by Henry Piarrot

Created on: July 18, 2009   Last Updated: July 19, 2009

For Neighbors by Neighbors

Almsgiving (the act of voluntary giving) tends to perpetuate poverty; aid does away with it once and for all. Almsgiving leaves a man just where he was before. Aid restores him to society as an individual worthy of all respect and not as a man with a grievance. Almsgiving is the generosity of the rich; social aid levels up social inequalities. Charity separates the rich from the poor; aid raises the needy and sets him on the same level with the rich. Former First Lady of Argentina , Eva Peron

The above is one of the most outrageous statements I have read in my lifetime. Still, our national government has now embraced the same flawed position on charity as the long ago overthrown Argentinean president, Juan Peron and his wife. The reason social aid levels up social inequities, is because government forcibly takes the earnings from the rich, meaning anyone with gainful employment and gives what has been confiscated to those the bureaucracy must control in order to exist. The leveling is not achieved by lifting anyone up; it is actually done by lowering the living standards of everyone else.

Consequently, the big picture portrays an ominous world view that government should provide for all of our needs, and the speed in which the current administration is pursuing this principle is remarkable. Depending on your world view, you should be very pleased or very frightened.

Within his 2010 budget, President Obama limits the value of the tax break for itemized charitable donations to 28% for families making more than $250,000. In 2011, these usually generous taxpayers will save 7% less on their federal income taxes for each dollar bequeathed. Many charities believe this policy will reduce their fund raising by as much as 20%. America has always been a giving country and the President's proposal would certainly penalize generosity.

However, this is not a matter of politics for the abused children, battered women and homeless families the 25 local agencies supported by the United Way of Sevier County has been helping since 1985. Most of the people they serve have never even heard of Eva Peron. All they know is they are hungry, beaten, bruised, abandoned and alone. Regardless if we are politically pleased or frightened, they are our neighbors and they need our help.

Natasha Wesley, office manager and Elaina DeLozier, marketing manager for The United Way of Sevier County are currently organizing the annual fund raising campaign that will help support the local agencies who have applied for United Way assistance. All of the money raised in Sevier County stays in Sevier County so we do not have to beg a bureaucrat for what we can do for ourselves. East Tennesseans have long known the difference between a hand out and a hand up.

Recently, the President casually explained to reporters that even if the charities do take a hit, the increase in government programs will make up the difference. I can not know how you feel, but I question what effect federal control will have on The Boy Scouts, The Boys & Girls Club and The Smoky Mountain Children's Home. Will it actually benefit Goodwill Industries, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, The Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, or the battered women at Safe Space?

Just about anyone who has ever asked the government for anything already knows that long before the paperwork rounds the bureaucracy, the United Way's partners are already on the job finding food, shelter, clothing and sanctuary for neighbors by neighbors.

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