Welfare Reform and Antipoverty Programs

"The year 1996 saw the highly contested passage of national welfare reform legislation.  This legislation ended any federal entitlement to income support for the poor.  The late 1990s saw a booming economy that softened the predicted massive increase in human suffering due to this national policy change. However, tougher economic conditions since late 2000 have begun to tell a different story.  Further, it must be remembered that ending welfare does not constitute an antipoverty program.  The best state efforts in this area, such as those in Wisconsin under former Governor Tommy Thompson, have mixed welfare reform with aggressive job training, child care, transportation and other efforts needed to move people from welfare to work.  Such efforts cost money, sometimes more money than welfare did.  Whites, including most white Christians, are not known for their aggressive advocacy of government spending on such initiatives.  Quite the contrary––the majority tend to oppose such spending.  Black Christians notice this."   Stassen/Gushee Kingdom Ethics; IVP (emphasis mine)

Kirk: In short, we as Christians in particular like to say that the church is "better-suited" than the government to administer to the needs of the poor––a disproportionate portion of us are white, and most of them are black or Latino (statistically speaking).  We do it though––again this is not me talking what I think, it's what I personally have observed in my all-too-short time spent with the poor in my neighborhood––through a de facto "merit" system where we divide the poor into those who are "deserving" and those who aren't.  

Jesus made no such distinction.  He was notorious for being with the very ones who did not deserve his mercy.   Prostitutes––not former but current ones.  Swindlers––not alleged, but confirmed.  This, among other things, made Him seem to stand contrary to the religious leaders of His day.  Imagine that, He wasn't afraid to take a stance construed to be "leftist."  

As long as we blindly and sometimes self-righteously wave the banner of "small government" in the face of such monumental need in the real lives of the poor, we are missing the forest for the trees––and we are missing our HUGE opportunity to live out the Gospel in a way that perhaps may go against our next door neighbor's politics...by attacking the systems in place that afflict and oppress poor people.  BTW, this we can do and still carry out our faith-based programs.

As for the poor (too many of whom are minorities), they will no doubt continue to suffer.  And we will continue not to notice it because we have insulated ourselves conveniently 10 to 20 miles away from where they are.  And further, we have convinced ourselves (whether or not we'll admit it––I'm as guilty as you may be) that they deserve to be where they are because of their "choices."  

PS. I have been accused lately by some nice folks who have been kind enough to share their views (many in opposition to these musings) of not being willing to "engage" them on these issues.  Please know that if I did that, it would surely be at the expense of the things to which I am surely called; such as completing seminary, practicing my instrument, etc. Please accept these musings in the spirit in which I offer them when I have time to do so: as "opinions to inspire your valued responses."  And I do read the responses with much attention and gratitude! 

God bless you, Kirk

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