Care for poor should
reflect early practices
Arkansas's revision of its Medicaid to include a work requirement has stirred debate. In these times it is an excellent idea to reflect upon how the Founders addressed poverty and welfare. What principles undergirded their laws? How has it historically been addressed?
Government welfare has existed throughout American history. Contrary to what some liberals and conservatives think, the government neither completely ignored the helpless nor was charity entirely privately funded. The New Deal and Great Society programs drastically changed how the government addressed poverty, and in the process changed how many Americans think about the issue.
For the Founders, there was a key distinction, between the deserving and undeserving poor. The able-bodied male or female was expected to work for his maintenance. Secondly, government assistance was kept local rather than at the state or national level. Third, the safety net provided the minimum necessary for living, not enough for idleness. Fourth, the primary way Americans rose from poverty was through hard work and the economic freedom provided by capitalism.
The current welfare state is massive and largely ineffective, wanting improvement. An excellent start would be a return to the principles and practices of the Founders. This should lead to local control and a standard of helping the unfortunate get back on their feet, not the limitless expansion of the system, along with a recognition of the dignity of work and the benefits of capitalism.
Zachary Rogers
Bella Vista
Tax payment to county
gets a little complicated
If you plan to pay your real estate taxes at the Benton County Administration Building, be prepared to be met by two armed, aggressive guards inside the door who will require you to empty your pockets, strip off your belt and pass through a metal detector. When I commented that I had to pay my taxes but I didn't expect to be stripped of clothing as well, a short stocky guard got red in the face and demanded, "Raise your arms!" and proceeded to get in my face and wave a device around. When I said WTF he got even redder in the face and told me I couldn't say that in his presence and to keep my words to myself. I told him to keep his anger to himself. As I paid my taxes, I asked the pleasant lady how long the Gestapo had been at the door. She lowered her voice slightly and said "about three weeks now."
As I left the building, Mr. Red Face followed me out into the parking lot, got in my face again, and asked "what the hell" I was doing there. I said I was done with him and as a supposed public servant he shouldn't be swearing at me in the parking lot. He said "hell is just a place" and I said "[expletive] is just an action." Then he said I didn't need to come there because there were other ways I could pay my taxes. I told him as long as he was there I would definitely find another way to pay them in the future.
Now I understand that policemen are not particularly well paid and some like Mr. Red Face will find ways to compensate, but I would suggest that officers who deal daily and closely with the public should be trained to be less combative, less bullying and to not follow citizens out of the building to confront them for no good reason. There was more I thought of saying to this angry man, but I did not want to get shot in anger. too.
Phil Warner
Garfield
Commentary on 10/17/2018