When we are borrowing a Third of our annual budget from enemies like China it's hard to justify charity. It also hard to justify charity with taxpayer $$ when this is not a function given the federal government by the constitution.
It's time for the world church to step up and stop leaning on government!
Out of all the expenditures in the federal budget not authorized by the Constitution, and all the profligate spending on crazy programs, you single out life-saving charity as the place to cut.
I think that the State Department will evaluate and offer support to areas with legitimate need and proper governance of the $$$ given. I am quite willing to give them a bit of time to sort that out. The money going out of USAID was like an open fire hydrant … which had to be shut off completely in order to step back and assess.
And Allen is correct about charity not being a constitutional function of government. Yes, to whom much is given much is required … and our country has been blessed with many resources, so I am not opposed to some acts of generosity … but they need to be done in a way that is thoughtful and responsible … and ultimately aimed at offering a “hand up” rather than a perpetual “hand out” as has happened in some cases.
Cutting programs that keep people alive should be done in a way that is "thoughtful and responsible." There was no need to shut them all down at the start. It is nice that you are "willing to give them a bit of time to sort out" legitimate needs. In the meantime folks are dying.
Thank you for this solid, informative reporting, Mindy. I was so proud of PEPFAR because it reflects my pro-life values. Pro-life policies cost.
Whether it supports life through the US government or the Church, I want my money to fund things like this. With the US government smashing its aid channels, does the American church have the unity and motivation and infrastructure to fill the gaps?
The saving money rather than lives philosophy drifts close to Scrooge and the Malthusian “reduce the surplus population.” Props to the brilliant—and optimistic (faith-filled?)—minds mentioned in your piece who are trying to save lives for less money. May we all have big hearts and big faith.
Thank you for another insightful piece about the state of the world, and our responsibility to step-in and provide much needed assistance. I agree with those comments that reflect that The Church must step-up our involvement. This can be both directly through funding and partnerships, but it should also include calls for our governmental leaders to quickly sort-out which programs are worthy of US support. Among the many USAID programs that rightly should have been cut, PEPFAR is not one of them.
My heart is breaking. Again.
When we are borrowing a Third of our annual budget from enemies like China it's hard to justify charity. It also hard to justify charity with taxpayer $$ when this is not a function given the federal government by the constitution.
It's time for the world church to step up and stop leaning on government!
Out of all the expenditures in the federal budget not authorized by the Constitution, and all the profligate spending on crazy programs, you single out life-saving charity as the place to cut.
I think that the State Department will evaluate and offer support to areas with legitimate need and proper governance of the $$$ given. I am quite willing to give them a bit of time to sort that out. The money going out of USAID was like an open fire hydrant … which had to be shut off completely in order to step back and assess.
And Allen is correct about charity not being a constitutional function of government. Yes, to whom much is given much is required … and our country has been blessed with many resources, so I am not opposed to some acts of generosity … but they need to be done in a way that is thoughtful and responsible … and ultimately aimed at offering a “hand up” rather than a perpetual “hand out” as has happened in some cases.
Cutting programs that keep people alive should be done in a way that is "thoughtful and responsible." There was no need to shut them all down at the start. It is nice that you are "willing to give them a bit of time to sort out" legitimate needs. In the meantime folks are dying.
And you’re okay with the cost of that being people’s lives?
Crying. Thank you. Will be in DC this Saturday protesting these deadly actions and others.
Thank you for this solid, informative reporting, Mindy. I was so proud of PEPFAR because it reflects my pro-life values. Pro-life policies cost.
Whether it supports life through the US government or the Church, I want my money to fund things like this. With the US government smashing its aid channels, does the American church have the unity and motivation and infrastructure to fill the gaps?
The saving money rather than lives philosophy drifts close to Scrooge and the Malthusian “reduce the surplus population.” Props to the brilliant—and optimistic (faith-filled?)—minds mentioned in your piece who are trying to save lives for less money. May we all have big hearts and big faith.
Thank you for another insightful piece about the state of the world, and our responsibility to step-in and provide much needed assistance. I agree with those comments that reflect that The Church must step-up our involvement. This can be both directly through funding and partnerships, but it should also include calls for our governmental leaders to quickly sort-out which programs are worthy of US support. Among the many USAID programs that rightly should have been cut, PEPFAR is not one of them.