Liberals versus Conservatives regarding helping the poor

[JimfromOhio]

PHILANTHROPY: Conservatives more giving than liberals, author says. Wednesday, November 15, 2006 by Frank Brieaddy: NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

The book, Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism (Basic, $26), is due for release Nov. 24.

"For too long, liberals have been claiming they are the most virtuous members of American society," Brooks writes. "Although they usually give less to charity, they have nevertheless lambasted conservatives for their callousness in the face of social injustice."

 

[Monica02]

PHILANTHROPY: Conservatives more giving than liberals, author says. Wednesday, November 15, 2006 by Frank Brieaddy: NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

It should be interesting to see reactions to this book.

 

[churchrat]

As stated in the article, conservatives are not opposed to helping the poor, but rather income redistribution.

And haven't conservatives always been told that to impose morals on their fellow citizens is bad? How is forced charity an exception to this rule?

 

[romanov]

As stated in the article, conservatives are not opposed to helping the poor, but rather income redistribution.

And haven't conservatives always been told that to impose morals on their fellow citizens is bad? How is forced charity an exception to this rule?

Good point!! I thought I was alone.

 

[JimfromOhio]

As stated in the article, conservatives are not opposed to helping the poor, but rather income redistribution.

And haven't conservatives always been told that to impose morals on their fellow citizens is bad? How is forced charity an exception to this rule?

I thought about that too but the point of the book was the Liberals wanted the Government to handle the problem while the Conservatives are doing what the Bible teaches. The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems". Its really interesting.

To the Liberals, it is about "NOT my money but YOUR money" while to the Conservatives, "Here's my money as God says we are to help others even though we know the Government can do it too".

 

[carrymeaway06]

It's the heart of the person. I'm conservative, my friend is liberal. She's done alot for me.... What's the point being made?

 

[churchrat]

It's the heart of the person. I'm conservative, my friend is liberal. She's done alot for me.... What's the point being made?

It's not about the heart of individuals; it's the heart of a collective group that's been called into question by the opposing group... an accusation that unfortunately has gained some momentum.

Perhaps a disclaimer should be placed on all liberal vs conservative threads: We realize, of course, that those who would call themselves liberal or conservative don't necessarily hold to all of the same opinions as their party consensus, and that liberals and conservatives can be friends.

 

[billwald]

does the book indicate which group is more effective or are they both sending good money after bad?

 

[JimfromOhio]

does the book indicate which group is more effective or are they both sending good money after bad?

Good question... the main focus of the book is "money" and how each spent their money and how much. It appears that the book looks at both side of "money talk".

One thing someone said:

Conservatives: Donate and Share

Liberals: Tax and Share

 

[marke]

I thought about that too but the point of the book was the Liberals wanted the Government to handle the problem while the Conservatives are doing what the Bible teaches. The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems". Its really interesting.

To the Liberals, it is about "NOT my money but YOUR money" while to the Conservatives, "Here's my money as God says we are to help others even though we know the Government can do it too".

You write: "The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems".

Ya, let the poor bastards suffer.

Just like Jesus would if He had control of the budget of the most wealthy nation in the world.

I wouldn't have expected these words from you. It makes me sad.

God bless.

 

[Voegelin]

An excellent read on how liberal attempts (if they really were sincere attempts, I have my doubts) to use government to help the poor is:

FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression by Jim Powell

New Dealers didn't make one or two mistakes. Everything they touched turned into a diaster. But this book isn't just a slam on Democrats. Hoover had the same interventionist policies FDR did (after however campaigning to have just the opposite). Small town conservatives helped create the Depression by blocking large banks from expanding across state lines (Canada did not have similiar laws and had NO bank failures during the Great Depression).

 

[dcyates]

You write: "The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems".

Ya, let the poor bastards suffer.

Just like Jesus would if He had control of the budget of the most wealthy nation in the world.

I wouldn't have expected these words from you. It makes me sad.

God bless.

Is that what he said?!? That's not what he said at all! C'mon, if you're going to disagree with somebody, fine! But at least actually address what it is that that person is asserting without deliberately misrepresenting them. Sheesh!

 

[dcyates]

Have any of you ever read the classic work, The Dream and the Nightmare: The Sixties' Legacy to the Underclass by Myron Magnet? This book goes into considerable detail outlining how government social programs have actually done much more harm to those they were designed to help than they have good.

Several of the writings of economists, Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams cover the same subject, reach the same conclusions, and are also excellent in this regard.

 

[dcyates]

An excellent read on how liberal attempts (if they really were sincere attempts, I have my doubts) to use government to help the poor is:

FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression by Jim Powell

New Dealers didn't make one or two mistakes. Everything they touched turned into a diaster. But this book isn't just a slam on Democrats. Hoover had the same interventionist policies FDR did (after however campaigning to have just the opposite). Small town conservatives helped create the Depression by blocking large banks from expanding across state lines (Canada did not have similiar laws and had NO bank failures during the Great Depression).

Yes, I haven't read this book yet but it's on my 'must-read' list.

Really, it all boils down to what the (recently) late, great Milton Friedman once said:
"There is only four ways to spend money...."

 

[churchrat]

You write: "The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems".

Just like Jesus would if He had control of the budget of the most wealthy nation in the world.

Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Cor 9:7

It's one thing when a country is actually "budgeting", balancing money they have, and spending responsibly so that they can put as much of their funds as the can towards the poor. It's another thing when a welfare state is created, and taxes increased to support that state. You're forcing people to help the poor under compulsion.

Not to mention, I think our definition of 'poor' in the United States is a little out of whack, but that's a whole other deal.

What Jesus want more than anything else is for us to serve God. And at God's command, every knee will bow. But obviously, forced servitude does not fall into God's plans.

 

[carrymeaway06]

Two things... poor is not poor. True. The truely poor here have been shunned and we act like they don't exist because we don't want other countries to see us as horrible or weak.

Second is that it doesn't matter liberal or conservative, neither gives very much.

 

[JimfromOhio]

You write: "The Bible never said anything about "getting the Government to take care of the problems".

Ya, let the poor bastards suffer.

Just like Jesus would if He had control of the budget of the most wealthy nation in the world.

I wouldn't have expected these words from you. It makes me sad.

God bless.

For YEARS, Christians have been focusing on the social, economic, political and military crises which have confronted our lives. This will not changed since government systems around the world have been evolving to many different levels and some are really bad. Government is not the problem. Its PEOPLE.

Christians, non-Christians, Extremists, Liberals, Conversatives and the list is so long. Politically eveyone is so divided. We ALL are Christians first and everything else after that is secondary including political party. We must careful not to identify the gospel with any political parties because Jesus Christ have HIS OWN Party which is HIS KINGDOM. Christ stands alone, above and outside of every ideology of any political parties.

We CAN'T comprehend and solve solutions but we CAN have faith in His decisions in all situations and solutions. Rather than finding solutions to the world's problems, b grace God brings us into the spiritual family of God and starts the process of transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28,29). The Biblical process of solving problems begins with God's Word revealing our hearts (James 1:21-25, Heb. 4:12). At that point we can then go to the real Christ for grace, mercy and help (Heb. 4:13-16). Then as the real Holy Spirit ministers in our lives through the Word of God, we will grow in abundant life and godliness (II Pet. 1:3) and become adequate for every good work (II Tim. 3:16,17). Read Romans Chapters 12, 13, 14 and 15 and Book of Galatians because they teach believers to have a real relationship with God.