Editorial June 13, 1977 Issue

The Politics of Helping People

Nathan A. Talbot

Regarding what suited her sense of doing good, Mary Baker Eddy quotes the proverb of a Talmudical philosopher, "The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity; and the best alms are to show and to enable a man to dispense with alms."^{Miscellaneous Writings, p ix;}

For centuries a certain measure of care for those in need has been considered a part of the governmental function. An age-old factor of political contention, however, has converged upon these two points: who needs care and what care should be provided.

Sometimes political views tend to reach extreme edges. Nothing should be done for anyone! Everything should be done for everyone! Those who earnestly seek to bring governmental aid to people with needs are sometimes accused of being do-gooders who try to solve every problem by throwing money at it. And those who grow concerned over the loss of individual incentive that may follow large-scale governmental care programs are sometimes regarded as coldhearted and uncaring of their fellowman. Honest people can differ over how to strike a proper balance—one that will enable government to fulfill an appropriate obligation and at the same time enable the individual to retain proper self-respect and an incentive to better himself.

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