Reply To: Government programs are not tzedakah

gavra_at_work,

Avram in MD – Sure I was over the top, but many republicans (like those who would vote for Trump) would completely agree with what I said. That perspective is alive and well in the US, even if not correct.

I thought we were talking about the government’s perspective, not a segment of Republican leaning voters.

And:

One of the expedients of Party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions & aims of other Districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies & heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations. They tend to render Alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal Affection.

…

It serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill founded Jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot & insurrection.

–George Washington