Government-enforced redistribution of wealth is wrong. It is wrong to take what someone has legally obtained and give it to another. Voluntary redistribution of wealth is great. If I choose to give my money away to others, that’s wonderful, but the government should have no place taking my money and giving it to others.
In fact, when the government takes our money, it deprives us of the opportunity to voluntarily give. Government-enforced redistribution of wealth is an enemy of selflessness and brotherly love.
What's more, it's bad in a practical sense. We can donate to organizations that we know with certainty will use our money well to help others through causes in which we believe. If the government takes our money, however, the money gets filtered through a deplorably inefficient system and ends up going not only to those in true need, but also to organizations and causes to which we are opposed, and to those who are genuinely lazy and who feel entitled to the wealth of others.
07 August 2009
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How does it make a difference though? How would that change the governments mind by a few people sending money back? You wouldn't send that money back if your kids were starving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!!
ReplyDeleteOne person (or family) sending back money probably has very little impact on the system. What is $1668 compared to the trillions of dollars being spent by our government? I doubt it's enough to draw attention from people in high positions. If many people were to do this, then a strong statement could be made.
Remember, though, that when many people do something, it starts by one person doing something.
Concerning starving kids: First, I've managed my finances and lived within my means, so my kids aren't starving. Second, if I run into trouble at some point, we have food reserves that will last quite a while, and hopefully until our situation stabilized. Third, if our food supply ran out, we would turn to family, friends, neighbors, and the Church for help. These parties could all voluntarily lend help. Failing all this, I would still seek a way to care for my family without infringing upon others.
I must say that even during the hardest times, wrong does not become right just because it's difficult to do what is right. What comes to my mind right off is a scene from the movie "Cinderella Man". (If I'm shallow for only referring to a movie, so be it.) During very hard financial times, the boxer's son steals some meat. When the father finds out, he walks his son back to the butcher shop to return the food. When I see this scene, I'm touched by the father's honesty and determination to work hard for his family. I'm guessing that some people find this scene hard to believe, or impractical for them, and that these same people would be willing to take something that belong to another if they felt they needed it.
Ultimately, if I believe it's wrong to take the money (which I do), then it's only a matter of whether my convictions are strong, not whether the situation is severe. Too often what happens is that a person concedes and takes the easy way out by doing what he would otherwise not do, instead of making the effort to find a way to accomplish his goals while not compromising his values.
Incidentally, even though our kids are well fed, there are plenty of ways that we could justify ourselves in saying that we "needed" the money, and plenty of ways that we could have given the money to others with needs. We were confident that it wasn't our money to use or to give.
To sum that last bit up:
ReplyDelete1. One person (or family) is not enough to make a big impact on the world, but it is a start, and perhaps the necessary start for true positive change.
2. Regardless of whether we make an impact on a large scale, we've done what we believe is right. That's always important.
On that note, even if have erred, we haven't erred on the side of greed; that's reassuring.
They just took your money, made a profit on it and gave it back. You're letting them take it, make a profit and then keep it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful your kids are well taken care of. I'm talking about the people that don't have secure jobs or family that have the means to take them in.
I'm fortunate enough to have a family that has been able to help me. I've been too ill to work enough to support myself. It's not like I don't try to live within my means, but when you don't have health insurance, it's hard to not go into debt. It happens.
I think it's great to do what you feel is right. Others like me think it is just fine to take what was taken in the first place and use it so I won't have to go deeper in debt.
My opinion is that it would help more people if took that money and gave it to they charities you find worthy.
Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteSpecifically, they took OUR money. Most of it comes from those with higher incomes; I happen to get a large tax return anyway.
Let's understand something: They have done something wrong that I cannot prevent. I have refused to do something wrong. Their actions don't determine mine. Too often people find justification for violating the law and for violating basic principles of morality because they decide that they deserve or want something (such as in cases of music/video piracy, common theft).
I aim to do what is right regardless of whether someone else has wronged me. If the government takes money, makes a profit on it, and uses in inappropriately, the sin is already on their heads and there's nothing I can do for them (though for the sake of the nation I can exercise influence and do my best to legally remove them from their positions). However, I still determine my own course of action. My own actions are most important to me, because they determine who I become; that’s eternally important. Beyond that, I hope that my actions will improve the world.
I sympathize with those who don’t have such an easy time maintaining and income, and because of that I do give to causes that efficiently and effectively help people who are in need. I do so with my own money, and thus without infringing upon others’ liberty by taking money that is rightfully theirs. Would it be right for me to sneak into the homes of the wealthy, steal their money and possessions, and donate it to helpful organizations? No.