Where Is the Love?

[n2doc]

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

When I’ve written recently about food stamp recipients, the uninsured and prison inmates, I’ve had plenty of pushback from readers.

A reader named Keith reflected a coruscating chorus when he protested: “If kids are going hungry, it is because of the parents not upholding their responsibilities.”

A reader in Washington bluntly suggested taking children from parents and putting them in orphanages.

Jim asked: “Why should I have to subsidize someone else’s child? How about personal responsibility? If you procreate, you provide.”

more
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/opinion/kristof-where-is-the-love.html?smid=re-share

[Th1onein]

1. Great piece.

[Stuart G]

2. k & r thanks for posting..... nt

[Moliere]

3. It accurately describes...

... the rotten core of republican/right wing ideology.

[CrispyQ]

4. "And compassion isn’t a sign of weakness, but a mark of civilization."

Such scorn seems widespread, based on the comments I get on my blog and Facebook page — as well as on polling and on government policy. At root, these attitudes reflect a profound lack of empathy.

There was a thread a few weeks ago about how kindness is viewed as a weakness in our culture. I don't recall bullying & general bad behavior being so prevalent when I was young. But then, we didn't have shows like Jerry Springer, where people watched other people behaving badly, for entertainment.

[bemildred]

5. "Fuck you Jack, I've got mine." That's their idea of "personal responsibility".

Every man for himself and devil take the hindmost.

I do wonder who that other moron thinks pays for orphanages, and does he really think that's going to be cheaper for him?

[bluedeathray]

6. I'll tell you why...

It's because many (most?) Americans have been reduced to scraping for subsistence. Political philosophy, and the "Golden Rule" have little to do with day to day existence when your mortgage is behind. When your company announces layoffs. And when your family is sick.

I'm not talking about the wisdom or level of enlightenment required to see the advantage in team effort. Or the morality of the sense of humanity needed to care about others around you.

Those with neither the mental capacity for abstract/extended thought, nor the ability to see beyond the bill of goods they've been sold through American advertising, are trying to make it in a bad situation.

While slanted media outlets point to an ideologically based collection of bullshit to make enlightenment an even more remote possibility.

I'm up for solutions, but the self-aimed gun at the head of many of what used to be the middle class of America, is firmly pointed, and blindly cocked.