Lies

Lies We Believe

               Some lies make life easier and who doesn’t like easy? Easy is what Man is all about. But, lies have a way of catching up to both tellers and believers. The notion that social welfare is compassionate is a lie. Social welfare programs, as practiced in America, are nothing more than a salve for the conscious of those too self-centered to be bothered with the poor. We draw an imaginary line and say—here’s some money. Now, go away. True constructive help never enters the picture. The reason for this is simple. Building productive people is time consuming, costly, and offers few positive results.

The culture of living on the government runs deep. Sparks of incentive are quickly extinguished; usually at the family level. I’m for helping the poor, but help with no teaching or responsibility attached is no solution. It serves only to prolong dependence and stifle effort. So, do we just boot everyone off welfare? No, but we do set goals for the day benefits stop. In medicine and nursing discharge planning starts on admission. Why not welfare? For those too disabled, mentally or physically, appoint independent guardians or mentors to manage benefits.

Granting independence is not the same thing as teaching it. A child with a credit card, even a limited one, needs instruction in its use. Want can be an excellent teacher, but not long term. We have an obligation to teach or stop enabling.

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak…”

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”