Opinion> Bill Oreilly> Keep Christ In Unemployment

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Keep Christ in Unemployment

Tis the season to be jolly, but you can forget about that in political circles. The current angst about the economy and taxes is so intense that even Santa's reindeers are spooked. Speaking the other day on a cable news program, liberal Congressman Jim McDermott put it this way: "This is Christmastime. We talk about Good Samaritans, the poor, the little baby Jesus in the cradle and all this stuff. And then we say to the unemployed we won't give you a check to feed your family. That's simply wrong."

As I wrote in this space a couple of weeks ago, the liberal agenda in America is expanding and now includes demands for guaranteed jobs at good wages for all who want to work. Unemployment benefits were extended again this year, and if the Obama tax compromise is passed, $150 billion more will be added to the deficit. Adding it all up, the total debt of the United States will soon exceed $14 trillion.

By invoking the baby Jesus, McDermott puts an important question in play: What does a moral society owe to the have-nots? How much public money should go to those in financial trouble?

Many liberals believe there should not be any limits. Just this week, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency because his state is bankrupt. The liberal legislature in Sacramento has spent so much money on entitlements for the poor and state union workers that it owes an astounding $158 billion.

If the wild spending continues on the federal level, the entire country will be adversely affected.

Right now, the financial future of most Americans hinges on the dollar retaining its dominant position in the world. But if our currency collapses under unpaid debts, so will personal assets.

There comes a time when compassion can cause disaster. If you open your home to scores of homeless folks, you will not have a home for long. There is a capacity problem for every noble intent.

America remains the land of opportunity, but you have to work for it. The unemployment rate for college graduates is 5 percent. For high-school dropouts, it is 16 percent. Personal responsibility is usually the driving force behind success. But there are millions of Americans who are not responsible, and the cold truth is that the rest of us cannot afford to support them.

Every fair-minded person should support government safety nets for people who need assistance through no fault of their own. But guys like McDermott don't make distinctions like that. For them, the baby Jesus wants us to "provide" no matter what the circumstance. But being a Christian, I know that while Jesus promoted charity at the highest level, he was not self-destructive.

The Lord helps those who help themselves. Does he not?

Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the book "Who's Looking Out For You?" To find out more about Bill O'Reilly, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. This column originates on the Web site www.billoreilly.com.

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Comments

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I would like Bill O'Reilly to know that as a director of a child care center, I have issue with the demonizing of the liberal agenda by its demand for good wages for all who want to work and thinking that we all are demanding a guarantee of our jobs(I am a union member). I am a moderate in my political leanings because of the wage issue in my industry, and my lack of respect for corporate decision policies (it has no heart or honor). I work with very qualified staff and industry peers who are very underpaid and overworked. I service families that are also very unemployed , underpaid and overworked. None of us are demanding anything, but hope and advocate for a liveable wage which we do not come close to at this time. I provide scholarships for the infant through pre-kindergarten age for those families who will make do with whatever jobs at any wage level the community provides, who are training to get jobs so they can provide for their families, or for children in severe poverty situations.
I face the homeless outside my door in a very wealthy community and see the mentally ill come for assistance everyday at our church facility. I hear from those who cannot fit the government's criteria but need help. You sound very uncharitable when you judge a every human being based on their worthiness as "people who need assitance through no fault of their own." I like McDermott because he does not water down the needs by making the distinction. Do not worry because all of my clients and my center are audited constantly by the government to make sure we meet their criteria. Our clients have to justify the need for every dollar they receive so it is not free to either of us.
I read your autobiography and wished my childhood had been as blessed.

Comment: #1
Posted by: Barbara Malloy
Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:04 AM