Sense of Community vs. Sense of Government

A conversation I had today brought to mind the things that we do for relief. At one time, churches and religious organizations were allowed to provide well for their constituents, by allowing the pastor or leader to have a home provided to them, as well as food and other care by the community. Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, and Pastors were all welcome in the community that needed them. Communities hurting for public servants will provide for them, and today, even, you see "community policing" where police officers are offered a home at no interest if they will locate in certain neighborhoods.

Many of our public servants are expected to provide extra to the community in terms of taxes (their barter is taxed), and extra insurance, along with the inevitable extra time that social service requires.

How can we do this? Expect the Doctor or Nurse, Police officer, Pastor (you fill in the blank) to put in 120 hours a week, and pay the community for the effort they put in?

Something is wrong with this picture.

At one time, we took care of our public servants, and they took care of the poorest in our communities. They spent the hours, and we spent the effort to make sure they were comfortable.

Now we put our public servants through the wringer, and coddle the poorest of our community with the money we once paid our public servants to care.

Is it any wonder our emergency rooms, missions, mental hospitals and prisons are full to the brim?

Is it any wonder we have lost our way?

It is time to redirect our energies. It is time to realize that taking care of relief means giving those who can the means to do. Those who can listen, give and care - need the means of action.

To some extent, this is a clarification of my feeling that the social worker would rather say "yes, I can help" than push a thousand pieces of paper across a desk all day, and say "No, you don't qualify until you reach a certain level of bottom of the barrel."

Our public servants need to be thanked. Not just personally, but collectively. A community needs to say "Here is your home."

"Here is your meal."

Saying "Here is our money, and you can pay taxes, too," opens up a whole new world. It becomes easy to say,

"I hired you. You have to do what I say. You have to work for the money I pay. If you don't do the job right, I'll take you to court and take your money away. I'll fire you. I'll..."

Tell me that's not true. Tell me parents don't go to their child's teacher and demand their precious little one pass to the next grade, even though it might be better for the child to learn. Tell me that pastors and doctors and social workers aren't overburdened with the demand to prove their worth.

You can't.

You know I'm telling the truth.

Demand that we start doing things right. Get the insurance companies out of the people business, and let them insure things. Let people be people. Let those who make human error be held harmless, and let those who would harm a community be held responsible.

Expect the best, and respect the best.

Ishmael

President Obama has opened a serious discussion. If you have read my missives on Relief, you know that no one should be deemed homeless in God's universe. I believe God promised Abraham his descendents would have the promise of filling the world. Extremism is not an option.

People are the same the world over. Desperation, hunger, lack of respect and lack of purpose are the evils that cause extremist views. Give that which lifts up a man, and he will avoid the promises of those who would use people to hurt others. Wars, other than those which seek freedom of the oppressed, will cease.

I believe a homeland needs to be carved out for the Palestinian people, but they should not expect Israel. Just as Israel was promised to Jacob, so a world was promised to Ishmael (Genesis 17:18-22). God promised Abraham his descendants would be as the stars of the sky and the sands - and my take on the above verse, (even though it says "nation," it also says "12 rulers") is that the opportunities of the world would be open to Ishmael, should his descendants choose to (PEACEFULLY) take advantage of God's promise. We are all children of Abraham. A nation should be carved out -(named Ishmael, if necessary) and give the Palestinians a homeland. Join together and build a far better homeland than that they were forced to leave.

Do not let anyone believe that fighting is an answer. Science has proved God, so let science and the edicts of relief prove our action. The energy of the universe, The energy of God, the ability of God's people to achieve results, will prevail. Let us recognize the power of energy in our world, and make it happen.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

We the People

Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness - Inalienable rights.

So, our leaders insist on throwing money at the economy.

What do you need? What does anyone need?

Food, Water, A place to sleep, Utilities, Transportation, Communication, Health...

Things that, as a small community, people took care of. Even for the neighbors who couldn't.

Why, now, that we are a worldwide community,do so many go without?

Why can't we,

$50 for food, for each person, each week?
Free water?
600 square feet of home, untaxed, unable to be taken?
Basic Utilities, heat, electric, a/c?
Basic Transportation?
Landline communication?
Basic Health?

What would it do?

As a community, we would save money. Everywhere.
As a community, we would be at peace, and without stress. Everywhere.

We wouldn't worry about crimes committed in desperation. Those who steal or murder because they feel it is their last hope.

The only crimes would be those for whom the care of the community isn't good enough.

There are always those.

Let taxes of 50-60% start AFTER the basics. We pay that, anyway. Add it all up, folks... Take care of the basics, then build.

How many people find themselves in desperation, not able to pay for health care?
The choice between medicine, and food?
The choice between home, and work?
How to get to work, when there is no transportation?
How to remember an appointment, even though they'll call to remind you, when there is no phone?

How much time do our social workers spend saying "no" "NO, I'm not allowed to do it that way!
Quit your job. Then, I'll help. Get too sick, then I'll help! Be unable, then I'll help!"

"Be less than your best..."

What an awful thing to say.

Let those who can, be the best they can. Let them work to their hearts content, without saying, "If you make too much money, you don't qualify for help."
And those who REALLY can't... let them feel they can.

Don't give me money. I'll just spend it, and pay taxes back to you. Give us real relief.