The other day I participated in an online debate on illegal immigration, and I got attacked, simply because I identified myself as having conservative leanings, as a heartless bastard who thinks the world would be better if all the poor people died. First off, I'm poor, so that would suck. And second.... Well there's a lot there to talk about.

This idea that conservatives are heartless bastards is belied by actual fact. The populations of states that voted for Bush over Kerry donate far more to charity than people in states that voted for Kerry. And the GOP is racist? How come Bush actually has several blacks in positions higher than any black person has ever been in our government's structure, whereas John Kerry, hope of the left wing, did not have a single black person in his inner circle of advisors. Oh, the GOP freed the slaves and fought the Jim Crow democrats during the civil rights movement.

I read some articles today that highlight the difference in worldview between the left and the right on helping people. One was on check cashing services, like those counters you see in some gas stations. Advocates for the poor hate these things, and constantly attack them as being predatory and hurting poor people. That's simply not true. Banks are easily available in even the worst neighborhoods, and few of even the poorest working people would have trouble keeping $100 in an account so that it stays free. No matter how many banks are in an area, and no matter how cheap they are, people are still going to use check cashing services because they are immediate, the fee is small (2% max by law) and they have longer hours. They also usually provide other services like mailboxes, Western Union, stuff like that. I'm going to change this from left versus right to knee-jerk reactors versus people who actually think.

Someone who has knee-jerk reactions to everything typically hates the idea of a third world sweatshop. Someone who thinks and bothers to find out the facts realizes that as bad as these conditions seem to an American, the working environment and steady pay is usually far higher than would otherwise be available to a third world unskilled worker. The knee-jerkers don't care, these people aren't getting health insurance, so let's close down these sweatshops and help to create mass unemployment!!! Woo hoo!!! It's almost more anti-Americanism than anything else. They find the third world quaint and charming, unlike the hustle and bustle of the U.S., and don't bother to feel any real empathy for the people who actually have to live with the conditions they think are so great. We're seeing this sort of dynamic all over the place. Check out Thomas Friedman's The Lexus and the Olive Tree for more. I got it, you can borrow it.

The other story I read was about a former UGA football player. This guy's father worked for the school as a janitor and when his kid was like 6, he asked the head coach if he could loan him $20 to pay for his kid's little league football equipment. Vince Dooly was happy to oblige, and the small investment paid off great when the kid grew into a big kid and signed with UGA and went on the become a 3 time All American. Knee injuries killed his professional career, but he got a job and started a family. The real tragedy is that he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 28. His sister was willing to donate marrow, but they had to wait until her pregnancy was completed first. Insurance was to pay for the operation, but he still needed a way to pay for transportation to Utah where the surgery was to be done. The UGA letterman's club heard about it and very quickly collected more than enough money to help their friend out. Unfortunately he died before the surgery happened, so the donated funds were put into a new "hardship" fund named after the dead guy, and dedicated to helping former UGA athletes who face similar financial difficulties. The story warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I never get that sort of feeling when I read about someone getting unemployment checks or taking advantage of some other government funded service. Why? Because it's not really government funded, it's funded by you and me without us having a choice in the matter. Take away all that crap and I guarantee charitable contributions will go up. Few people mind helping those less fortunate if they can, but most everyone resents having money stolen from them to give to someone else. I can promise that as soon as my own life is in order and I can support myself better, I will give plenty to various charities.