"We don't need social programs because we have charities and churches"

[ck4829]

By now, we have all heard this conservative argument made on everything ranging from healthcare reform to welfare.

So, how is that coming along? How are charities and the churches helping the poor?

Oh right... One of the groups that actually does help the poor, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, is being told by the Vatican that it needs to make abortion and fighting Teh Gay it's central priorities instead.

So next time a conservative says this, ask them if they support the LCWR.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/19/nation/la-na-vatican-nuns-20120420

[RC]

1. Churches do charity work because they can write it off on their taxes.

No, wait, they can't. Also churches have a bad habit of being picky of those they help. Often times, conversion is necessary first.

[font size="4"]Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America:[/font size]
We The People "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Section 8.
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and PROVIDE FOR THE common defense and GENERAL WELFARE of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;..."

Twice in our Constitution it mentions "general welfare" What constitutes 'General Welfare'? Does this not cover anything the government does to help its citizens live a better life? To ensure that all citizens have access to the basic necessities of life. Food, shelter and health care.

I really do wish Congress would pass a law reinstating the Constitution as the law of the land.

[Angry Dragon]

3. +17,922

I really like your last sentence

[Roselma]

2. The nuns seem to have rejected that concept:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/04/21/u-s-nun-group-rejects-vatican-condemnation/

[jwirr]

4. And most legitimate charities and churches are prompt to point out that they do not have the

resources to handle what is happening today even as they did not have them to help in the Great Depression. This is too big for either the private or the public programs to back out - we need both. And I am one of the poor who needs help - I know that many of the private charities (including churches) suppliment what help we can get from the government. Only a fool would want to get rid of either.