And this is exactly WHY we must have taxes and relief for those in need!

Because - if it is left up to "Charity" - this is what will happen ~

People will only give to "their own kind". Or, they won't give at all.

This is why taxes and social programs are better - personal issues are taken out and people are all treated the same. Based on *need* - not who they are.

Best to do it with taxes and have it meted out in a fair and impartial manner.

Originally posted by Zinky
And this is exactly WHY we must have taxes and relief for those in need!

Because - if it is left up to "Charity" - this is what will happen ~

People will only give to "their own kind". Or, they won't give at all.

This is why taxes and social programs are better - personal issues are taken out and people are all treated the same. Based on *need* - not who they are.

Best to do it with taxes and have it meted out in a fair and impartial manner.

I disagree, but I'm still fine with you're plan. The taxes and social program could work, and I would be fine with that if they did, but currently we pay an exorbitant amount in taxes, plus the extra and hidden fees, plus the subsidies on insurance that doesn't even cover us, and it still doesn't work, and they still ask for more.

I highly, highly disagree with "their own kind" statement. That is ridiculous! The money that poured out for Katrina, and 9/11, and Joplin, MO, and Oklahoma City before that, and Hurricane Andrew, and the Earthquake in San Fran, and Haiti, and Indonesia, came from all walks of life and all types of people.

I know people that went to Haiti for a month at a time, and they were not Haitian, LOL!

Just at my own job, I see the poorest and lowest paid giving the most to their co-workers, or churches, or causes. I think it is probably much less than 1% that would qualify a donation to "one of their own kind." That is a pretty disgusting sentiment, and I hope and pray you are wrong about it.

Libertarianism at it`s best, or worst, depending on how you look at it.

It is rare for any government to do anything perfectly. No matter how many taxes we pay, the government will not be able to handle every problem perfectly.

With that said, we are also all human. When there are a massive amount of humans suffering and we refuse to do anything to help, as a human society, it shows where we are as a society.

Although, I have been following the relief efforts post Sandy and the amount of people forming citizen action groups, reorganizing communities so they can work together and individual people simply offering whatever service they can has been inspiring. Human are social animals and like to band together and help each other; it is in our nature to do so. We humans are addicted to the feelings of love and social acceptance. It is a rejection of our nature to do otherwise.

Yet, I understand your feelings. You don`t like how you pay taxes and then don`t see the result you thought you would. Yeah, I have felt that way before as well. Yet, there comes a point in time when I say to myself, `You know what. Something has to be done. It does not matter who pays for it or who gets credit for the work completed. People need help.`