Tsunami and Compulsory Government 'Charity'

"There is no virtue in compulsory government charity, and there is no virtue in advocating it. A politician who portrays himself as "caring" and "sensitive" because he wants to expand the government's charitable programs is merely saying that he's willing to try to do good with other people's money. Well, who isn't? And a voter who takes pride in supporting such programs is telling us that he'll do good with his own money -- if a gun is held to his head."

-- P.J. O'Rourke

That has been one of my favorite quotes for years now (frequently used as an away message on AIM). Now, in helping the victims of the tsunami, the world's government's leaders competing on who can be the most charitable (with money not their own) and this quote is ever more relevant.

There is nothing charitable about a president, prime minister or other government leader giving away money that it has forcibly taken from its citizens through taxes. There is no generosity involved in using other people's money to do something you believe should be done.

This is not to say that I believe that the world's governments should have been sitting by watching people die. On the contrary, while many individuals wanted to help, governments, with their standing armies and immediate access to large sums of money, were the most capable of getting the money and supplies where it was needed, when it was needed.

But now? There are mechanisms in place for individuals to help, charitable organizations that will get the money where it is needed most...heck, Google has a link on its search page that, within two clicks, people can donate online.

And people will help. People are helping. People are choosing to take their hard-earned money and use it in this way (as opposed to other charitable causes, investment opportunities or the other ways people use their disposable income) because they feel that this is the best use of their money.

But when the government uses the money, it takes the choice away from the people who live in the real world and are better at making choices than bureaucrats or politicians (honestly, would you want any bureaucrat or politician making any of the choices in your life?)...besides, it's their money and their moral right to choose.