And just who, are our brothers (and sisters) keepers?

"When it comes to feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, ameliorating the hurt in the hurting, the government is a poor vessel for us to use. We have plenty of resources, plenty of money, plenty of food to share. Like I said before, Americans are a generous people."

Here we are. Getting close to a month of another government shutdown. Who is to blame? We are - the citizens. Why? We allow this to happen. Government shutdowns should be illegal and impossible. But they are not. The net result? Innocent people, who had NOTHING to do with this standoff - suffer. Why? We have the wrong people being the keepers of our brothers and sisters in need. Government, federal, state or local, is loaded with inefficiencies, graft, and theft. Government funds are being administered by many who do not give a hoot nor a holler. Many are NOT good stewards of our tax dollars.

The question begs to be asked, if not the government, which is highly disorganized and inefficient, then who among us will be our brothers and sisters keepers. Truthfully - it has been my experience to see the faith-based organizations such as Samaritan's Purse stand in the gap. I have been involved with local churches who have done food drives for local needs who have done wonders. Union Gospel Mission in the Twin Cities works miracles with stretching every dollar donated. I could go on and on, but I think I have made my point. 

Americans are a generous people. Always have been. But when we hand over the keys to charity to the government, we invite in trouble. Even with our foreign aid, when looked at it closely, many dollars are spend on rubbish and not real needs. Why? Politics. Once politics becomes the standard bearer in how tax dollars are spent, many real needs go unmet. 

When my wife and I received training for how to work with the homeless youth in the Twin Cities, one immutable fact really stuck with me. People don't set out to become homeless or hungry. Some make poor choices; others have an unexpected life circumstance change the trajectory of their path. It is true that some "game the system". But most do not. Many have to humble themselves to ask for help. 

When it comes to feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, ameliorating the hurt in the hurting, the government is a poor vessel for us to use. We have plenty of resources, plenty of money, plenty of food to share. Like I said before, Americans are a generous people.

We just need to get government back to what they do the best - provide for the common defense of the states. Leave the charity up to the proven and reliable charitable organizations.