Jer 22:15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest [thyself] in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, [and] then [it was] well with him?Jer 22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then [it was] well [with him: was] not this to know me? saith the LORD.
If "We the people" want to reign, we can't forsake the poor.
And I'm Christian and Southern Baptist. "It is counterproductive for the government to help the poor." Really? I don't buy it. Government has been helping the poor, did people quit helping? You could make the same argument for churches. If churches help the poor will individuals quit? I think that's just an excuse by people who want to shirk their responsibilities.
"Food, shelter, and clothing are “basic necessities.” When did a cell phone become a “basic necessity”?"
1990's? Cell phones are now cheaper and make more sense than a land line. If you want to get a job, it's a necessity. If you have an emergency, it's a necessity. People went without some necessities in the past.
"By your standards the approximately half the population who don't pay any federal income tax must be “poor”"
When did I say that? That's a complete straw man. There's 11 million on the lifeline phone program that's <3% of our population.
"on the issue of "free cell phones" for the "poor" you are already in agreement."
Reagan started the program. But you do smug attitude with the best of the best.
Do you have a clue? Reagan never advocated giving cell phones to the poor. He left office in January of 1989... do you even know what a cell phone from that time period looked like? I do because I still have one. I appreciate you making an effort, but your bible verse also falls short of advocating huge government social programs.
I am puzzled that you think that you would have a lot of allies in these forums who are in favor of big government social programs. And you think that because you advocate for these human spirit killing welfare programs that you are somehow morally superior?
Do you know that people who fall at the poverty line in this country are more wealthy than 85% of the world's population? I have a very hard time understanding where you are coming from and why you are espousing your pro-big-government beliefs here. We have seen what those types of programs have done to cities like Detroit and Chicago. They are absolutely destructive to people everywhere. You are either willfully ignorant or crazy.