DAVE ROSS

Would Jesus vote for unemployment benefits?

Jan 8, 2014, 7:40 AM | Updated: 10:09 am

What would Jesus do? (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

There are some people who argue that even if Congress can find the money, it’s time to cut unemployment benefits.

Chris Edwards of the libertarian Cato Institute says workers need to plan ahead, “When they have jobs they need to save money, they need to build up their own personal funds, they even have to perhaps move to different states, like Texas that are growing more rapidly.”

That may sound unsympathetic, or even un-Christian. But there’s a line of thought that says these benefits hurt more than they help.

In a speech a few months ago, a rather prominent Christian, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, said we’d all be better off if needy people relied on charity, not government.

“Christ’s special love for the poor is a special quality that they possess in abundance: meekness. It is humbling to be an object of charity. The transformation of charity to legal entitlement has produced donors without love and recipients without gratitude.”

Of course, the most famous example of charity in the New Testament is the Good Samaritan, but unfortunately the story doesn’t tell us what eventually happened to the man he helped.

I would only say that if Congress ever does decide to move to the charity model, we would all do well to follow the suggestion to keep plenty of savings on hand.

And failing that, to cultivate close friends who are rich, or failing that, move to a place with a lot of Samaritans.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

30 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

Would Jesus vote for unemployment benefits?