I am writing again about government and care of the weakest. I am opposed to those in the public sphere who talk of religion and compassion and then put forward policies that are diametrically opposed to the teachings of Hillel and Jesus. Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney want to implement programmes that will hurt the most vulnerable and yet they use their religion, “the sanctity of life” for backing anti-abortion laws while stripping others of their basic right to dignity. That is so wrong. People with religious hearts must use that moral background to implement programmes for those most vulnerable, not protect the wealthiest.
I am suggesting that government must maintain the ideals of charity and provide through its programmes care for the weak, the poor etc; that we have moved on from leaving the care of others strictly or mostly,to charity. Charity begins at home within our government policies. We, as citizens, come to learn that we are obligated to care for others. Charity and NGO’s fill the gaps. The less the government, the people we elect, care for the weakest, the greater the need for charity and I want to believe that we have evolved as a society to think of care for the others as normal as breathing.
Maimonides wrote that there are three levels of charity. The first level, the donor and recipient know of each other. The second level, the donor knows of the recipient or the recipient knows of the donor. But the highest level of charity is anonymity. Neither the donor nor the recipient ever know of each other. This allows for the dignity of the person.This is the most altruistic.
Philanthropy is not meant to make us feel better about ourselves. The highest order of giving comes from the knowledge that it is the right thing to do, the right behaviour.
Many years ago, there was a programme called Queen For A Day. Poor women came on the show and talked about their needs. It was a competition of sorts. The one with the best sob story got her wishes. Begging in public.To receive a handout: charity.
It is sad today to see people beg for health care that should be a right not a privilege. That is the place for government.
