The well-being of Americans and corporations results directly from the economic efforts of free men and women. The Founders did not create the federal government to do things for people, corporations or for states; to take from some to give to others. Every individual has the right to the fruits of their own labor and the responsibility to support themselves and their families. Under the US Constitution, the federal government cannot legitimately redistribute the wealth and assume power over people’s lives and dominate mans existence with oppressive taxation, regulations and government controls.
The advent and growth of the welfare state, with its attendant heavy taxation and pervasive controls, has greatly impaired the country’s economic growth. In the market, it has created unfair advantage for corporations receiving corporate welfare and in the community it deprives the citizens of money that could be voluntarily given to charities, churches and civic groups that assist those in need. By perpetuating a reliance on government handouts, the government has undermined the historical role of the free market and of charitable organizations within the community. Rather than having accountability to the group providing assistance, the government often penalized those whose economic condition begins to improve.
If, by welfare, men are entitled by “right” to the products of the work of others, it means that those others are deprived of rights and condemned to slave labor. There can never be a “right” to enslave another. Any alleged “right” of one man that necessitates the violation of the rights of another is not a right. There is no such thing as a “right to a job” – there is only the right to free trade; a man’s right to take a job if another man chooses to hire him. There is no “right to a home,” only the right to free trade; the right to build a home or to buy it. There are no rights to a “fair” wage or a “fair” price if no one chooses to pay it, to hire a man or to buy his products. There are no rights of consumers to milk, shoes, movies, healthcare or champagne if no producers choose to manufacture or provide these items or services. There are no “rights” of special interest groups; no “rights” of farmers, workers, businessmen, employees and employers, old or young. There are only individual rights of men – rights possessed by every individual man and by men as individuals.
Additionally, the RLC is against any form of “entitlement” legislation on the federal, state or local level that attempts to divide us as Americans on the basis of race, class, religion, and gender. Entitlements based upon these superficial characteristics are simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than as individuals.
Through its taxes, restrictive regulations, corporate subsidies, racial set-asides, and welfare programs, government plays far too large a role in determining who succeeds and who fails. This leads to resentment and hostility among us. Racism will endure until we stop thinking in terms of groups and begin thinking in terms of individual liberty. In a free society, every citizen gains a sense of himself as an individual, rather than developing a group or victim mentality. This leads to a sense of individual responsibility and personal pride, making skin color irrelevant.
Charity and assistance should be returned back to the state and local level; back to the individual, family and community efforts to relieve the burdens of those who have suffered misfortune and innocent injury. Then there can be accountability and voluntary social assistance. Not an immoral taking by the government coupled with a socialistic redistribution that rewards one for not improving and penalizes an individual for attempting to improve and get out of the welfare system.
The only true charity is found in the voluntary efforts of every compassionate person, independent of any government entitlements, dictates, or programs. We support a responsible transition to private financial alternatives, rather than maintenance or expansion of mandatory government retirement, disability, and health programs.
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