"Compassion" and "Fix" Defined"

In this campaign there seems to be two words the need some clarification.  “Compassion” and “Fix”.

 George Bush has used the term “Compassionate Conservative” and the Democrats have shoved it back up his mouth on such areas as executions in Texas. 

 We have heard both candidates use the term “Fix” as in “Fix Social Security”, “Fix Medicare”.

 It seems to be just accepted that Republicans are not compassionate and Democrats are.  This is based on the willingness or unwillingness to collect more taxes and have more programs for the poor or less fortunate.  This makes the erroneous assumption more money for new programs will automatically take care  _______ problem.  One thing that a new program, or an increase in funding of an existing program does is “do something”.  For many politicians, that is the goal… just “So Something.”  The Republicans are for reduced taxes, thus they are less compassionate because there will be less money for federal programs.  The Christian Right is branded cold hearted and uncompassionate because they to condemn many behaviors that lead people into difficult situations. 

Let’s start with the definition of compassion; “Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress with a desire to alleviate it.”

 Most people are sympathetic to other’s troubles and some even desire to do something to alleviate it.  But the real rub comes in “How”. 

 Let’s start with the fact that money does not constitute compassion.  Programs do not automatically alleviate problems, in fact you can make a case that some of the very programs to build families and relieve their problems have contributed to those problems.  Are families stonger now than 30 years ago.  We have spent millions, nay billions on the drug problem, is it better now than 20 years ago?  We have spent billions to relieve poverty but poverty still is with us even in a roaring, jobs everywhere economy.  Throwing money at a problem does not always work. 

 Real compassion is from the heart, not from confiscating money from one group and give it to another.  If we combine heart and mind to these problems we will be better off and get better results.  We need programs that give a lift up and for the most part most individuals who really want to be lifted, can, with a little help, finish the job.  Most cases REQUIRE an end to the lift and let people use their own wings, they will be the better for it and we will see results.  That would be a “Compassionate” approach. 

We have heard the word “Fix” Social Security, or “Fix” Medicare”.  We must use the surplus to “fix” these problems.  Money again is not a fix.  It is like fixing a leak in the boat by bailing out the water.  It does not fix the problem.  You don’t fix the roof by putting a bucket under the leak.  To “fix” you must make a fundamental change that will that will stop the drain and every increasing taxes on the working people.  Some politicians have cleverly used the term “shore up” or “extend the life”.  These are code words for more bailing the boat, more throwing money at a flawed program.

 True the “fix” must preserve the commitment to the retired and the nearly retired.  But a fundamental change must change things for the young.  These people have the time to adjust to this change that must come.

 Is it right that someone else should fund our retirement?  No.  It is not even desirable.  No one wants to be dependant on someone else for his retirement as is the case now.   Those on Social Security right now are continually concerned that the politicians may cut off the confiscation of the money to keep it going. 

 Each of us should plan ahead and if you don’t the government should encourage you to put a portion of your income into a fund that will pay when your working years are over.  It is very easy to figure out how much should be put away to get a defined benefit at the end of a period of time.  If you take a conservative approach, you can be assured of a good result.  Should the return be better than that conservative approach, so much the better.  But in the end, you will have done it with the your own work, your own saving, not depending on the current political climate.  You will not be dependent on the younger generation to pay more and more to fund your lack of planning.

 The same applies to Medicare and prescription drugs.  There are some fundamental changes that can reduce health care costs.  The system has encouraged test after test to ward off legal action, not to improve healthcare.  But we can pretty well tell what health care will costs.  Insurance does it now.  For most able bodied citizens, the cost of health care should be borne by each one of us. Insurance can offer the service, they do now.  They know how much to charge.  It comes down to spreading the risks, but in the end it should be borne by the individual. 

The compassionate way to fix a problem is to find the way to allow each one of us to solve our everyday problems.  Providing healthcare and planning for our retirement are everyday problems.  But governmental action have taken these away from the individual, they see no way to do it without someone else’s money.  That is far from compassionate and not a fix!