The Santa Claus Democrats vs. St. Nicholas’s Aristotelian Generosity
Hardworking American taxpayers (who increasingly have less input in where tax funds go) foot the bill. The taxpayer is told he is Santa Claus, but something seems wrong with the fact that you have to pay a fine or go to jail if you don’t give the federal government what it asks for in taxes. It’s not the Santa Claus that you should believe in.
We don’t sing about Santa Claus being beaten because he had a bleeding heart (although grandma did not fare too well when she got in Rudolph’s way). It’s not that Santa Claus was too generous, but that we have forgotten what generosity truly means.
Aristotle said that generosity is a virtue; gifts are given to the right people, in the right amounts and at the right time. Santa Claus was very virtuous in the classical sense. Take a closer look at the Christmas carols passed along through the ages. Kris Kringle had a twice-checked list of those who were naughty and nice. Santa Claus does not blindly give to anyone who begs him for money; he makes an intelligent decision about where his gift goes. St. Nick gave gifts as a reward to those who did their chores, treated their parents with respect, completed their homework, and saved their allowance. The naughty children receive a lump of a certain natural resource (but Democrats don’t discuss coal, as they seem to be more obsessed with everything green). Perhaps Uncle Sam shouldn’t hand out all the Christmas money in his wallet without really teaching his nieces and nephews that rewards go to them only if they save, use what they are given, and don’t waste.
It is impossible for the government to be (and a bad idea for it to pretend to be) a charity. It’s no longer a charity if you are required to do give money (i.e., pay taxes). Truly serving another person is life-long personal work. That’s why there are social workers who devote their lives to it. Each less fortunate American needs to have continuous moral assistance in addition to financial support. It’s the difference between a one-time gift of a fish and a fishing lesson.
This misconception of the proper role of government and the misguided approach of Democrats are products of our modern culture. Santa Claus has become vastly commercialized, and we’ve lost the reason for the holiday season. We should remember who gives us the gift.
“Give a stick and in turn get beaten.” Wonderful saying. Love the explanation.
“Aristotle said that generosity was a virtue where gifts are given to the right people, in the right amounts and at the right time.”
Democrats would add, “for the right vote.”
I guess that’s why Christianity and the Catholic church was heavily vested in Platonism?
“Truly serving another person is life-long personal work. That’s why there are social workers who devote their lives to it.”
Social Workers are the Priests of Government.
And don’t forget that St Nicholas was also well-known for punching the heretic Arius. The older I get, the more I like that aspect of St Nicholas…
Santa Claus is a Democrat.
Evidence:
1) Works one day a year.
2) Gets credit for gifts paid for by other people.
3) Runs a program that is utterly, willfully blind to all laws of economics.
4) Rather than defend him with rational argument, Santa supporters resort to demonizing those who criticize Santa.
5) Pretends to be working for “All the children”, but in reality, we all know the well connected kids get the best presents, regardless of their behavior.
Give a stick and in turn get beaten. Lie to your children and in turn get lied to. Santa Claus is a lie.
http://www.jochnowitz.net/Essays/NoVirgina.html