Calling all Americans Catholics! I have questions for you!

[christcnection1]

This is so, so true. My father was a doctor…one who practiced medicine as a calling and who loved his patients as extended family members. My father was not rich in money, but rich in love…he never turned a needy patient away, and about half of his patients were Medicare, which in the 1970’s paid him only half of his expenses for taking care of his Medicare patients. But we never went hungry under my father’s care. Once I was in the hospital to have my wisdom teeth out, and complications forced me to stay for several days. Nothing about my stay was as painful as the loneliness of having no visitors in several days (my father coming only after I was asleep, or after hours and being kicked out by the nurse), nor as soothing as having the little neighbor boy I used to babysit sneak in through the garden door (he was too young to visit officially).

What a great example he was! I’m sure his efforts to help many resound through eternity. It also seems he has been a profound and beautiful influence in your life.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[ribozyme]

Also do you think charity can reduce unemployment? Do you think charity can replicate the function of this Danish and Swedish unemployment program?

The headline unemployment rate in Sweden is only 5-5.5%, but this number is extremely misleading as it only includes a small number of the people who the government pays not to work. Many unemployed are sent to so-called “labor market political activities” who have no meaningful purpose then to reduce the headline unemployment number. Including them, unemployment is 8%.

stefanmikarlsson.blogspot.com/2005/11/does-sweden-defy-economic-logic.html

Well some people cannot be gainfully employed so they have to be put away in so-called “labor market political activities.” Do you think charity could emulate those programs? At least reducing the unemployment rate reduces the demand in labor which would increase wages.

What policies would a charity enact to reduce unemployment? And tell me where is the creative destruction caused by globalization. Tell me where is the “creativity” from globalization.

 

[vz71]

Also do you think charity can reduce unemployment? Do you think charity can replicate the function of this Danish and Swedish unemployment program?

I read through the New Testament and find where charity made a number of things happen.
Perhaps you should try reading through the bible as well as reading up on your Saints.

The questions you ask on an ongoing basis may be answered for you.

 

[rlg94086]

I would (as a tax payer) expect that I would get something for my money.

If you extend *your *argument to it’s logical conclusion, you might as well privatize everthing your taxes are spent on. Why should people without cars have to pay for roads on which they never drive?

Charaties have and will always have a role to play. But I think it’s a cop-out if governments just say “well, we are collecting all this tax, but lets let the charities look after the poor”.

Is that what they say? Well then, they just need to stop collecting all the taxes.

It is interesting that you say you should “get something for your money.” As pointed out, government programs are wasteful and highly bureaucratic. If you really want to “get something for your money,” you should try to arrange things so they are more efficient, no?

I’m not for complete privatization - that is crazy. However, European couuntries have gone too far in creating a nanny state, much to their deficit, as I explained. America, unfortunately, is a hodge-podge - some things are done well, some are done poorly. This is the nature of democratic republics. What I am looking for is a good balance of charity, and government safety-net that preverses the dignity of the human person…I’m pretty sure the Church would approve of my approach based on the Catechism and encyclicals. However, as more than one pope has said, there are multiple licit ways to deal with these issues.

 

[iamrefreshed]

So what could one person accomplish with charity if their last name isn’t Soros, Gates, or Buffett? Charity will only make me feel inadequate to deal with the enormous scale of the world’s problems.

They can accomplish plenty.

I work with sick homeless people. Believe me, a kindness shown to someone who feels unloved goes a long way.

All your ranting about Soros and Gates will accomplish nothing but a kind word to someone can change a life.

 

[ribozyme]

They can accomplish plenty.

I work with sick homeless people. Believe me, a kindness shown to someone who feels unloved goes a long way.

All your ranting about Soros and Gates will accomplish nothing but a kind word to someone can change a life.

And such kindess does not give them a home or access to medical care.

 

[rlg94086]

And such kindess does not give them a home…

habitat.org/

ribozyme:

…or access to medical care.

stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f2bfab46cb118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD

shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/

 

[ribozyme]

habitat.org/

stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f2bfab46cb118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD

shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/

I suppose the glut in houses can provide some of them homes.

 

[dmelosi]

I think America is like this because of our Protestant legacy. It’s all about “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”, and monetary riches are seen by many as a sign of God’s grace (at least they used to be). If you’re poor, it’s your fault.

In my college class, after the 2004 election, my students and I had a big discussion about the difference between the two political parties. We came up with the idea - and this is a mostly conservative class, keep in mind - that one party was more concerned about caring for the self and the immediate family (except for abortion), and the other cared more about the community (except for abortion). So I think that, as a whole, Americans are more concerned with taking care of #1 rather than the community. That’s why we rant so much about taxes - and why most of us think we should pay for college, health care, etc. ourselves.

I think this is a pretty accurate snapshot of how liberal thinking colleges are.

A much more accurate way to describe the differences is that conservatives believe that you enable people to live less than their potential by doing everything for them. Liberals think that everyone should be taken care of, but fail to realize that it holds many back from reaching their potential.

 

[ribozyme]

I think this is a pretty accurate snapshot of how liberal thinking colleges are.

A much more accurate way to describe the differences is that conservatives believe that you enable people to live less than their potential by doing everything for them. Liberals think that everyone should be taken care of, but fail to realize that it holds many back from reaching their potential.

What do you mean holds back their potential?

udel.edu/educ/gottfredson/reprints/1997whygmatters.pdf

Some do not have potentials.

 

[dmelosi]

So what could one person accomplish with charity if their last name isn’t Soros, Gates, or Buffett? Charity will only make me feel inadequate to deal with the enormous scale of the world’s problems.

This question is answered for you in every post you ask about it. You seem to be looking for people who agree with you so you are able to do nothing because you claim you have nothing to give.

 

[dmelosi]

What do you mean holds back their potential?

udel.edu/educ/gottfredson/reprints/1997whygmatters.pdf

Some do not have potentials.

One of Christ’s teachings, to do the very best you can.

I would have thought with your education you understood what potential means.

On a serious note…a person does not know their potential until they reach it, but they never do…it is the quest and how hard you try that matters.

Your attitude is that since you don’t “have” you shouldn’t try. How do you think your “heroes” became what they are? Certainly not with the attitude you have. Challenge yourself!

 

[ribozyme]

One of Christ’s teachings, to do the very best you can.

I would have thought with your education you understood what potential means.

On a serious note…a person does not know their potential until they reach it, but they never do…it is the quest and how hard you try that matters.

Your attitude is that since you don’t “have” you shouldn’t try. How do you think your “heroes” became what they are? Certainly not with the attitude you have. Challenge yourself!

I am simply saying that some do not have the aptitude (in other word’s intellectual potential) to acquire the skills necessary for gainful employment. The best way to deal with those people is to provide them a means the guarantees them access to the purchasing power necessary for them to acquire health care, food, water, and shelter and minimize the contingencies associated with private charity.

 

[dmelosi]

I am simply saying that some do not have the aptitude (in other word’s intellectual potential) to acquire the skills necessary for gainful employment. The best way to deal with those people is to provide them a means the guarantees them access to the purchasing power necessary for them to acquire health care, food, water, and shelter and minimize the contingencies associated with private charity.

I guess the next question is to ask what you consider gainful employment?

And another question…do you realize how arrogant you come across?

Intellectual potential and a happy fulfilling life do not go hand in hand.

A lesson you need to learn is that by looking down on people and treating them like that do not help anyone, it will just keep them down.

 

[rlg94086]

This question is answered for you in every post you ask about it. You seem to be looking for people who agree with you so you are able to do nothing because you claim you have nothing to give.

Actually, I think he just wants to see how many times he can type “Soros” on a forum. He has nothing to give, because he doesn’t work. Perhaps he doesn’t have the aptitude for gainful employment.

 

[ribozyme]

Actually, I think he just wants to see how many times he can type “Soros” on a forum. He has nothing to give, because he doesn’t work. Perhaps he doesn’t have the aptitude for gainful employment.

I really want to emulate Soros’ work on promoting democracy (which is inspired by Karl Popper), and I like most of Sweden’s economic policies too. I love talking about their nanny state too.

 

[dmelosi]

I really want to emulate Soros’ work on promoting democracy (which is inspired by Karl Popper), and I like most of Sweden’s economic policies too. I love talking about their nanny state too.

Talking is not working. How many times have you said on these threads, that since you do not have the resources of Soros, that you do nothing?

 

[Cordelil]

The reason the U.S. is the way it is due to it’s governing document the U.S. Constitution. It’s a small government, make your own way document. Sure, there have been many changes in the social safety net arena. Many of these programs were initiated with President Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation. Plus, many others have occurred over the ensuing years by Democrat and Republican Administrations.

Perhaps, we Americans should push for a constitutional convention to update the Constitution. However, I don’t see that occurring in my lifetime.

The problem I see with government programs in the U.S. is so many of them are costly and ill run. Take the variety of welfare programs: only 3 out of every 10 dollars goes to the recipient while the govt. takes 7. It’s good for the govt. and it’s employees but so-so for the people that need the help. If we could turn those statistics around where the govt. figures out a way to be more efficit and helps the “people” more instead of itself then I would be more receptive to them.

There are some private charities that keep their expenses low like in the 10 to 15% range not the expensive 70% like the govt.

John

 

[rlg94086]

The reason the U.S. is the way it is due to it’s governing document the U.S. Constitution. **It’s a small government, make your own way document. **Sure, there have been many changes in the social safety net arena. Many of these programs were initiated with President Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation. Plus, many others have occurred over the ensuing years by Democrat and Republican Administrations.

Perhaps, we Americans should push for a constitutional convention to update the Constitution. However, I don’t see that occurring in my lifetime.

The problem I see with government programs in the U.S. is so many of them are costly and ill run. Take the variety of welfare programs: only 3 out of every 10 dollars goes to the recipient while the govt. takes 7. It’s good for the govt. and it’s employees but so-so for the people that need the help. If we could turn those statistics around where the govt. figures out a way to be more efficit and helps the “people” more instead of itself then I would be more receptive to them.

There are some private charities that keep their expenses low like in the 10 to 15% range not the expensive 70% like the govt.

John

This is where the Church teaching on subsidiarity comes in. With the Constitution as a guideline, local communities (both private and governmental) should be taking the actions necessary for social justice. This keeps it local, where neighbors are helping neighbors. Unfortunately, too many people today are looking to the federal government. The Constitution is clear that the federal government should have a limited role - military, national infrastructure.

 

[mary_bobo]

I think this is a pretty accurate snapshot of how liberal thinking colleges are.

A much more accurate way to describe the differences is that conservatives believe that you enable people to live less than their potential by doing everything for them. Liberals think that everyone should be taken care of, but fail to realize that it holds many back from reaching their potential.