Too Much Compassion

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Compassion is a good thing. As individuals we are to be compassionate. We are even supposed to show compassion to our enemies. In The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, Gavin Macleod's character responds in the movie to a group of kids when they complain a bully is taking their pizza. He instructs them to next time offer the bully two pieces.

When compassion becomes something offered through the means of government, and is set up on a permanent basis, it is no longer compassion. Government compassion is destructive to whatever society it is being applied to, especially when it is offered permanently. Without limits, a class of dependency forms, and the desire to be self-sufficient is destroyed.

After the earthquake in Haiti, aid poured in from around the world for the poverty stricken nation during its time of need. The compassion was warranted, and I am sure it was much appreciated by the local population. But continued aid, without specific limitations, is becoming a burden to Haiti. The populace is becoming dependent upon the aid, and persons that were unaffected by the earthquake are travelling to the stricken zone to receive "free" aid as well.

Our aid to Haiti must have a limit. Our compassion should be a hand up, and then once Haiti is on its feet, we must withdraw. Failure to limit the aid is creating more harm than good, and Haiti's already poor population is now becoming yet another group of citizens dependent upon the American taxpayer for a bunch of handouts.

Criticism for my attitude regarding this issue is duly noted, and I truly do not desire Haiti to sink. But, if Haiti does collapse after aid is withdrawn, it is nobody's fault but Haiti's. It is not the U.S. taxpayer's responsibility to ensure the people of Haiti are self-reliant. They must make that decision themselves. Their survival is a direct result of their choices, and if they choose to fail, that is their choice, and we should not assist in their collapse by becoming an enabling variable by continuing to pour more and more aid into the nation.

If the aid continues, the population of Haiti will begin to believe it is entitled to the assistance, and they will ultimately completely set aside their responsibility to take care of themselves, much like the welfare-addicts of America have become.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary