Letters on welfare, mocking poor

Welfare state not part of plan

The writer of “No welfare” (Oct. 25 Letters to the Editor) showed a great deal of common sense and responsibility in how she has conducted her own life.

Her well-thought-out conclusion that welfare should be in the hands of churches and nonprofit organizations, rather than the government, mirrors the conclusions of the country’s founders, who implied that one’s needs should be provided for by one’s own labor or the support of one’s family. Only in circumstances that pose an immediate threat to life – such as the death of a parent, disability or unemployment – should government provide.

Government was to be a safety net of last resort if the family could not help. In other words, governance as planned by the founders has nothing in common with today’s welfare state.

Don’t mock poor

I was amused by the “pat me on the back” letter “No welfare” in the Sunday Eagle. My father was the pastor of an African Methodist Episcopal church, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom who took care of four sons. Both parents worked so we would have a good life. We didn’t know of welfare. We just went to school dressed like all the other kids in Arkansas City.

We worked after school. However, our parents demanded we give to the church and to organizations to help the needy. We didn’t like it, and wondered why we should give to help someone we didn’t know. Dad said, “You may be one of those in need someday.” From that day forth, I have made an attempt to give.

Giving of self should not be something one holds up for all to see. Neither should people be so greedy that they think they are accountable only to themselves. To mock those in need is unwise.

The Lord does give; the Lord can take it all away.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on welfare, mocking poor."