2016 Voter's Guide: Should the Government Do Works of Charity?

     It was a small, compassionate proposal.  Texas had experienced a long and extensive drought that had resulted in crop failure.  People were really suffering distress and destitution.  As a result, congress put forth a bill to spend $40,000 to help buy seed for the farmers for the next year.  The Bill (#10308, Distribution of Seeds for Texas farmers) was vetoed by the president!
     What insane kind of reasoning could have possessed Grover Cleveland?  Luckily, we have the text of his veto which always gave the reasoning for his decisions.  In the decision, he admitted that the need was real and the proposal would effectively alleviate the distress.  So, why did he choose not "to indulge a benevolent and charitable sentiment" by appropriating the funds?
     Try to follow his reasoning:

• It was not the duty of the government nor within the jurisdiction of its power.  There is a prevailing tendency, he wrote, to disregard the limited power of government and he felt it his duty to stand against it.  "The people support the government, the government should not support the people."

• Individuals, churches, and civic organizations could be relied upon to answer the distress.  "Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character,"  he wrote.  "It prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthen the bonds of a common brotherhood."  

     Is it possible that we have not grown together into a common brotherhood because government has become our parent?  States, localities, and schools all gather at the public trough to compete for free money.  No one develops a self-sacrificial character.  Instead, we all are greedy for our fair share of the economic pie.
     It is time for us to ask ourselves some serious questions about sacrifice and charity.  This fall, vote for the person who recognizes the need to support a sturdy American character.