December 30, 2004

Fighting a Flood of Fake Charity

David Holcberg's press release from the Ayn Rand Institute makes the case that the U.S. should not help the tsunami victims in Asia.

As the death toll mounts in the areas hit by Sunday's tsunami in southern Asia, private organizations and individuals are scrambling to send out money and goods to help the victims. Such help may be entirely proper, especially considering that most of those affected by this tragedy are suffering through no fault of their own.

The United States government, however, should not give any money to help the tsunami victims. Why? Because the money is not the government's to give.

Note what is not being argued: Holcberg isn't saying that we shouldn't care, or that the victims asked for it or brought it on themselves, or even that there are better things to be done with the money. He is simply arguing that it's not the government's money to dole out.

Posted by Craig Ceely at December 30, 2004 01:36 PM
Comments

How about all the BILLIONS of dollars that the US government is handing over to Israel EVERY year? According to Mr. Holcberg's argument, THAT money is not the US government's money to give either!! So why isn't Mr. Holcberg concerned about all the money the US government is giving to Israel for NO good reason every year? Compared to the billions given to Israel every year, the $350 million in aid given to the tsunami victims once in a lifetime is LESS than small change!!

Posted by: An Noyed at January 1, 2005 07:56 PM

Well, he's not concerned IN THIS EDITORIAl with aid to Israel, because that's not what he's writing about.

Frankly, you're right: according to Mr. Holcberg's very argument, the money given by the US government to Israel every year is NOT theirs to give. I agree with you there.

Holcberg's editorial dealt with one, newsworthy, item. Not with the privatization of Social Security, not with eliminating the personal income tax, not even with abolishing the Department of Education or the Drug Enforcement Administration.

One thing. One. Thing.

Posted by: Craig Ceely at January 1, 2005 09:47 PM