[Cicero]

Sometimes I find the laissez-faire arguments a little cold. But I'm inclined to agree that it's better to do charitable work through churches and voluntary organizations. Someone has to help people who are genuinely in trouble, widows and orphans, the sick and the old. I suppose no system is perfect. I was a little troubled by that part of the article too, but the critique of Marxism is right on.

[thucydides]

One of the problems with the welfare state is that it has simply pre-empted much private activity. We all think of groups like Elk's Clubs, Mechanic's Clubs, and the like as purely social, but at one time they were private beneficial associations where workers provided for their own unemployment, health, and survivors insurance. They worked well, because there wasn't the moral hazard associated with welfare - workers knew who was needy among themselves, and no worker would think of cheating on his friends. No goldbricking would be tolerated, and people in trouble would get help and pressure to straighten themselves out, where needed. This sort of thing survives here and there, for example, among the Mormons. However, the use of the state to address welfare issues has enabled politicians to create huge patronage operations, reaping political contributions and support, and allowing the average citizen to shrug off any sense of obligation to help others - why bother when you can leave it to government?