Dialogue on "The Tragedy of American Compassion" PART 6

In 1854 there was legislation being pushed in Congress by a passionate leader, Dorothea Dix.  It would initiate a government run system to build and manage hospitals for the mentally insane. 

It seems like an honorable cause....right?  The bill passed both houses....then it reached the President's desk.  Mr. Pierce, the 14th President of the U.S., took his pen and vetoed the bill.  It died there on his desk.

Wow...that seems cruel and heartless (he must have been a Republican...even if there was no such thing then:)   But consider his remarks.

"If the government is able to take care of the indigent insane...then we are able to take care of the indigent who are not insane."

He was concerned that federal funds would end up substituting for local charity. "Should this bill become a law...the foundations of charity will be dried up at home."

Whether the President was right or not...it seems to be an incredibly long way off from where we are today.

Today it is almost expected from the President...that he will step into the gap...he will open the floodgates of funding...that he will rescue the poor.  In some ways have we Christians relinquished our role of knowing and caring for our neighbor....simply because "I pay my taxes"

I have a very good Swedish friend...and he speaks so highly of the socialist system...but the one glaring criticism..."the people no longer care much for hurting individuals...because that is the care of a government that they just gave 40-50% of their income to so they don't have to care"

A lot has changed with our Presidents in 150 years.  Whether we like it or not...the same values and principles exist "Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor as yourself."