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Show HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Voluntary charity can it work? By Ernia J. Lee "Can anyone really find what causes it (inflation) and cure it? With all the intelligent, in-telligent, educated, experienced people in this country, why can't we cure our ills?" Brent A. Anderson, Vernal. "How compelled charity causes inflation" infla-tion" is an article by Brent A. Anderson which was published in the February 7 "Vernal Express". Mr. Anderson in his concluding paragraphs makes some excellent ex-cellent beginning suggestions for eliminating forced charity paid for by taxes. Mr. Anderson feels that money spent on the people should go directly to the people so the same value could be received that is contributed. He says: "Over a period of time phase the portion of taxes that go toward people programs out, and over the same period of time phase in a totally total-ly voluntary program of charity. You see when people are not compelled by law they enjoy taking care of their poor, their sick, their mamed, uneducated, unemployed people. And when it is given from one person to another they receive it graciously." "Both the giver and receiver know that conditions can change quickly and their respective roles could change overnight. When we realize that it is no longer government's responsibility we begin to look at others with a new perspective. We begin to care about each other." "Think how a post welfare recipient would feel if someone gave him something useful to do and paid him for it. Can you vision the old prejudices, hate and laziness being melted away? Everyone has his own unique set of problems, pro-blems, and laws cannot get close to a person's emotions and background in order to solve each individual's problems. pro-blems. A real friend learns these problems pro-blems by living and working side by side with those he befriends, proving to him that he needs him. Our present system of compulsory charity breeds hatred between those who have and those who have not, and between government and recipient. It is no wonder we have a sick economy, tax cheating, high unemployment, and unmotivated un-motivated welfare recipients?" Mr. Anderson goes on to say that such a voluntary system should be initiated from The President of theilnited States of America who will do it, and have others do it until it filters down into grass roots America. If a man needs . work, says he, "employ him in some manner and pay him out of their own pocket; if no other means is avialable. If he needs training train him. If he needs education educate him. If he needs food and shelter invite him into their home. If he needs respect and considerationgive con-siderationgive it." Many of these are excellent ideas a very good start towards a plan of voluntary volun-tary charity. Question: Why not begin such a voluntary system in Vernal? or in Uintah Uin-tah County? With state government continually cutting funds for agencies such as Family and Social Services, Welfare and education, why not begin a voluntary "save face" nonprofit organizaiton right here where many needs are? Remember the old quilting bees? barn raisings? plantings, harvests, and other co-operative works of neighbors and friends? Why not today? Perhaps churches could all go together and sponsor pot lucks for those who wish to affiliate, learn, or for those needy ones who need food. When we have gotten to know them, perhaps we will feel free to invite them to shelter in our homes? Small churches could save expenses by forming a single cooperative office for news, bulletins and other necessary work. It could be staffed by dedicated volunteers or skilled persons needing jobs. This could free some churches from unnecessary machine and tool expenses ex-penses and perhaps leave room for local missionary work. Imagine the problem transients would have if they had only one office from which to pick up funds to travel on, instead of going to several churches as rnany 'cons' do now? Pastors and ministers could share the tales of woe used by those who go from church to church to get food or other items, especially at Christmas time. The separation of church and social service agencies does leave much to be desired in re-training those who seek life support funds, but as it now stands, the best they can do is communicate. "Charity by law," as Brent calls it, is terribly expensive but as long as we are a multitude of individuals divided by ideals, goals, and different value systems in religion, philosophy or politics, we can hardly build a community com-munity team of dedicated workers to solve our mutual problems. So? Can voluntary charity work? It can if we can find local dynamic visionaries vi-sionaries willing to practice tolerance and respect their likenesses while diplomatically working out a blueprint of area needs and possible solutions. With a plan of cooperative sharing and shelter for young mothers, some poor, and for unput, companionship and wisdom by our golden agers who wish to be "needed" we might become pioneers in voluntary charity right here in Uintah County practicing in service our "universal love!" , Until then, we wait... and pay... THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK: "The only hope of preserving what is best lies in the practice of an immense charity, a wide tolerance, and a sincere respect for opinions that are not ours." Hamerton. "Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven and hell a fable." Colton. |