Difference between Rs and Ds on charity in 4 lines

The striking difference between Republicans and Democrats (or conservatives and liberals, if you prefer) when it comes to charity was on display last night in the Vice Presidential debate between V.P. Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan.

As the discussion on unemployment, jobs and the economy progressed, Biden brought up the 47% comment Romney made at a fundraising event.

In response, Ryan tells a touching story about Mitt Romney designed to show Romney's compassion, kindness and how he lives the principles of his faith in caring for others. It is also a perfect set-up for Ryan's zinger on the 47% comment.

Here is the transcript:

RYAN: He talks about Detroit. Mitt Romney’s a car guy. They keep misquoting him, but let me tell you about the Mitt Romney I know. This is a guy who I was talking to a family in Northbourough, Massachusetts the other day, Sheryl and Mark Nixon. Their kids were hit in a car crash, four of them. Two of them, Rob and Reed, were paralyzed. The Romneys didn’t know them. They went to the same church; they never met before.

Mitt asked if he could come over on Christmas. He brought his boys, his wife, and gifts. Later on, he said, “I know you’re struggling, Mark. Don’t worry about their college. I’ll pay for it.”

When Mark told me this story, because, you know what, Mitt Romney doesn’t tell these stories. The Nixons told this story. When he told me this story, he said it wasn’t the help, the cash help. It’s that he gave his time, and he has consistently.

This is a man who gave 30% of his income to charity, more than the two of us combined. Mitt Romney’s a good man. He cares about 100% of Americans in this country. And with respect to that quote, I think the vice president very well knows that sometimes the words don’t come out of your mouth the right way.

(LAUGHTER)

Biden's response:

BIDEN: The idea — if you heard that — that little soliloquy on 47% and you think he just made a mistake, then I think you’re — I — I think — I got a bridge to sell you.

Look, I don’t doubt his personal generosity. And I understand what it’s like. When I was a little younger than the congressman, my wife was in an accident, killed my daughter and my wife, and my two sons survived. I have sat in the homes of many people who’ve gone through what I get through, because the one thing you can give people solace is to know if they know you’ve been through it, that they can make it. So I don’t doubt his personal commitment to individuals. But you know what? I know he had no commitment to the automobile industry. He just — he said, let it go bankrupt, period. Let it drop out. All this talk — we saved a million jobs. Two hundred thousand people are working today.

And I’ve never met two guys who’re more down on America across the board. We’re told everything’s going bad. There are 5.2 million new jobs, private-sector jobs. We need more, but 5.2 million — if they’d get out of the way, if they’d get out of the way and let us pass the tax cut for the middle class, make it permanent, if they get out of the way and pass the — pass the jobs bill, if they get out of the way and let us allow 14 million people who are struggling to stay in their homes because their mortgages are upside down, but they never missed a mortgage payment, just get out of the way.

Stop talking about how you care about people. Show me something. Show me a policy. Show me a policy where you take responsibility.

There was some more and GM did go bankrupt, but never mind that fact...

It is the last four sentences that really struck me and it perfectly epitomizes the difference between the parties and their two philosophical positions.

Stop talking about how you care about people. Show me something. Show me a policy. Show me a policy where you take responsibility.

Biden thinks that charity should be a government policy.

He also thinks charity should be seen, preferably in a law or bill.

He obviously believes that something you do individually should be transported into government doing it too - or instead. He seems to be saying that unless you make your personal commitment to charity (or caring for others) into a government policy, it doesn't mean anything.

He's completely wrong, but too many people seem to agree with him.

As I always say when people challenge me and others on government charity, in my Christian faith, Jesus commanded each of us to care for the poor. He didn't tell us to pay taxes so the government could care for the poor instead. He gave the instruction to us as individuals.

And He certainly didn't tell us to force other people to be charitable, which is what results when such thinkers impose taxes on all to pay for the charity they personally believe is needed or desired.

Additionally, Jesus teaches us that our charity is not something to be done in public and bragged about. In Matthew 6: 1-4 He says:

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

This is exactly opposite of what politicians do. They take our money and then brag about all the 'good' they're doing and all the help they're giving to the poor, underserved and needy.

That's not charity.

And people who believe the Democratic position - or advocate it, as some preachers today are doing - are not only abdicating their obligation to care for others, they're expecting you to do the same.

I don't believe God is pleased by this.