I shared this on FB:
A long time family friend, who had a very economically tough upbringing, and now is a conservative Christian who is dedicated to helping those in need, responded:
Thank you, this has not effected the ability for the upright to help the poor. We are still feeding them.
I felt compelled to write this response, and since I spent so much time, I thought I'd share it with you as I think the point is worth pondering when we have these conversations with our family, friends, and members of Congress.
Here's what I wrote on Facebook:
I'm going to step in for my mother here (miss you, Mom); I'm pretty sure she would have responded somewhat along these lines if the question was presented to her:
I couldn't disagree more. We're not. Individual charity is redemptive and should be encouraged, but a great nation's social policy cannot be based on it. Volunteers and charities can only do so much. Trained social workers and directed resources (such as WIC) can (and have) changed entire societies for the better. Life for the poor was a lot worse before the govt changes in the 1930s and 1960s, and we have been a better nation for it. I applaud the professionals that have chosen this career and am saddened that they aren't allowed to do their important work.
A relevant story that I heard the other day is that uber-billionaire David Koch was moved to tears by hearing from scientists at MIT (he's an alum) that lack of childcare was making their lives difficult. He wrote a check for 20 million dollars to build a new daycare center. However, the political movement he and his brother have generously supported have kicked MILLIONS of toddlers out of preschool through their opposition to the law. And now with WIC running out some will be going hungry. The "upright" of course will help some, but the "upright" don't have enough to feed them -- and they do not have the resources a govt does to identify the needy and provide help fairly that a great nation does. Unlike in Biblical times, we citizens are the government in our Republic. It's our ethical duty to support social policies to help the poor.
I have a lot respect for what you have been through in your life, the faith it has brought you to, and your point of view, which is based on your experience. If many in Congress could discuss policy, like we are here, for real, instead of attacking each other's motives, we wouldn't be in this awful place.
Update: added some links