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Posts Tagged ‘Lowell E. McCoy’

The following is an article written by Lowell E. McCoy of Arkansas. From time to time we will be including material from brother McCoy, this is (hopefully) just the first installment.

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Entitlements?

An online opinion letter, Feb. 12, written by a man named Ken, expresses a prevailing view of people in our country. It shows how far we have moved from our Constitution and the word of God, as well as experience and common sense.
The pertinent part of the letter is as follows: “There is a nagging question, which is: what good have the tax cuts and small government, which conservatives talk about , done for the majority of Americans; like people who vote? If it has done some good, how has that good progressed to masses of homeless, significant losses in the middle class, the current housing crisis and the current economic crisis? Every citizen of every country, particularly the economic leader of the world, should be entitled to health care, education and affordable housing. That is the reason why you have a society. In order that collective resources, properly managed, can provide the best quality of life those resources can afford. Anything less is unthinkable, unethical and a disgrace. It is also anarchy and a fervent (sic) ground for groups like Al Qaeda.”

There are so many fallacies in this that we can respond to only a few. These are disastrous to all of us, including Ken and his kin. No such society can prosper or even exist indefinitely as a free people. What Ken is saying is pure socialism, diametrically opposed to our capitalistic system.

Tax cuts for those who pay taxes contribute to the well-being of all responsible citizens. They stimulate investment and production. Investments increase capital for more new housing, money for those who need loans for purchasing houses, starting businesses and a host of other things which bolster the economy. Production increases the job market, providing more jobs. Products are produced for sale to produce profits, thus building up a better life for all who are willing to prepare themselves to participate in the process. It is not giving anyone anything, but making it possible for people to take care of themselves. This, in turn, gives people self-respect, a sense of accomplishment and motivation for self-improvement and advancement. Cutting taxes does not involve giving the savings directly to those with less money, but it helps enable them to better take care of themselves and that is the proper result which benefits everyone – all of society. Those who do not get tax cuts ought to be thankful for those who do.

There is one more thing about a high percentage of those who are benefitted by tax cuts or lowering of tax rates. They are able to contribute for benefits to those who cannot work and have legitimate needs. According to statistics, Americans are the most charitable people in the world. So, Ken is very mistaken that tax cuts have not helped him and thousands of others, either directly or indirectly.

All of us who are at least age 80 have seen the beginning and progress of socialism in our country. That means government intervention in the citizens’ personal well-being and responsibilities. It has been tried in nation after nation and is always found wanting. It cannot work because it always stymies personal initiative and sense of accomplishment and engenders dependence on the government. It is a surrendering of more and more freedom for government control.

The fact is, that citizens are not entitled to any personal benefit from our government. Why are only health care, education and affordable housing listed as entitlements? Why not demand allowances for automobiles, food, clothing, utilities, household goods, entertainment, vacation time, personal hygiene items, etc?

The Bible teaches that people are to have personal property and assets of various kinds, obtained by their own initiatives and abilities. The Bible says much in both the Old and New Testaments about helping those who are truly poor and needy. Many people of great faith, in the Bible record, were wealthy and they used it for the Lord (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37). Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and lied about what part they gave to the Lord. Not giving it all was not the problem, but lying about the amount was the problem. Peter explained this in Acts 5:4. Paul says, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4: 28). The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) shows that God expects us to use our money for gain. Paul was speaking of those who would not work and he said, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thes. 3:10, in the context of 6-15).

From years of experience, it is clear that a very high percentage of those Ken calls the homeless do not have to be homeless. They have not prepared themselves to work; messed up their lives with wasted living; wasted money or some other negligence. Tax cuts have no negative effect upon them. Ken and others are very mistaken.

-Lowell E. McCoy