A thought on the poor

[mahnmut]

How much a society is worth is measured not by the way it treats its Have-most-s, but by the way it treats its Have-not-s.

Thank you, Ani.

Reminds me of a good principle I know from mountaineering:

The group goes with the speed of the slowest walker.

Or else, it'll break up and you'll lose half your fellow mountaineers.

Also works for Arctic/Antarctic explorers. Which is why the frostbitten Lawrence Oates deliberately left Robert Scott's camp and plunged into the storm - to get his mates rid of himself, and give them a chance to proceed with increased speed. Of course it didn't end well, but you get the idea.

Maybe some of my conservative friends would propose that the poor get left out to die in the storm so that the rest of us could proceed with increased speed? I can see it at the tip of their tongue, but political correctness prevents (most of them) from pronouncing it.

Comments

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

The problem is, if you leave it up to individuals to decide who they donate to then many people end up getting nothing. How do you think drug addicts, AIDS victims and single mothers would fare if we were depending on right wingers to give charity?

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

Actually this gets into what is defined as charity, and what conservatives consider charity. Example: We have a very active "crisis pregnancy Center" in my small town, which supports unwed mothers. Also a very active homeless program, most of the homeless here are addicts, or recovering addicts.
These programs consist mainly of temporary provision while said people work thru their, hopefully temporary situations. They are provided with training, treatment, and many times, jobs.
Of course I admit this is easier in a small town (less than 140K) in a semi-self contained valley.

"many people end up getting nothing."
I submit to youthat this is a very loaded phase can could imply a lot, and I may infer from it more than you meant. Since it is past my bed time, I shan't go there tonight, besides I hate to jump to delusions.