#7 Barrett – Poverty does not necessarily lead to crime. It depends on the quality of society. Hunger is never a reason for crime, but it does get used as an excuse. Decent people don’t resort to crime.
As for responsible government, the Declaration does say “promote the general welfare”. The thing to understand is that it doesn’t say “ensure the general welfare”. The problem starts when people cease to have any shame or humility when accepting charity. That’s the real danger of the nanny-state. People lose their sense of shame.
The government should help people out in times of crisis, but the help should be minimal. I have no problem with soup-lines. People have to get off their duffs and go to them. They stand publicly in line, then take what they’re given. They shouldn’t get food stamps, which they can later sell off to buy booze.
Poor, hungry children should be fed. It’s not their fault they are poor and hungry. However, it shouldn’t be done in such a manner as to subsidize the parents’ lifestyle. Put the kids into a shelter, until the parents can get their act together. That’ll motivate the parents.
Hunger, shame, deprivation, and other such pain are great motivators. The worst thing the govenment can do is take these things away from people.
