As the federal government cuts funds and closes programs, the various private organizations dedicated to helping the poor, children, homeless and drug addicted are going to need more help from more private citizens.
That's why an advertising campaign sponsored by a group of conservatives in Washington, D.C., is urging Americans to help take up some of the slack that will be created by welfare reform.What a good idea. During pioneer times and as this country expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries, helping out your neighbor and taking care of your family was just part of life. It was how people survived.
During the 20th century, however, many Americans have embraced an unfortunate new philosophy - that government should provide the safety net often needed for survival. It hasn't always worked as well as the old pioneer way of life.
Government programs can and should continue to help the working poor, children, the elderly and disabled. But when it comes to such problems as drug addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness, government programs have often been ineffective. That's where private organizations, directed by people who are involved daily, can and should come in.
There is no way to return to the simpler pioneer era. The population is too large, society is too complicated, and modern life is too impersonal for neighborliness to solve all the problems. But budget-cutting mandates a shift to a more balanced approach. More Americans simply must consider volunteer work not just a desirable option but a definite necessity.