when Moses went up the Mountain he was gone for some time. In his absence the people erected a Golden Calf whom they worshipped till his return. This I believe is a type for the Christ whom we even now await the return of, and likewise in fullfillment, we now worship a Golden Calf until he comes down.

 

[jasoncran]

Fair enough, but I trust you do not believe that corporations "give a rip about abuses of trust" anymore than do governments. I politely suggest that corporations will often engage in hurtful and unethical practices in pursuit of profits.

But governments, also, should be subject to the rule of law.

we military police have saying and its also army wide. theres none more corrupt then the mps.laughing? theres a lot of truth to that.i have heard of and seen it. its sad. but the truth.
when a mp was dispatched to the national guard base for duty. the px was being shoplifted. the mp on duty was caught. not just one, but three of them.:bigfrown2.

when the feds and elected officials are corrupt who shall police them? its sad but those in power either in office or a ceo, the "people' gets the shaft.

 

[Mike]

Fair enough, but I trust you do not believe that corporations "give a rip about abuses of trust" anymore than do governments. I politely suggest that corporations will often engage in hurtful and unethical practices in pursuit of profits.

But governments, also, should be subject to the rule of law.

I would agree that likely as few corporate bigwigs truly have people at heart as does the government. But while some unethical things do occur in big business, the fear of them being exposed stops most from doing what they are capable of. In fact, they are positively motivated to show good will in order to garner citizenship points with the public.

Government waste of tax dollars is a crime in and of itself. You have money never reaching its intended target, because a corrupt agent for it fills his wallet. The biggest joke of a job I've ever had was one summer for college. I painted schools for the district while they were off. This I guarantee: they could have done 4x the work they did, but it was of no consequence to them. Waste, waste, waste. The government breaks their vow to the public every day, and rarely are they ever held accountable.

Public pressure keeps industry involved in charity, but the government doesn't feel any pressure to do anything.

 

[l'Chante]

In general terms should charity be free, that is to say outside government coercion, or should it be increasingly a function of government?

There is a stark difference between the government taking care of medically disabled soldiers and that government assisting with welfare of the population. As somebody that was intimately involved with charity I can surely attest on how much a donation from the government means to people in dire need of food.

The South African boarders were thrown open to Zimbabwean citizens a couple of years ago due to Robert Mugabe starving his people. (You can Google it if you want, but it is not for the faint hearted) It is all fair and well to say that taking care of people in need are Christians' prime responsibility, but very few of us actually do it. It breaks your heart to look into the eyes of a child that hasn't eaten in four days and to glance over at your own child with her shiny hair and cute outfit.
It is times like that you are so grateful that a severely corrupt government does indeed give a little money instead of spending it on overseas trips and R4,500,000.00 renovations to a ministers home.

 

[jasoncran]

I would agree that likely as few corporate bigwigs truly have people at heart as does the government. But while some unethical things do occur in big business, the fear of them being exposed stops most from doing what they are capable of. In fact, they are positively motivated to show good will in order to garner citizenship points with the public.

Government waste of tax dollars is a crime in and of itself. You have money never reaching its intended target, because a corrupt agent for it fills his wallet. The biggest joke of a job I've ever had was one summer for college. I painted schools for the district while they were off. This I guarantee: they could have done 4x the work they did, but it was of no consequence to them. Waste, waste, waste. The government breaks their vow to the public every day, and rarely are they ever held accountable.

Public pressure keeps industry involved in charity, but the government doesn't feel any pressure to do anything.

while i generally agree with this but since you went there about govt employees. one doesnt get paid more to do more work.if they did they would be faster. why would if i was a parks employee mow real fast? i aint going home earlier if i do. yes they could run parks that way but from my expercience. as the garbage guys do this. they will run over thing and run a truck on flat tires if they can to get the work done. if the shift work is done in hr then they get paid 8.if it takes 8 then that what they get paid for.

in my field you cant rush the heavy side of mechanical work but you can pace yourself. trust me lifting and moving 200lb tires at my age with speed isnt as easy as it was when i was 30. try doing that in 100f with 99% humidity outside or in dump on the hill.

yes somethings the govt shouldnt be involved in.when i run my paper route i drive far faster. i have blasted through stops signs and also scared some bike riders/runners as they werent wearing reflective materials.

 

[pjt]

In general terms should charity be free, that is to say outside government coercion, or should it be increasingly a function of government?

Short answer free.

Long answer, I can`t speak for all coutries but I know Americans are VERY generous people, and I think that comes from a strong Christian foundation. Therefore, I would like to believe Christians anywhere in the world are very generous people, and I would like to believe any kind hearted person whether they are a Christian or not likes to help others. But I know, generous people joyfully give whenever an opportunity presents itself and therefore regular people out give the government every single time. And regular people give in a much more effective way. The government will take its huge cut to cover its administrative costs, then it will misuse and squander another big percent, and what is left over goes to the people in need. But the government does not always give to needs that the citizens would want to support. For example, the government may choose to build and support muslim schools that teach strong islamic doctrine. I would not want to give to that cause. Or the government may support abortions in poor coutries as a form of charity. That`s not the kind of charity I would support either, but when the government chooses, I have no choice. They take my money and spend it for me.

So it is better to let citizens choose for themselves who they want to help and let citizens enjoy the feeling of helping someone. It is robbery to deprive someone of the great joy of helping another person. It is a true joy to help another person.