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Eleemosynary Think
NMB, Florida February 20, 2002 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
ELEEMOSYNARY THINK
I am using only my own reactions as proof that our nation should not rely
on charity or faith based solutions for homelessness, hunger and other
social problems. I think my reasoning is as least as good as that of Mr.
Bush. The old American reliance on the individual and distrust of government
has roots in "eleemosynary" thinking. This is another word for "charity".
Our early communities would rather build schools than prisons. The school
is an eleemosynary institution. Public baths, parks and museums are
eleemosynary institutions. Public taxes are used to lay streets and
highways. We would rather have them than dirt paths. Public money poured
into railways, airlines and businesses make them eleemosynary enterprises
too.
My own reaction to "giving" to help others is governed by the contents of
my purse at any given time and my reaction to the individual who has his or
her hand out. I like to "give" antiseptically through the mail to name
organizations and I feel that the number that I give to sufficiently frees
me from the guilt of having more than enough while others go without.
In many cities around the country there are street intersections where
homeless individuals mark out their territory making believe they sell the
Homeless Voice, a newspaper. In Italy Carol and I came across Gypsy women
sitting in our path with babies at their breast holding out their hands,
begging. There is only a qualitative difference between the two situations.
I think there are many others who are too proud to beg or accept charity.
"Individualism" works two ways. I can give privately or give publicly
through my government. Those without should be deserving of dignified and
helpful public support. I know of some who have died of hunger or disease
rather than accept charity.
If faith-based or private charity organizations take over, they will be
unequal to the task. Churches and other organizations have very little left
after paying bills for plant, salaries and pageantry to spread around to too
many needy. The truly homeless, hungry and helpless need more than just
"enough". All humans need dignified treatment. You and I have more than we
need but we already pay too much in taxes. WE are the government and we can
assign that government the task of making our society civilized. Carol's
Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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