Replacing Leviathan

http://blog.aarp.org/2014/07/08/tell-congress-protect-seniors-from-hunge...

This is the first in a 3-part series to outline the importance of programs funded by the OAA –such as Meals On Wheels –to the dignity of seniors across America. Please read, share and tell Congress to take action and not play political games with seniors’ health and well-being.

This FedGov law funds local Meals on Wheels programs. By the political structure I wish we lived under, it would have never been under Federal jurisdiction. But we can’t act on the world as we wish it was.

Having direct personal experience with my local MoW (Eastside Meals on Wheels), I’ve seen the program is useful and effective, with even some "public" purpose. Enabling people to stay in their homes has a cascade of benefits to neighborhoods and municipalities.

To just beat a drum about too much taxation and a massive Federal Government does not help a lick with the personal and local problems a Meals on Wheels program addresses. Simply cutting off the help on principle is not a great moral victory. And is a big loser in the rhetoric that actually wins votes.

So…what’s the practical pragmatic response? Do we look past principle for certain welfare or "charity" laws? Do we tough it out and tell people to find their own meals?

I say we have to rebuild our local and state charities, so that good programs no longer need FedGov funding. That takes personal direct action, to give and to volunteer. And for a while, we will be taxed to provide what we are also giving. But the people need help, and if we don’t like how it is being provided now, don’t we have an obligation to be part of the replacement system? Let’s re-create the morally superior safety net of private charity.