As a result of the new federal budget our streets will soon be filled with hungry, sick and unhoused people. If things go the way they have in the past, our institutions of care will be overburdened and the ensuing disorder will be left to the police. In other words, we as a society will have the choice of whether to care for the dispossessed or to criminalize them.
Because of the iniquitous distribution of wealth and the iniquitous distribution of the tax burden, we have not done a great job of attending to those in need. It’s unfair that billionaires pay no taxes and they are isolated from the consequences of their stinginess. It’s unfair that the bulk of the costs of maintaining our social infrastructure should fall on the middle class so that the vast hoards of obscene wealth can be protected. But that’s where we are.
A substantial portion of our affluent community could afford to give up to say $10,000 without seriously impacting their financial condition. One thousand such contributions amounts to $10 million, and that might be enough to start to build an infrastructure to deal with the impending need. You can rightly say that this is what the government should be doing, but it has proven to be incapable.
The founders of our republic risked and often lost their fortunes in the cause of establishing an enlightened society. We don’t know what sacrifices we will be called on or impelled to make as this totalitarian regime takes hold. Now we still have an opportunity to make a stand for compassion. You can reach me for comment at CareInsteadOfCriminialize.org.
Seth Wilpan
Florence