TheTragedyofAmericanCompassion MarvinOlasky RegneryPublishing,1992 Original233Pages Summary21pagesandsomechange

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Chapter1TheEarlyAmericanModelofCompassion ThemodelofearlyAmericangenerositytowardthoseingreatestneedstressedpersonalaidin timesofdisease.Themodelalsoemphasizedhospitality,particularlytheopeningofhomesto thosesufferingdestitutionbecauseofdisaster.Themodelalsoinsistedondecentlivingonthe partofthosewhowerehelped.Theopenhandwasnotextendedtoall;thesocietyruledthatno profaneordissoluteperson,oropenlyscandalousshallhaveanypartorportionherein.The ablebodiedcouldreadilyfindjobs.Whentheychosenotto,itwasconsideredperfectly appropriatetopressurethemtochangetheirminds.AmericansfollowedJohnWesleysadviceto putyourselfintheplaceofeverypoormananddealwithhimasyouwouldyourGoddealwith you. IncolonialAmerica,emphasisonatheisticGodofbothjusticeandmercyledtoanunderstanding ofcompassionthatwashardheadedbutwarmhearted.Sincejusticemeantpunishmentfor wrongdoing,itwasrightfortheslothfultosuffer.Theisticunderstandingledtostrongthemes, thatman,createdafterGodsimage,shouldgobeyondclockworkcharity.Godvaluesourhearts andspiritsabovealloursilverorgold,ourherdsandflocks.Ifamanwouldgiveallthesubstance ofhishouseinsteadoflove,itwouldbecontemned. Itwasimportantforthebetterofftoknowthepoorindividually,andtounderstandtheirdistinct characters.Thereweretimes,andcertainpeople,forwhomcharitywastobewithheld.Cotton Matherwarnedhischurchmembersin1698,Insteadofexhortingyourtoaugmentyourcharity,I willratherutteranexhortationthatyoumaynotabuseyourcharitybymisapplyingit.Letustry todogoodwithasmuchapplicationofmindaswickedmenemployindoingevil.Thedifference betweenMathersrestraintandourmoderndayexuberanceindicatesthedifferencebetween dominantviewsofhumannaturethenandnow.Matherdidnotassumethatmostmenand womennaturallywanttowork,butthatgivenachoice,mostwouldchosetosit. CharlesChauncyin1752toldhiscongregationthatdistinguishingbetweenthoseneedypeople whoareable,andthosewhoareunabletoemploythemselvesinlaborisanobligationofdue care.Headded,itwouldbeabreachofthelawoftheGospel,aswellasnature,tobestowupon thosethebreadofcharitywhomightearnandeattheirownbread. Themajortypeofpovertydealtwithincolonialtimeswascausedbyacalamitysuchasfireand earthquakeorbyacripplingaccidentorearlydeath.Sufferersofthatkindweretoreceive personalcare,ofteninneighborshomes.Forthosewhowerealcoholicsordisorderly,and refusedtowork,townsbuildworkhouseswhereruleswerestrict,andworkwascompulsoryfor thoseseekingrefuge.Enforcingworkamongtheablebodiedwasnotseenasoppressive.

 Anotherpre1800povertyfightingprinciplewasanemphasisonfamilyrelationships.Nothing thatcouldcontributetothebreakupoffamilies,ortothelossofhefamilyscentralroleassupport ofitsmembers,wasencouraged.EarlylawsintheNorthwestTerritoriesdecreedthatparents, grandparents,andchildrenofeverypoor,old,blind,lameandimpotentperson,orotherpoor personunabletowork,shouldrelieveandmaintaineverysuchpoorperson.Aidfurthermore, wasalmostalwaysinkindfood,coal,clothratherthancash. AthreeleggedstoolofFamily,Church,andNeighborhoodwasputinplace.Butthatstoolwas steadiestinthecountrysideandinsmalltowns.Ascitiesgrew,moreorganizationwasnecessary ifthoseinneedthroughnofaultoftheirownweretobehelped.Inthegrowingurbanareas, marriedwomenwerenotexpectedtohaveapayingjob,andthisprovedvitaltotheexpansionof voluntaristiccompassion.Womenwereoftenintheforefrontofbenevolentactivity. SocialthoughtofthisperioddidnotinsistonequaltreatmentforallwhowereintroubleThegoal wastoserveindividualswhohadunavoidableproblems. EachyeartheSocietyforthePreventionofPauperismintheCityofNewYork,agroupwhosegoal wastoattackdestitutionofallkinds,printedinitsannualreportsalistof10causesofpauperism. Thefirstthreewereignorance,idlenessandintemperance.Thencamewantofeconomy, imprudentandhastymarriages,andlotteries.Thenpawnbrokers,brothelsandgamblinghouses. Thislistwithanemphasisonpersonalfailingsandtheninstitutionallures,typifiedmostsocial thoughtofthetime,butanewelementappeared;thetenthcausewascharitiesthatgaveaway moneytoofreely.Therewerenotmanyofthesebutinagrowingeconomy,anyeaseofsubsidy wasviewedasdestructivebothmorallyandmaterially. Theemphasisonanobligationtochangeiscriticizedbymany20thcenturyhistorians.19th centurypracticeisfrequentlydescribedasmoralistic,paternalistic,andcontrolling.Therewasa hardnessinthosedaysbasedonthebeliefthatsomeindividualsneededtosufferinordertobe willingtochange.Noonehowever,oughttobelefttostarve.Absolutedistressandwantmustbe relieved,whatevercausesproducedit.Buttoughlovewasstandard.Thosewhogavematerialaid withoutrequiringeventhesmallestreturnwereconsideredasmuchathreattotruecompassion asthosewhoturnedtheirbacksonneighborsandbrothers. Themostfamousforeignobserveroftheearly19thcenturywasAlexisdeTocqueville.Henoted thatAmericansdisplaygeneralcompassionandhecontrastedAmericasfreeinstitutionswith thoseofEuropesaying,thestatealmostexclusivelyundertakestosupplybreadtothehungry, assistanceandsheltertothesick,worktotheidle,andtoactasthesolerelieveforallkindsof misery. In1990ChrisEdleyJr.wroteintheLegalTimes,thathedidnotgivemoneytobeggarsbecause,I paytaxesforsocialworkerstodeterminewhoisneedy.Hisdecisionnottogivewasright,his rationalewaswrong. Chapter2TurningCitiesintoCountryside

AsAmericancitiesbegantogrow,thosewholookedaheadstudiedtheexperienceofthoseinthe BritishIsleswhowerealreadytastingthefuture.Americansobservedtheestablishmentin Englandsnewlyindustrializedcitiesoflargelyindiscriminateoutdoorrelief. ThomasChalmersrectorofStJohnsParishinGlasgowfrom18191823insistedona distinctionbetweenpauperismandpoverty.Secondhearguedthatstatutoryrelieftendedto pauperizebecauseitremovedtheneedforselfhelpanddiscipline.Third,hestressedthebiblical obligationofthebetterofftobecomepersonallyinvolvedwiththepoor.Fourth,hearguedthat thosewhowerepoorbecauseoftheirownfailingsneededtoindicateawillingnesstochange modesofthinkingoractingthatweredraggingthemdown;iftheydidnot,thosewhowishedto helpweretostepawayforawhile,renewtheoffer,andbewillingtostepawayagainforatimeif heartshadnotchanged. ChalmersranauniqueexperimentinGlasgow,inaspeciallycreateddistrict,thepoorestdistrict. Hetookresponsibilityfortheneedsofthepoor,andthegovernmentagreedtostayoutofhisway fortheexperiment.Theyfurtherdividedthedistrictintosmallerdistrictsandputdeaconsin chargeofeach.Theyweretheoneswhohelpedbuildrelationships,evaluatedneeds,anddecided whattodo.Theprogramwasatremendoussuccess. Ingeneral,giventhedifficultiesofhelping,charityleadersbelievedthatfewwouldvolunteer manyhourseachweekiftheydidnotseethemselvesassoulsaversandnotjustbreadproviders. Leadersandvolunteersbothunderstood,moreover,thatthemostvitalkindofhelpinvolveda changeinworldview,notjustatemporaryadjustmentofworldlyconditions.Inrecentyears, conventionallyliberalhistorianshavetendedtominimizetheusefulnessofthegroupsthatoften triedtospreadreligionalongwithalms:andpaidlittleattentiontotheunderlyingcausesof destitutionorthelongtermneedsoftheirclients.Buttheunderlyingcausesandlongterm needswerereligious,early19thcenturycharityworkersconsistentlyargued.Untilfeelings, opinions,andpracticesofthegreatsmassaregovernedbysoundprinciples,andChristianity pervadesandrenovatesthehabitsofsocialandciviclife,thereisnoreliablefoundationfor prosperity.Thegoalwastousebothsacredandsecularmotivestohelprectifythewrongin individualcharacterCatholicandJewishgroupsagreedonthisissue. Thosewhohavemuchtodowithalmsgivingandplansofhumanimprovementsoonseehow superficialandcomparativelyuselessallassistanceororganizationis,whichdoesnottouchhabits oflifeandtheinnerforceswhichformcharacter.Thepoorhelpedeachyearbecomepoorerin forceandindependence. CharlesBrace(aYalegrad,awriter,andfounderofNewYorkChildrensSociety)arguedthatthe bestpoliticsandthemostcompleteformofgovernmentarenothingiftheindividualmoralitybe notthere.Christianityisthehighesteducationofcharacter.Givethepoorthat,andonlyseldom willeitheralmsorpunishmentbenecessary.Experiencesoonshowsthatifyouputacomfortable coatonthefirstidleandraggedladwhoapplies,youwillhave50halfcladlads,manywhom possesshiddenawayacomfortableoutfit,leavingtheirbusinessnextday,togetjacketsfor nothing.

Bracearguedthatpovertyfightershadtostifletheirfirstimpulsewhichwastoofferimmediate materialhelp. Chapter3FirstChallengetotheCharityConsensus Apennysavedisapennyearned.Theauthorofthatmaxim,BenjaminFranklin,visitedLondon in1766andwasstruckbyhowaBritishwelfareactwasteachingtheopposite.Thereisno countryintheworldwherethepooraremoreidle,dissolute,drunkenandinsolent.Thedayyou passedthewelfareactyoutookawayfrombeforetheireyesthegreatestofallinducementsto industry,frugalityandsobriety,bygivingthemadependenceonsomewhatelsethanacareful accumulationduringyouthandhealthforsupportinageandsickness.Repealthatlawandyou willsoonseeachangeintheirmanners. FranklinshorrifiedreactionwasatypicalearlyAmericanresponsetogovernmentwelfare programs.Concerninggovernmentaldistributionofmoneyorfood,Franklincontemporaries typicallyarguedthatveryoftenitcreatesandappetitewhichismoreharmfulthatthepainitis intendedtorelieve. But,ascitiesstartedgrowing,complexitiesgrewandquestionsarose.Therewereminuteshades ofdifferencebetweenthepauperwhothroughimpotencycandoabsolutelynothingandthe pauperwhoisabletodosomething,butthat,verylittle.Atoostringentstandardofdisability wouldexcludesomewhotrulyneededhelp,butastandardtoloosewoulddiscourageeffortby thosewithcapabilities.JosiahQuincychairmanofpauperlawsinMassin1821concludedthat neitherhislegislativecommitteenotothergovernmentalbodiescoulddothejob.Giventhe nuances,heattested,nogroupthatbyitsnaturelackedflexibilitywouldbeabletosetacrossthe boardregulations.Theremustalwaysexist,somanycircumstancesofage,sex,previoushabits, muscularormentalstrength,tobetakenintoaccount,thatsocietyisabsolutelyincapabletofix anystandard,ortoprescribeanyrulebywhichtheclaimofrighttothebenefitofthepublic provisionshallbedetermined. Basedonsuchviews,thetypicalformofgovernmentalsupportofthepoorintheearly19th centurycontinuedtobethepoorhouses(sometimesknownasAlmsHousesorforthosewho couldwork,WorkHouses).Theirexistencemeantthatnoonewouldstarve,buttheirpoor reputationalsomeantthatnoonwouldbeattractedintopauperism.Poorhouseswereneverthe majorsocietalformofcharitytheworthypoorcontinuedtoreceivehelpthroughprivate means.Butthepoorhousesprovidedadesperationsafetynetandatooutdoorreliefwhichwas seenasleadingtoruin. Despitethewarnings,afewcitiesandtownsdidsetupoutdoorreliefprograms,showingthat someableresidentsacceptedalmsinpreferencetoworkingandsomehardworkingpeoplewere discouragedbyobservingthatbountywasbestowedupontheidle,whichtheycouldonlyobtain bythesweatoftheirbrow.Reliefofficialsofferingacertaintyofpublicprovisionweresaidtobe handingoutinvitationstobecomebeggars.Suchmeasureswereparticularlycriticizedbecause manystudieswereshowingthatthemajorcauseofdestitutionwasintemperance.From7590% ofthepaupersinallpartsofthecountry,mayattributetheirdegradationtotheviceof intemperance.

Referringtothosereceivingsomethingfornothing,workersoftenobserved,theunblushing effronterythatsomeexhibit.Thethanklessnesswithwhichtheydemandtheirallotment,andthe insolencewithwhichtheydemandafurthersupply,exactingitasaright,witharrogance,what neverhaveoughttobegranted,evenasacharity.Chalmerswarningsaboutcompassionfatigue, andaneventualreductioninsupplyfromprivateindividualsbegantoringtrue.Theneedypoor, arguedChalmers,endupwithlessunderamandatorysystemthanwhenthefountainofhuman sympathyfreelyoperates.Privategroupswereabletoactwithdiscretionanddiscernment,but governmentorganizationswouldfinditmoredifficulttosayyestosomeandnotoothers. AmericanwritersreferredtotheexperienceofancientRome,wherepoliticiansofthetimeused dolestothepoortoobtainpositionswhichtheywerefarfromcompetenttohold.Nathaniel WaresadlypredictedthatanAmericangovernmentalwelfaresystemwoulddevelop,sooneror later,becauseofficeholderslikedtoappealtopoorvoterswhowouldgivethempowerto distributelargeamountsofmoney.Americansweretoldyearafteryeartotaketoheartthe experienceofothernationsandothertimes,whichshowedthatofficialreliefonlyfostered pauperismbyaffixingapremiumtoindiscriminatepoverty. Allhistoricalandcontemporarystudysuggestedthatthemorethatisdone,themoremaybe done,asthesupplyis,sowillbethedemand,unlessitsdistributionbeundertheoutmost discrimination.MinisterWilliamRuffner,in1853,claimedthatidlenessandimprovidence resultwhenevertherearelargefundsprovidedandespeciallywhenprovidedbytaxationand disbursedbystateofficials. Therealdebatewasoverwhethertheresponsibilitytohelpthepoorshouldbeinthehandsofthe governmentorinthehandsofprivateindividuals,andaboutthebasicnatureofman,beitgoodor evil.Thedebateendedinfavorofgovernmenthelp,andinthebeliefthatmanisbasicallygoodin allhisnature;twoerroneousassumptions.Justificationsforgovernmentwelfareprograms sproutedduringthe1850s.Somearguedthateveryhumanegovernmentshouldmaintainthe poor.Sincesocietyasawholewasresponsibleforthepoor,societyasawholeshouldpayforthe poor,reasonedmany. Whatbegantohappenwasthattrendlinesforreliefwentupwardsingoodtimes,aswellasin bad,andmanycontinuedtoarguethatbetween7590%ofpovertywascausedbyalcoholism. ScholarSamuelAustinAllibone,forexample,wassarcasticaboutabookthatexpressedlovefor thepoorbutdidnotdiscussintemperance,sinceheconnecteditwithofAmericanpoverty. Some,however,cametobelievethatmostoftheaidbeingprovidedbythegovernmentwasgoing totheunworthypoor,andtheyproposedthataidshouldbeprivateratherthangovernmentalso thatclaimscouldbeexaminedcarefully.HenryRaymondsNewYorkTimesarguedthat governmentalcharitywaslikelytobreedindifferenceintheheartsofthosewhosupport,and imbecilityinthecharactersofthosewhoprofitbythemachineryofbenevolence.Other organizationscontinuedtoopposesoquestionableandhazardousamodeofreliefassoup houses,availabletoallwithoutchecking.Beyewiseasserpentsandharmlessasdovesmustbe carriedintoourcharities.Ifschemesofindiscriminatecharitywerefollowed,wemightaswell throwthemoneyinthestreetandletthepoorscrambleforit,andthenbeastonishedattheriot wecreated.

Moreandmoresoupkitchensdidspringuptofeedanyandall,buttherewerestillsolidpointsof lighthelpingtheworthyneedy.Thesepointsoflightwerehelpfultomanyforabriefperiod,but onestudyshowedthatoverhalfofthemoneyraisedforindustriousvictimsoftherecession, wasspentonfecklessbumsandimposters.Soonadestructivepatternemerged.Onecharity officialnotedthatindiscriminate,soupkitchencharitywasbothtoomuchandtoolittle,foritwas dispersedintantalizingdoles,miserablyinadequateforeffectualsuccorwheretheneedwas genuine,anddealtoutbroadcastamongtheclamorousandimpudent. Chapter4TheSocialDarwinistThreat Inthe1870smostAmericansstilllivedinruralareas,true,buturbanpovertyfightersfaced hurdlesatleastashighasthosetoday.Atthattimeurbanpopulationdensitywasoftenlarger thantoday,andlifeexpectancywaslower,leavingmoreandmoreorphansonthestreets.Rapid immigrationandurbanizationmadeinfrastructurebuckle.Mosteasterncitiesdoubledfrom 18601890andincreased6to10foldincitieslikeChicagoandCleveland.Societywaspoorerand thelaborandlivingconditionsmorestrenuousthanthoseoftoday. Duringthisperiod,manyofthepreviouslycharitablebecamesickofitall.Compassionmalaise wasevidenteverywhere.EvenHoraceGreenly,astaunchformersupporterofdistributedwealth, andmaterialprovisionforallregardlessofworkethic,recordedhisexasperationatwhathistype ofthinkinghadcreated.Heconcludedintheendmakeupthesquareissueworkorstarve! andamanislikelytochooseworkHedecidedthatexceptforwidows,orphansandotherswithin thetraditionalworthypoorcategory,thebestresponsetoapersonaskingforhelpwasNatures responseroot,hog,ordie! GeorgeMcGonegal,NYstatesuperintendentforthepoor,criticizedprogramswhereinfamilies arefurnishedastatedamountweeklyormonthly,andthisiscontinuedweekaftermonth,after year.theirchildrenlearntothinkthatgettingprovisionsandfuelfromtheoverseerofthepoor isperfectlyrightandproper,andtheyarealmostcertaintofollowintheparentsfootsteps.Iknow ofnothingwhichdoessomuchtoencouragepauperismandeducatepaupersforthenext generationasthis[welfare]system. Astheincidenceofcompassionfatigueaugmented,itbecameeasierandeasiertogiveinto generalwelfareideas.Atthesametimeincreasedimmigrationandurbanizationwascreating moreeconomicsegregation.Sharplydefinedrichandpoorareasemerged,meaningthatmore affluentpeoplewerelesslikelytoencounterneedsdirectly.Ithadbecomemoreeasytoignore thepoorandrelyonmediatedcompassionofothersandpressreportsaboutthepoor. Oncesomecharitygroupsgaveintothepressuretojustgiveindiscriminately,othergroupsfaced pressuretodothesame,orriskbeingcategorizedasScroogesandignoredbythoseithopedto help.Furthermore,itwasduringthepostwar(CivilWar)periodofcompassionfatigueand growingeconomicsegregationthatnotcoincidentallythepoisonousideologyofSocial Darwinismbegantopickupmanyadherents.Equatingtheeconomicstruggleamonghumans withthestruggleforsurvivalamonganimals,SocialDarwiniststypicallyarguedthattheunfit mustbeeliminatedasnatureintended,fortheprincipleofnaturalselectionmustnotbeviolated bytheartificialpreservationofthoseleastabletotakecareofthemselves. Naturesremediesagainstviceareterrible.Sheremovesthevictimswithoutpity.Adrunkardinthe

gutterisjustwhereheoughttobe,accordingtothefitnessandtendencyofthings.Naturehassetup onhimtheprocessofdeclineanddissolutionbywhichsheremovesthingswhichhavesurvivedtheir usefulness.WilliamSumner Fromandeconomicpointofviewthegentlemanpaysthebeggarforbeingpoor,miserable,idle,dirty andworthless.Ineverycommunitythereisademandforbricklayers,andacertainportionofthe menwilllaybricks,andinsuchawayastogainthehighestwages.Andinacommunitywherethere isademandforbeggars,acertainnumberofmenwillbecomeso,andtheywillstudytheprofessional accomplishmentsofbeggingwhichwillhelpthemdraythemostmoneyfromthepocketsofthe benevolent.SimonNewcomb SocialDarwinismpickedupstrongoppositionfromchurches,somecallingittheenemyofthe spirituallawofsacrifice,taughtintheBibleandseenmostclearlyinGodssacrificeofhisSon. ManyobservedthatJesusneitherabandonedtheneedy,norfeedthemimmediately.Instead,he taughtthem. EvangelicalsrealizedthatonlytwoconcurrentchangeswouldbeabletobeatbackSocial Darwinismandreallyhelpthepooratthesametime.First,governmentandindividualshadto refrainfromhandingoutbadcharitythatcreatedunnecessarydependency.Second,morepoints oflightwereneeded;discerningalternatives.Theymustapplythelessonslearnedearlierinthe century,evenintheharsherurbanenvironments. Thefirststepgettinggovernmentsoutofthewelfaredistributionbusiness,wasacitybycity struggle,butnotafruitlessone.Activistsin8ofthelargestcities(NewYork,Baltimore,Philly,DC, St.Louis,KansasCity,S.F.)wereabletoabolishoutdoorreliefduringthe1870sand1880s. Thebattleovermindscontinued.TheSocialDarwinistswerecriticizeddirectlybythosewho arguedthatitwaswrongtostandaloofinhaughtyindifferencefromallthewoesofour fellowmen,andtocloseourearstothecriesofthesuffering.Iflefttothemselvesandnokind handishelpouttoassist,theywillinevitablesinklowerandloweruntiltheyendtheircoursein suicideorfelony.Theyalsonoted,however,thatSocialDarwinismwasanaturalreactiontothe misdirectedloveofthosewhochoosetogiveblindlyattheapproachofdistress,realorfeigned, mistakingtheflutterofsatisfaction,whicheverfollowsanactofbenevolence,fortherealsmileof Heaven.Forifcharityisnottemperedbyjudgment,thepoorwilllearntobedependent,tillatlast, throughbydegrees,everyvestigeofmanlinessandambitionwillhavebeendestroyed,andthey willcomebackasskilledbeggars,totormentandcursetheverypeoplewhosesocalledcharity hasmadethemwhattheyare. Ruleshadtobemadetocontinuallydistinguishbetweenworthyandunworthypoor.TheBuffalo CharityOrganizationeventuallyestablishedthisprocedure:theattempttodistinguishbetween worthyandunworthycasesisextremelydifficult.Inallcases,however,letthelaboraxiombethe testwhetherornottheapplicantiswillingtodoasmuchworkashisconditionallows.Thosewho werecrippledortemporarilyunabletoworkbecauseofillnesswereexcused,aswerewidowwith youngchildren.Theotherthingtheydidattimeswasprovidesmallloans,withnointerest charges,whichrequiredthepeopletoworkinordertopaybackthehelp.Helpwhichneedlessly releasesthepoorfromthenecessityofprovidingforthemselvesisinviolationofdivinelawand incursthepenaltieswhichfollowanyinfractionofthatlaw.Publicaidcannotbedefended;ithas noneoftheredeemingfeaturesofprivatecharity,becausethereisnothingpersonalorsofteninginit.

Nothingshouldbedoneundertheguiseofcharity,whichtendstobreakdowncharacter.Itisthe greatestwrongthatcanbedonetohimtounderminethecharacterofthepoor.Thestruggleishard. Heneedsallhisdeterminationandstrengthofwilltofighthisway,andnothingthatdeprivesthe poormanofthesequalitiescanbecalledcharitable.MrsJosephineLowellNYCharityOrg. Society Citizensneededtolearnthattheoutdoorreliefofsoupkitchenswasnotgenerous,butstingy. Stingyinhumancontact,stingyinitsestimationofwhathumansmadeinGodsimagewere capableofdoingandbecoming,andstingyinrefusingtodivideuptheavailableamountof materialsupportsothatthosewhoreallyneededitreceivedanamplesupply,butthosewho wouldbehurtbyitreceivednone. Chapter5ProvingSocialDarwinismWrong Bythemid1880soutdoorreliefwasout.Manyprivateorganizationscontinuetoprovethatwith discernment,andwithpersonalinvolvementwiththepoor,bothreformandreliefwaspossible. Andthatprovidingmaterialhelptoallwithoutregardtocharacterandbehaviorwasfoolish,and actuallymadetheproblemworse.Therewasawaytobetrulycompassionatetowardsthepoor, withoutcreatinganunhealthydependency. Chapter6TheSevenMarksofCompassion Evenifitisacknowledgedthatthelate19thcenturywaronpovertyisrelevanttoourown,and thatmuchhappened,athirdquestionremains:Whatexactlydidthecharityofthatera accomplish?Whatwastheirsecret. Aswehaveseen,itwasnotneglect,eitherbenignormalign;inthelate19thcentury,Social Darwinismdidnotsinkdeeproots.Norwastheirsecretacenturyagotheshoweringofmoneyon thepoor,northetriumphofanantistatistspirit;theyknewthatprivateagenciescouldbejustas badasgovernmentones,ifnotwellrun.No,charityworkersacenturyagowerefiredupby7 ideasthatrecentwelfarepracticehasputonthebackburner.Ifweunderstandhowthese7 principleswereappliedwecanatleastasktherightquestionsaboutwherewehavegonewrong. 1)AffiliationCharityorganizationsrespondedbytellingvolunteerstoworkhardatrestoring familytiesthathavebeensunderedandstrengtheningachurchorsocialbondthatis weakened.Theprimegoalofrelief,allagreed,wasnotmaterialdistributionbutaffiliationthe reabsorptioninordinaryindustrialandsociallifeofthosewhoforsomereasonhavesnappedthe threadsthatboundthemtotheothermembersofthecommunity.Reliefgivenwithoutreference tofriendsandneighborsisaccompaniedbymoralloss.Familyandneighborlytiesmustbe enforcedratherthanrelaxed. Similarly,abandonedyoungpeopleweretobeplacedinalternativefamilies,notinstitutionalized. Orphansweretobeplacedwithfamiliesasquicklyaspossibleacenturyagothatmeantdaysor weeks,notmonthsoryearsinfostercare. 2)BondingWhenadultapplicantsforhelpweretrulyalong,thenitwastimeforbondingwith volunteers,whoinessencebecamenewfamilymembers.Eachvolunteerhasanarrowbutdeep

responsibility;asmallnumberoffamilies,fromthreetofive,areenoughtoexhaustallthetime, attention,andfriendlycarewhichonevisitorhas. 3)CategorizationButsuchcontactwasnotuninformed.Volunteerstypicallymiddleclass churchmemberswerehelpedintheirtasksbycarefulcategorizationthatcharitiesrequired uponinitialcontactwithapplicants.Charitiesdidnottreateveryoneequallyandsincetheywere private,theydidnothaveto.Insteadcharityorganizationsocietiesconsideredworthyofrelief onlythosewhowerepoorthroughnofaultoftheirownandunabletochangetheirsituation quickly. Buttheshiftlessandintemperatewhowereunwillingtoworkwerecategorizedasunworthy notentitledtorelief.Inthisgroupwerethosewhoprefertoliveonalmsthosewithconfirmed intemperance,andtheviciouswhoseempermanentlyso.Volunteerswhoagreedtovisitsuch individualshadtobeofhardystockandoftenofroughexperience;thebestwereoftenex alcoholicsorexconvicts. 4)DiscernmentCategorizationwasaccompaniedbydiscernment,whichgrewoutofthebenign suspicionthatcamenaturallytocharityworkerswhohadgrownupreadingtheBible.Aware fromtheirtheologyofthedeviousnessofthehumanheart,19thcenturycharityworkerswerenot surprisedwhensomeamongthepoorpreferredtheirconditionandeventriedtotakeadvantage ofit.Onlydiscernmentonthepartofcharityworkerswhoknewtheiraidseekersintimately couldpreventfraud.Discernmentbyvolunteers,andorganizationalbarriersagainstfraud,were importantnotonlytopreventwaste,buttopreservemoraleamongthosewhowereworkinghard toremainindependent.Onecharityworkernoted,nothingismoredemoralizingtothe strugglingpoorthansuccessesoftheindolentorvicious. TheNewOrleansCOStriedtoimpressonitsvolunteersmaximsofdiscernmentbyprintingonthe backcoverofitsannualreportsstatementssuchas,Intelligentgivingandintelligentwithholding arealiketruecharity,andifdrinkhasmadeamanpoor,moneywillnotfeedhim,buthis drunkenness.NewHavenministerH.L.Waylandcriticizedthewellmeaningtenderhearted, sweetvoicedcriminalswhoinsistuponindulginginindiscriminatecharity. 5)EmploymentThenextkeyelementwaslongtermemploymentofallablebodiedhousehold heads. 6)FreedomAlongwithemploymentcametheemphasisonfreedomdefinedbyimmigrants notastheopportunitytodoanythingwithanyoneatanytime,butastheopportunitytoworkand worshipwithoutgovernmentrestriction.Itwascleartomostthatgovernmentsubsidycouldnot providethekindoffreedomthatwasimportant. In1894AmosWarnerdidamammothstudyongovernmentcharityandcompiledwhathadbeen learned: a)itisnecessarilymoreimpersonalandmechanicalthanprivatecharityorindividual action. b)thereissometendencytoclaimpublicreliefasaright,andfortheindolentand incapabletothrowthemselvesflatuponit.Thisfeelingwillalwaysassertitselfwheneveritis givenanopportunitytodoso.

 c)inpubliccharity,officialismisevenmorepronouncedthanunderprivatemanagement. Thedegradationofcharacterofthemanonasalarysettotheworkofrelievingthepoorisoneof themostdiscouragingthingsinconnectionwithreliefwork. d)itispossibletodosomuchreliefworkthat,whichonesetofpersonsisrelieved,another willbetaxedacrossthepauperline.TheburdenofsupportingtheStatetendstodiffuseitself alongthelinesoftheleastresistance,consequentlymoneywhichisraisedforthereliefofthepoor maycomeoutofpocketsthatcanillspareit. e)theblightofpartisanpoliticsandgratuitouslyawkwardadministrationoftenfallsupon thework.Charitableinstitutionsarespoilsofaninsignificantcharacter,thrownfrequentlytothe lessdeservingamongthehenchmenofthesuccessfulpoliticalbosses. Charityleadersandpreachersfrequentlyspokeoffreedomandshowedhowdependencywas merelyslaverywithasmilingmask.SocialworkerGredericAlmyarguesthatalmsarelikedrugs andarejustasdangerousfortheoftencreateanappetitewhichismoreharmfulthanthepain whichtheyrelieve.Freedomcouldonlybegraspedwhenindividualstookresponsibility. 7)GodChristiansbelievedthattheymadeintheimageofGodwerecalledtosufferwithin gratitudeforhesufferingdoneforthem,andinobediencetobiblicalprinciples.Jewishteaching stressedthepursuitofrighteousnessthroughthedoingofgooddeeds,particularlythoseshowing lovingkindness.Repeatedly,inJudgesandotherbooks,theBibletoldhowwhenIsraeliteshad sinned,theyweretorepentandturnawayfromtheirsin;onlythen,asarulewouldGodshow compassion.TheysawGodshowingcompassionwhiledemandingchange,andtheytriedtodo thesame. Affiliation,Bonding,Categorization,Discernment,Employment,FreedomandintheendGods grace.Butthequestionstillremains,didthelate19thcenturywaronpovertywork,andwhatuse areitslessonstous? Chapter7AndWhyNotdoMore(SocialUniversalism) Thequestion,nevertheless,continuestoringout:Whynotdomore?Formanypeopledire povertywasonlyashorttermcursebutwhydidtheyhavetosufferatall?Yes,charityand challengeaidedindividualstoescapefrompoverty,andyes,economicgrowthledtoupward mobility,butwasitfairthatmanycitizensadvancedslowly,andsomenotatall?Andifcharity leadersrespondedthattheonebyonehelpofferedbyvolunteerswasaslowbutsurewayof helpingsomeandnotmakinglifeworseforothers,theywereblamedforfailingtoalterthelives ofmassesintheirpreoccupationwithindividuals.Underlyingthisdemandformass transformationwasthebeliefthatmanwasnaturallygoodandproductiveunlessanprogressive systemgotintheway.IncontrasttotheSocialCalvinistsandtheSocialDarwinists,thosewho believedthiscouldbecalledSocialUniversalists. SocialUniversalism,withitscombinationoftheologicalliberalismandpoliticalsocialism,gained greatsupportamongtheintellectualandliteraryelite.Itwasabeliefintheexerciseof philanthropyasthedutyofgovernment.RichardElyurgedeconomistsandtheologianstounite behindthephilanthropyofgovernments,eitherlocal,state,ornational.Hewonconvertstohis faiththatonlycoercivephilanthropycouldestablishamongustruecitiesofGod.Therewasa highmindedearnestness,adesiretohelp,andadesiretodomore,aslongasthemorecouldbe universalandunconditional.Theirtheology,labeledwithpublicrelationsbrilliancethesocial

gospelemphasizedGodslovebutnotGodsholiness,andthusurgedcharitywithoutchallenge. Theirgospeldeclaredthattheworktestwascruel,becauseapersonwhohasfacedacrushing loadofmisfortunesshouldnotbefaultedifhechoosesnottowork. Somewereparticularlyimpressedwiththepotentialofcivilgovernmenttoreordersocietyand makemenbetter.WilliamFreemantlewrotethatGovernmenthasthepoweroflifeanddeath overourpersons.Henceitcallsforthworshipmorecompletethananyother.Governmentalone canembraceallthewantsofitsmembersandaffordthemtheuniversalinstructionandelevation, whichtheyneed.WefindtheNationalonefullyorganized,sovereign,independent,universal, capableofgivingfullexpressiontotheChristianprinciple.Weought,therefore,toregardthe NationastheChurch,itsrulesasministersofChrist,itswholebodyasaChristianbrotherhood,its publicassembliesasamongthehighestmodesofuniversalChristianfellowship,itsdealingwith materialinterestsasSacraments,itsprogressivedevelopment,especiallyinraisingtheweak,as thefullestservicerenderedonearthtoGod,thenearestthingasyetwithinourreachtothe kingdomofheaven.Weneedsupremepowerbythosewithclearintellectualperception. Freemantlewasobviouslyinsane,acommunist,andastateworshipper(aworshipperofman morecorrectly).Thenaturalconclusionfromsuchthinkingwouldbeifgovernmentonthis earthistheagentofGod,shoulditnotsaveall? ManyorganizationsbeganproclaimingwithhuffinessTherearenoreligiousaffiliations.Out wentthehymnsandtestimonies,andincamepoliticalaction.Theyhadnotimetosufferwith thepoor;theywantedtosavetheworld,nottheindividual.ThedowngradingofBiblicalcaution wasimportanttothecause,andwasusuallydescribedasoutgrowingfearratherthanashiftin worldview,whichwaswhatitreallywas.JaneAddamssaidin1897,Ihavenotthegreatfearof pauperizingpeoplewhichmanyofyouseemtohave.Shehadnotthefear,becauseshehadnot theexperienceofreallyworkingwiththepoor.Deletionoftheideaofasinfulnatureandadelight inutopianhopesworkedhandinhand,forifhandoutsnolongercorrupted,masstransformation downabroadhighwayofmaterialdistributionbecamenotonlypossiblebypreferable. StantonCoitandarguedin1894thatonlygovernmentcanlimitthereliefofeachagencytoa givendistrictsothatthereisnooverlaporwaste.Onlytheycanweekbyweek,gatherfulland accuratestatsoftheconditionoftheunemployed.Onlygovernmentcancompeleveryagencyto followcarefulmethodstoavoidfraud.Scientificphilanthropistswillsomedaylearnthatcharity organizationisadistinctivemunicipalfunction. Suchaviewdowngradedthefrequent19thcenturyconclusionsthatgovernmentwasunableto fosterthespiritofaffiliation,bondingandsoon;buttheorganizationaladvantagesloomedlarger intheeyesofmany. CharlesBracea19thcenturycharityleaderhadsaidmanytimesthatwhatwastrulyimportant incaringfororphanswasaffiliationandbonding,whichworkedbestoverafamilydinnertable, evenifthefoodwasplain,thetableaplank,thechairsboxes,andthediningroomashack.The familyis1000timesbetterthanallofourmachineryatcharity.Hesadlycommentedthatmany supportersseemedmoreinterestedintheconditionofthebuildingsthaninfindinggoodfamilies. Andyet,whilethesuperficialfocusonthematerialwasthegreatdangerforcharities,itwasalso themostlylikelyoutcomeifcontributionsofmoneybecamemoreimportantthancontributionsof

time.Thistrendlentimpetustoadditionalgovernmentpower,forthestatecouldnotsave familiesbutitcouldbuildbuildings.Thetrendwasclear;anytimethecharitableemphasismoved fromthepersontothemassandfromsoulstostones,governmentbecamethemorepopular engineofprogress. However,the1890sdidnotlackthosewhorememberedthelessonsofthepast.RobertEllis ThompsonoftheUniversityofPennsylvaniaarguedthatthestate,astheinstituteofrights,can givenothingtoanymanwithoutconcedingthatitishisrighttohaveit.Therefore,thestateisthe worstpossibledispenserofalms. Anyyet,somuchneededtobedone,andorganizationswereshowingthatmuchcouldbedoneon notjustaneighborhoodorcitywidelevelbutanationwidebasisaswell.Nationalevangelical organizationssuchastheYMCAandYWCAandSalvationArmywereshowingthatitwaspossible tobelargeandeffective.SocialUniversalistwhoobservedtheirsuccessarguedthatgovernment (withoutthereligiousaspect,ofcourse)coulddevelopsimilarprogramsonanallencompassing basis.Wasntcharityfollowingtheconsolidationpathofindustry,wheregreatcorporationswith hiredmanagementwereamazingtheworldwiththeirefficientproduction?Mightthenextstep beagovernmentalProsperityArmythatwouldbeinchargeofmostcharity? Suchexpansivethinkinglargelyignored,ofcourse,theunderstandingthatthekeytopoverty fightingwasarenewalofcharacterandachangeoftheinnermanwhichcanbebroughtabout onlybythegraceandpowerofourLordJesusChrist.ThosearethewordsofRichardHolza volunteerfromthelate1800s. Couldthesteamshiptravelwithoutitsfurnace?BallingtonBooth,sonofthefounderofthe SalvationArmy,scoffedatschemesforreformapartfromcharacterchangeandarguedthatan educateddevilwasonlyadevilmademoreresourceful.Hardworkandsimplereligioustruth,in hiswords,weretheanswertopoverty.TheyWarCry,apublicationoftheSalvationArmynoted, ThatwhenJesussaid,neitherdoIcondemnyou,healsosaid,goandsinnomore.Coulda pluralisticgovernmentpinpointandopposesininpeople?No.UtopianscontinuedtocryMORE. Theywereheard,andwerefollowed,despitetheevidenceandthehistory. Chapter8ExcitementofaNewCentury Anewspiritwasevidentasthe20thcenturybegan.Therewassomuchtodo!Theproblemswere great.Cautionarytalesabouttheeasyslideintopauperismseemedunimportantinthisnewera. Statementafterstatementputforththeviewthatmuchwasachievedduringthe19thcenturyand muchmorecouldbeachievedinthe20th,bytakingrecenttrendstotheirlogicalextension.Since scientificprogressduringthe19thcenturywasspectacular,socialprogressduringthe20thcould bejustasenthralling:withtheirmasteryofnaturethemenofthe20thcenturywilllearnhowto masterthemselves.Theywillsolvethesocialproblems.proclaimedsome. Studiesinhumanevolutionandsocialprocessesweresaidtoprovideunderstandingthatrequired reinterpretationfotheBibles,sinceGodwasnowmostvisible,inthegreatcommonplacesoflife, innature,inthelongevolutionaryprocess.Biblicalstatementscouldnotlongerbetakenliterally. Inparticular,thenewsocialunderstandingattackedthebiblicalconceptofasinfulhumannature. Mansbasicnaturewasnotcorrupt,butgood.Thereweresinsbutnotsin;evilactsbutnotevil.

Compassioncametomeanacceptingwrongfulactivityandpostponinganypressuretochange untilthepersonwasinagoodenvironment. Morechangesinthinkingfollowed.Ifthekeygoalwasprovisionofmaterialaidbutnopersonal changeintheindividualreceivingaid,programscouldbemeasuredbytheamountofmaterial transferred;nonquantifiableconsiderationsthatcomplicatedtheevaluationscouldbedropped. Inthenewerainwhichthestatewasseentohaveessentialresponsibility,somethinkersbeganto callforlessprivatecharity;theyarguedthatprivatecharitableeffortsmightletgovernmentoff thehook.Infact,somebegantoseetheexistenceofcharitableorganizationsasatokenof governmentalweaknessratherthanasignofsocialstrengthandasaslippageinuniversalism. Since,furthermore,theologicalliberalsassumedthatindividualsfreedfrommaterialpressures wouldalsobefreedfromthesinfultendenciesassumedlygrowingoutofthosepressures,the focusincreasinglywasonmaterialneeds. SocialgospelleaderWalterRauschenbuschsaidstraightforwardly,Godisagainstcapitalism. Clearlynotallorevenmostchurchmemberssubscribedtothisnewthinking,butmanyofthe mostarticulateandinfluentialpartsofAmericanProtestantismhuggedtheLeftandbecame thoroughlymodernmillenialists.Writersandclericswhosawutopiaaroundthecornerwerenot satisfiedwithprodigalsonscominghomeonebyone.Thejournalisticpushandthetheological pullledtoattemptstobuildanationalwelfaresystem. Whenin1909thePresidentcalledforaconferenceontheCareofDependentChildren,it representedalargedeparturefromformerWhiteHousepositionsheldsince1854whenFranklin Piercevetoedtheexpenditureoffederalfundsformentalhospitals.Roosevelt,incontrast,patted thenosepokingintothetentbytellingcharityprofessionalsthatreliefwasessential,andthathe didnotopposegovernmentalwelfare.By1919,motherswelfarepensionswereavailablein39 states. HowardTaftsignedabillin1812(theUSChildrensBureau)thatestablishedtheprecedent:the federalgovernment,whichbeforehadtakenononlylimitedfunctionsinpublichealthand education,nowwasinvolvedinbroadquestionsofwelfare.Someorganizationsfoughtforfederal grantstostatesthatsetupmaternalandchildhealthservicesinaccordancewithchildrens bureauspecifications.Somedoctorsattackedhercampaignforstatemedicineandpointedto precedentsbeingset,buttheMaternityandInfancyActalsoknownastheSheppardTownerAct, becamelawin1921.Itprovidedthefirstdirectfederalchildwelfareexpenditures.Theact representedtheadvancementofanideathatwouldreceivegreaterbackingintheSocialSecurity Actof1935,andotherNewDealPrograms. Furthermore,governmentaloutdoorrelief,whichlate19thcenturyreformershadfoughtagainst sohard,madeacomeback.From1911to1925,governmentoutdoorreliefpaymentsin16ofthe largestcitiesincreasedfrom1.6millionto14.7milliondollars.Inaddition,theNational FederationofSettlementscampaignedthroughoutthe1920sfortheconstructionofgovernment housingprojectsHundredsofmillionsofdollarsoughttobedevotedtothispurpose,bymeans ofwhichfind,wellplannedcommunitiescouldbedevelopedaffordingthefinestenvironmentfor thedevelopmentofaphysically,mentallyandmorallysoundcitizenship.

Furthermore,thegrowingcallforandincidenceofgovernmentalactionaccompaniedanewstress onprofessionalisminsocialwork.Somebegantoworrythatprofessionalswerebeingexaltedat theexpenseofthevolunteer,andwerewonderingifitisassumedthatonlyofficialswouldbe permittedtobecharitable.In1911,onecharityleaderremarkedsarcasticallythatsoonsocial workers,likedoctors,willhavetopassanexaminationbeforetheyareallowedtopracticeupon thelivesofthepoor.Hewasrightofcourse. OwenLovejoy,thepresidentoftheNationalConferenceofSocialWorknotedthatmostsocial workersdidnotwishtodefendtheBible,thechurchtheflagortheConstitution.Hearguedthat anewsocialworkreligionwasgrowing,withnewdefinitionstowordspreviouslyquite adequatelyunderstood.Forexample,Lovejoydefinedthecommunionofthesaintsasthe fellowshipofpeoplewhoaredevotedtosomething,thefellowshipofthedevoted,notthe saintswithoutspecifyingtheGodoftheBibleastheobjectofdevotion.Hearguedthatsocial workersandtheiralliesweresocialengineerscapableofcreatingadivineorderonearthasitis heaven.Themodernsocialworkersfaithwasanshouldbeapositive,thoughperhaps unanalyzed,confidenceintheessentialdivinityofeveryman.FormersocialworkerturnedACLU presidentRogerBaldwincalledforacooperativecommonwealththatwouldabolisheconomic classes,povertyandprivilege. Asprofessionalsbegantodominatetherealmofcompassion,volunteersbegantodepart.Asthe citysstewardswithdrewfromthedecisionmakingarena,professionalsconspiredtofurther diminishtheirrole,settingrestrictionsongiftsandreshapingtheprerogativesofboards. Interestedlaymenwereaslikelytobeconsignedtoadeskjobastheyweretobeassignedtoa family,andboardswereremoldedintolittlemorethanfundraisingbodies.Annualreports becamethemiddlemen,andbondingwasreducedtodonorsreceivingphotographsofgrateful clients. Allthisledtoasensethatprivatecharitywasirrelevant.Butthechangewasnotinevitable.In 1933,theformoftheold,andaconsiderablepartofthefunction,remained.But,thequestion was:Howwereprivateprogramsdifferentfromgovernmentprograms?Weretheybasedona differentworldview,adifferentsenseofthenatureofman?Didtheyseespiritualchangeasthe keytomaterialchange,orhadtheyadoptedthebeliefthatthesumofmaniswhatheeatsand wherehelives?Thegeneralsensewasthatmanyreligiousprogramshadeffectivelybeen secularized,andwithittheexcitementofsacrificingtokeepthemgoingwasgone.Thereseemed tobenoreason,exceptconservativestinginess,toopposetheestablishmentofanew,massive governmentsystem.Thereseemedtobelittlereasontotakeseriouslylongstandingconcerns aboutfederalactivities,crowdingoutlocalvolunteereffort. Sadly,justastheDepressionincreaseddemandfrom1929to1932atleastfourhundredofthe nationsprivatewelfareagencieswentunder.Buttheproblemsofsupplywerealsotheresultofa longtermtrendtowardimpersonalcontribution.Philanthropyhadbecomeascoldasthe paymentoftaxesjournalistAlanHerricknoted:Indeedtheobjectivesofthetwoareoftenthe same. Inshort,themovementawayfrompersonalactionwaseasywhenproblemsseemed overwhelming,andwhenCommunityChestemphasisoncashalreadyprovidedtheultimatein bureaucracyananonymouspublicsupportinganonymousmachinerysupportinganonymous clients.Radicalchangewasacceptedbecausethegroundhadlongbeenprepared.TheNewDeal

battlestocomewerewonontheplayingfieldsoftheologicallyliberalseminariesandinthe meetingroomsofprivatecharities. Chapter9SellingNewDealsinOldWineskins Withoutdoubt,theDepressionwasfar,farworsethanpreviouseconomicdislocations.The breadthandlongevityoftheeconomicemergencywasunprecedented,withasurgeinlegitimate needforhelpfarexceedingthatofanypreviousrecession.4outof5applicantstoNewYorks SocialServiceExchangeinJanuary1930wereindividualswhohadneverbeforerequestedrelief. Overallunemploymentrosefrom1.6millionin1929toahighof12.8millionin1933.Therewas, nevertheless,aremarkablewillingnesstogoonthedoleGovernmentwelfareandshamestill wereahorseandcarriageinthepopularmind.Researchersintopopularattitudesfoundan accountantturnedditchdiggersaying,Idratherstayoutinthatditchtherestofmylifethantake onecentofdirectrelief. ThepoliticalimpactofthesebeliefswasthatwhenevertheNewDealemphasizedstraightsubsidy ofthosewhocouldwork,animositytowarditgrew.AhalfcenturyaftertheNewDeal,Kentucky journalistJohnPearcerecalled,IdontthinkiteveroccurredtoanyofusthattheNewDeal legacywouldbeawelfaresystemthattodaysupportsmillionswhohaveneitherprospectnor intentionofearningtheirownliving.Roosevelthimselfacknowledgedthedangerofwelfare programsbecomingahabitwiththecountry,andpledgedtoavoidit. InNovember1933Rooseveltstated,Whenanymanorwomangoesonadolesomethinghappens tothemmentallyandthequickertheyaretakenoffthedole,thebetteritisforthemtherestof theirlives.Andinearly1935headded,Wemustpreservenotonlythebodiesofthe unemployedfromdestitutionbutalsotheirselfrespect,theirselfrelianceandcourageand determination.InthisbusinessofreliefwearedealingwithproperlyselfrespectingAmericansto whomameredoleoutrageseveryinstinctofindividualindependence.MostAmericanswantto givesomethingforwhattheyget.Thatsomething,inthiscasehonestwork,isthesavingbarrier betweenthemandmoraldisintegration.Weproposetobuildthatbarrierhigh. Whethersuchrhetoricwasprotectivecoloringisstilldebatedbyhistorians.Manysocialworkers, however,desiredpermanentprograms,notemergencygapfillers,andsocialworkwasplacedby thedepressionamongtheprimaryfunctionsofgovernment. InFebruary1934,theAASWConferenceonGovernmentalObjectivesforSocialWorkadopteda programwhichstatedthatsocialproblemsariseoutofourfaultydistributionofwealth.Mary vanKleeck,nowdubbedahighpriestessofsocialwelfare,praisedSovietplanningandpresented atconferencespapersthatinsistedonaplannedeconomyasanationaleconomicobjectivefor socialwork.Manysocialworkersdidnotembracethisagendaatfirst,butanewframingofthe socialworkissueswasevident. EduardLindemanpresentedpaperscallingforsocialworkerstobuildanewsocietybasedonthe redistributionofwealth,nationalizationofutilities,currency,creditsandmarginallands,andthe elevationofalargeportionofhousingtothestatusofpublicutility. Thesewereradicalideas,andtogainpopularsupport,itwasvitaltopresentnewprogramsnotas radicalinnovationsbutaseithertemporaryexpedientsorsimpleexpansionsofpastprograms.

 EventhoughtheNewDealpaceslowedoncethecrisisofthe1930swasoverandeventsabroad absorbednationalattention,ideasoffuturestepscontinuedtobouncearound.Attheendofthe 1930sandduringthewarthreesubtlechangespointedAmericatowardauniversalisticwelfare systemthatwouldnotstressworkandworthiness,asdidtheNewDealprograms,atleastin theory. AsanemphasisoncollectiveactiongrewpersonalconscienceintheUShasfallentoanewlowin ourhistoryasanation.Ithasbeenlargelylosttooursightinallthedinandditherthathavebeen raisedaboutthatothermoralconcept,thesocialconscience,which,weareconstantlyreminded, hasanoblerandmorewidelyembracingfunction.And,themorewehearoftheone,thelesswe hearoftheother.Asemphasisonpersonalresponsibilitydecreased,manysocialobservers breathedasighofrelief,fortheysawnopossibilityofsuccessfulpersonalcontactwiththeurban needy.Impersonalgivingseemedinevitable.Manysocialworkleaders,heavilyinfluencedby leftistideas,arguedthatanemphasisonindividualswasatrivialandreactionarypracticethat imposesontheindividualthecruelburdenofadaptinghimselftoapsychoticsociety. Liberaldoctrinesthatupheldtheideaofincomeasentitlement,andshowedlittleinterestin stressingworkorinnotingthedangerofpauperization,becametheconventionalwisdomamong socialworkersandtheirallies. Duringthenext2decadesahostofstudiespurportedtoshowthatwelfarestipendsdidnotharm individualsbyunderminingindependenceandselfrespectandthatthefederalgovernment shouldbethenationwidedispenserofcash.Manybegantoopposeevenbackgroundchecksand insteadproposedthatbenefitsbepaiduponaworkersdeclarationthathewaswithoutworkand thathisfamilywasofagivensize,withoutrecoursetohumiliatinginvestigationseitherofhisown needsandresourcesorofthoseofcloserelatives. Greatstepstowardsacompletesocialrevolutionwereunderway,yetthatrevolutionwasstillto come. Chapter10RevolutionanditsHeartbreak Withdependencystillconsideredsomewhatdishonorablebythegeneralpopulation,government andselfimposedrestrictionsmeantthat,aslateasthemid1960sonlyaboutofthoseeligible forwelfarewerereceivingit,andmanyofthosewhowereenrolledonlytookpartialbenefits.But akeychangetookplaceinthe60s.Itwasnotachangeinbenefitprograms,butratherachangein consciousnessconcerningestablishedones,withgovernmentofficialsapprovingandeven advocatingnotonlylargerpayoutsbutawaronshame. Twoprominentauthorswrotethatanyemphasisonpersonalresponsibilityforeconomic problemsshouldbeopposed.Thereshouldbenopenaltyforablebodiedandmentallycompetent individualswho,forwhateverreason,wereunabletoholdajoborspendtheirmoneysensibly,or otherwiserisetothechallengesofsocialresponsibility.Personalityflawshadsocialorigins,and inanyevent,socialjusticerequiredanendtoscrutinyofbehavior,sincetheoriginofeconomic orsocialneedisfarlessimportantthanthefactofitsexistence.

Vestigesofpastpracticeweretobefoughtasthedriveforuniversaleconomicandsocialsecurity continued.Allgroups,whetherstateorprivate,weretouniteinapushformore.AFord FoundationstudyshowedhowTheeliminationofpovertyiswellwithinthemeansoffederal, stateandlocalgovernments.Thereport,assumingthatamaterialfixcouldwipeoutpoverty, arguedthatpovertycouldbeabolishedsimplybyastrokeofthepen.Toraiseeveryindividual andfamilyinthenationnowbelowsubsistenceincometothesubsistencelevelwouldcostbut $10billionayear.Thatislessthan2percentoftheGNP.Itislessthan10percentoftax revenues. Ifmoneycouldchangewaysofthinking,thenMichaelHarringtonwasrightwhenhewrotethat onlyoneagencyinAmericaiscapableoferadicatingboththeslumandtheslumpsychologyfrom thisland;theFederalGovernment.LyndonJohnsoncalledthefightagainstpovertyan investmentinthefuture.Asinthepast,thisinvestmentwillreturnitscostmanyfoldtoourentire economy.Excitementreignedin1964and1965duringtheimmenselegislativemovesofLBJ TheEconomicOpportunityAct,foodstamplegislation,Medicare,Medicaid,publicworks programs,andsoon.Drivenbysuchfaith,theWhiteHousemoodwas,inthewordsofLBJ biographerDorisGoodwinPassthebillnow,worryabouteffectsandimplementationlater. Theunfortunatemainlinetheologicalmessageofthe1960amongbothChristiansandJewswhich prevailedasthatpovertywassociallycausedandcouldthusbesociallyeliminated.Materialistic thinkingwasdominant.Thewaytoeliminatepovertyistogivethepoorpeopleenoughmoney sothattheywontbepooranymore.Thissanguinityallowedpeopletoignorethekey contributionoftheWaronPoverty:thedeliberateattempttouncouplewelfarefromshameby changingattitudesofbothwelfarerecipientsandthebetteroff.Butintheend,GreatSociety legislation,notsomuchbyextendingbenefitsasbyfundingadvocatestochangethat consciousness,helpedseverwelfareshameinthemindsofmanydoleholders. Whenrealityinevitablyfellshortofovertherainbowpromisesofabolishingpoverty,anger flared.Thepovertyprogramwasalmostworsethannothingatall.saidDetroitMayerJerome Cavanaughashelookedoverhisriotscarredcityin1967.Weveraisedexpectationsand haventbeenabletodeliver.Soon,TimeMagazinewasreportingsthattheworldsrichestnation seemscaughtinaparadoxicaltrap:themoretheU.S.spendsonthepoor,thegreatertheneed seemstobetospendstillmore.Thiswasexactlywhatthoseinthelate1800spredicted. Soonaradicalgrouppromotingwelfarerightsemerged.TheNWRO(NationalWelfareRights Org.)Theybegansharplycriticizinggovernmentfornotdoingenough!Theylookedforsupport fromblackchurchesandwhiteconservativetheologians.Theyalsogotsomesupportfrom mainstreamoldlinechurcheswhowereslippingintheirorthodoxconvictions.TheyNWROalso founditselfreceivingsupportfromthefederalgovernmentandlocalandstatewelfareinstitutions theverypeopletheywereattacking! FrancisSchaefferwarnedthatChristiansshouldavoidgivingmorepowertothemonolithic monsterofabloatedstate,andinsteademphasizethecompassionateuseofaccumulatedwealth. Butfewheededthiswarning. Soon,withallthelegalhorsepowerrevvedup,rulesthatallowedcategorizationanddiscernment tasksthatgovernmentofficialswerenotlikelytohandlewellevenwithoutenormouspressure werenomore.Rulesthatwelfareofficials,withoutextensivehearings,coulddecideaperson

employableandrequirehimtotakeajob,werestruckdown.RulesthatwomenreceivingAFDC couldnothaveamaninthehousewerestruckdown.Rulesthatrecipientssuspectedoffraud hadtoanswerquestionsorelsefacepossiblelossofsubsidy,werestruckdown.Awelfareofficial whodemandedrecipientstopresentinformationthatmightreducetheirgrantswasseenas violatingtheir5thAmendmentrights.Andwelfarebenefitswereseenasanewformofproperty, deservingthesamelegalprotectingasearnedorinheritedproperty! Sitinsandsleepinsatwelfaredepartmentsmadethelivesofadministratorsdifficult,andthey oftentendedtocavein.Theresultwasawelfarepopulationexplosion.Acceptancesrosesharply inthemiddleandlate60s,andclientprotestswereundoubtedlyonecause.Duringthe50srolls roseby17%.Duringthe60s,107%,with75%ofthatcomingjustfrom6568whichwasatime ofgreatprosperityanddiminishingunemployment. Instantexplanationsforthatexplosionvaried:somespokeofcontinuedmigrationoftheblack poorfromtheSouthandothersnotedthedeteriorationofblackfamilystructure.Allofthesehad animpact,butstudiesshowedthat,surprisingly,thesizeofthepoolofeligiblepeopledidnot changemuchduringthoseyears.Themajorchangewasthatamuchhigherpercentageofthose whowereeligiblesuddenlydecidedtotakeadvantageofwelfarebenefits.Anincreaseinformal benefitlevelsandasimplificationoftheprocessofenrollmenthadsomeimpact,butofficials observedthataprimereasonforthesurgewasachangingoutlookamongmanypoorandthe nearpoor.TheyhadbeentaughtbyorganizersthatwelfareisNothingtobeashamedof. Yetasthesmokeclearedin1971,TimeMagazinelookedatthepricetagincash,andothers lookedatthepriceinlives.BothgroupsnotedthatGreatSocietycompassionsatisfiesnoone; underthesystemitisunblessedbothtogiveandtoreceive. ChapterElevenQuestionsofthe70and80s By1980itwasclearthattheentitlementrevolutionhadcreatedseveralbiglosers.LBJsadvisors warnedin1964thatthepovertyrateintheABSENSEofactioncouldbeashighas13%by 1980.After16yearsofmultibilliondollarprograms,thepovertyrateattheendofthatyearwas 13%. Lackofmobilitywasnotcausedbylackofopportunitythedramaticsuccessesofimmigrants fromAsisandCubaduringrecentdecadesshowthat.Thosewhoadoptedthetraditionalwork hardandrisepatternofstayingoutofthewelfaresystemusuallysucceededinrisingbynative bornAmericanswhotookadvantageofthepreferredliberalitystayedput. Anotherbigloserwastheremnantofprivateorganizationswhocontinuedtochallengepeople. EarlVautin,amissionleadernotedthatrescuemissionsareseenasjustanotherwelfare program.Themenwhocometousconfuseuswiththewelfaredepartment.Amanfeelsthe missionisnotreallydoingitsjobunlesshegetswhathethinksheissupposedtoget.Nowthisis theattitudeoftheclientandnottheattitudeofamanseekingloveandfriendshipandspiritual help.Theearlymissiondidnothavethistocontendwiththisfeelingthattheworldowesmea living.Thosewhocome,iftheywanttoimprovetheirlives,mustbepreparedtotakethefirst step.Theattritionrateishigh.Themissioncouldeasilykeepamanlongerbyputtinglessofan emphasisonreligionorbyrelaxingsomeofitsotherrulesButfew,ifany,menwouldbe rehabbedeithersociallyorspiritually.

 Thosewhoreceivedfoodandlodgingwereexpectedtodosimplechoressuchasmakingbeds, cleaningfloors,orhelpinginthekitchenbutmanyhomelessmentoldVautinthatotherhelping placesrequirednothing.Themissioncontinueditsoneononeapproach,buttheWaronPoverty demandedmassivebodycounts. The3rdbigloserintheentitlementrevolutionwasmarriage.Priortothe1960s,marriagewas bothasocialandeconomiccontract,viewedineconomicterms,itwasancompassionate antipovertydevicethatofferedadultsaffiliationandchallengeasitprovidedtwoparentsfor raisingchildren.Inthe1960sanunmarriedwomanwhobecamepregnantusuallywouldget married;85%ofteenagedmothersinthe50sweremarriedbythetimetheirbabieswereborn. Thosewhodidnotwanttomarryhadasecondacceptableoptionadoption.Fewerthan1/10 pregnantwomenchosesingleparenthood,fortheyfearedsocialostracismandlackedinstitutional andfinancialsupport.Inthe60showever,asgovernmentalobligationstosinglemothers increased,maritalobligationsdecreased. Overall,culturalchangesthatglorifiedunrestrainedsexualityminimizedtheimportanceof marriage,andacceptedsingleparentingandeasydivorce,wereatremendousblowtothepoor. Dreamsdiedquicklyamongsomesocialworkerswhohadbeenintheforefrontofchange.Soon, theywerereportingcompassionfatigue.Yearafteryear,newidealistsreplacedburnedout victims.Dreamsalsodiedascompassionfatiguedeepenedamongmanywhohadatleast practicedthecompassionofthecheckbook.Individualgivingasaproportionofpersonal incomedropped13%between1960and1976.Theproportionofphilanthropicgivingdevotedto socialwelfaredeclinedfrom15%to6%. Bythemid70s,governmentsspent10timesasmuchonsocialservicesasnonprofitagenciesand thenonprofitagenciesthemselvesreceivedhalfoftherevenuesfromgovernments. Dreamsespeciallydiesamongmanypoorindividualsthemselves.Theysawthatmasspauperism wasacceptedandpressuretoleavewelfarewasveryslight.Sometimes,those(formerlyknownas worthypoor)whowerewillingtoputoffimmediategratificationandsacrificeleisuretimein ordertoremainindependent,werecalledchumpsratherthanchamps. Astheentitlementrevolutioncreatedmoreandmorenegativeresults,someacademicsand journalistsredoubledtheirdefensesofit,butotherssearchedforguiltyparties.Itwaseasyto blamebureaucracy.Itwasclearlyaproblem,butwouldlesspaperworkhavemadethesystem work?No,becausebehindthepaperstoodapovertywallthatreducedincentiveandcontributed tothecreationofanewcaste,theDependentAmericans. Compassionbecamenothingmorethanacatchphrasetotrytoraisemoney.MickeyKausinThe NewRepublicnotedthatAmericanswerenowsupposedtohavecompassionfortheunmotivated delinquentwhowouldrathersmokePCPthanwork.Compassionmakesfewdistinctionswere allinCuomosfamilywhichiswhyapoliticsbasedonmassproducedcompassionleads naturallytotheindiscriminatedispensingofcashinasortofallpurposesocializedUnitedWay campaign.CompassionhasbecometheallpurposeDemocraticpassword.Thewordshouldbe banned.

Howeverthewordonlygainedpopularity,especiallyrelatedtotheissueofhomelessness. Throughthedecadeofthe70stheWashingtonPostcontinuedtousethewordcompassionasa euphemismformoreheavilyfunded.ProfessorDwightLeeconcludedThenotionthat compassiontowardthepoorrequiresfavoringexpansionofgovernmenttransferprogramshas achievedthestatusofrevealedtruth.In1985,LarryBurkett,apopularevangelicalwriteron economicissues,called,indiscriminategivingofgovernmentwelfarethecauseofpermanent dependenceandpoverty. Sadly,theevangelicalorchestrawasproducingcacophonyjustasnewharmonieswere desperatelyneeded.TheNewYorkTimesprofiledthefrustrationofmainlineministersininner citychurches:MosthavebeeninfluencedbyLiberationTheologywhichfusesChristianand Marxistutopianism. Asthe80scametoanend,thewordcompassionwasbeingusedevenmorelooselythanever. Inonemonthin5majornewspapers,thewordwasused300times,largelyasasynonymfor leniency. TheOxfordDictionarygives,astheoriginaldefinitionofcompassion,sufferingtogetherwith another,participationinsufferingButinthe20thecenturyaseconddefinitionbecamecommon: thefeelingoremotion,whenapersonismovedbythesufferingofanother,andbyadesireto relieveit. Thereisaworldofdifferencebetweenthetwodefinitions.Onedemandsaction,theothera feeling,thatrequiresawillingnesstosendacheck. Wordsshapeourideas,andtheshiftingdefinitionofcompassionhassoshapedourunderstanding thattheNewYorkTimesusuallyasticklerforpreciselanguage,printsoxymoronicphrasessuch ascompassionateobserver. WecelebrateAmericaasacompassionate,caringsociety,butmostofusareactuallystingynot becausewerefusetospendmoregovernmentmoney(wearedoingquitewelltherethankyou), butbecausewenolongerofferthepoorourtimeorachallenge.Ourwillingnesstodososhows whetherwecareforhearts,minds,andsouls,orjustbodiesandasasocietywefailthetest. Thenextchapterwilltakethetwomostdifficultproblemsabandonedwomenandchildren,and homelessness,andshowhowadifferentviewofcompassioncanmakeamajordifferenceinlives. Chapter12PuttingCompassionintoPractice Nowherehasthemovementawayfromtruecompassion,anditsemphasisonaffiliationand bonding,beenmoreevidentandmoretragicthanintheareaofunmarriedpregnancy.The provisionofpublicassistancefacilitatedmovementtoindependenthouseholdheadship, particularlywhenincreasedbenefitswereprovidedtowomenforestablishingseparate households.Bytheendofthe80sthiswasacleardisaster,especiallyforpoorblacks.Columnist WilliamRaspberrywrote,IfIcouldofferasingleprescriptionforthesurvivalofAmerica,and particularlyofblackAmerica,itwouldbe:Restorethefamily.

Youcansendinsocialworkersandschoolteachersandclergytotellayoungmalethatwhenhe growsupheshouldbeagoodfathertohischildren,buthedoesnotknowwhatitmeansunless hesseenit.Millionsofchildrendonotknowandwillneverknowwhatitmeanstohaveafather. Theydonotknowanyonewhohasafather. Nevertheless,attheendofthe80sprogramscontinuedtosubsidizeandencourageattemptsat autonomy.WhatyoungwomenneedistoughloveANDsupport.Therearescatteredexamplesof thathappening,buttheyarerare. WorkingwithyoungfathersImoredifficultbecausetheyrarelyseethemselvesashelpless.In fact,evenwhenhomeless,theyhaveaccesstoenormousamountsofhelpofferedformallyand informally.ShortlybeforeChristmas89,aWashPostreporterinterviewed8menlivinginatent madebytyingatarpoveragratethatspewedhotair.Henotedthemenhadsleepingbags,gloves, scarves,boots,andlotsoffoodpartytrayswithchickenandturkey,fruit,boxesofcrackers, popcorn,cannedgoodsalldonatedbypassersby.Someofthemenwerefathers,buttheywere notspendingChristmaswiththeirchildren. Mostsheltersprovidehelptoall,regardlessofcircumstances.In1990,oneshelterinNYwas reprimandedforproposingthatvisitorstothemenscenternotbeallowedtocrossdress.They weretoldthattheyhaveamisconceptionaboutwhatsheltersareabout.Theyarenotthereto shapethebehavioroftheclients. Wealsoneedtoconsidertheissuesofmentalillnessregardingthehomeless.Estimatesneedto betakenskeptically,andweneedtomovefromsentimentalitytoclearthinking.TheDSMIIIR listsalcoholandsubstanceabuseasamentaldisorder,asindeedtheyare,butnotinthe psychiatricsense.But,itshouldbepointedoutthatmentalhealthbudgetsdependondiagnosing patientsasmentallyill,sosomeonewhoisbasicallynastyoraggressiveisnowlabeledas IntermittentExplosiveDisorder(DSM312.34)AbouttheonlydiagnosisrarelyseenisNone DSMV71.09) Thesolutiontomostoftheseproblemsonlyseemsdifficultbecauseofapervasiveunwillingness tocategorize.Basiccategorizationshowsthattheseveralhundredthousandhomelessinclude,on oneend,thosewhoarementallyillandcannotfunctionbythemselves,andontheotherend,those abandonedwomenandchildrenwhoarenotyetwithinthewelfaresystem,alongwithafewhard luckmenwhowouldfunctionperfectlywelliftheyhadbetterhousingandajob.TheMumbling Majorityofthehomeless,however,aremenwhoarealone,orwhohavebeentolditisfinetobe alone,andwhohavebecomeusedtoreceivingsubsidyintheirchosenlifestyle.Mostofthe homelessaresubstanceabusers.Manyhavefamilies,butdonotwanttobewiththem. Thegreatertheservices,thelargerthenumber.Thegreaterthemonetaryvalueofthebenefits, thelargerthenumberofpeoplewillingtoconsiderhomelessnessasaviableoption.Many Americanshavenotattainedthisinsightbecausetheyrelyonthemediatedcompassionofferedby journalistswhoarephilosophicallycommittedtoSocialUniversalismandareprofessionally involvedwiththeproductionofsentimentality. TheGospelMissionininnerD.C.hasworkedwonders.DirectorLincolnBrookssays,we challengethem.Wedontpatthemonthebackandsayitssocietysfault.Theyhavetoownupto theirfaults.Thereisnofreeride.Ifaguysdrunkandcomesinthedoor,hecancomein,buthis

bottlestaysout.Ifhesobnoxious,wemakehimwalkaroundtheblockuntilhesobersup.Useus, butdontabuseus,wesay.Werelongsuffering,butwewillconfrontthealcoholic.Sometimeswe takeapictureoftheguypassedoutonthestreet,andshowittohimwhenhesobersupto challengehim.Itssickeningtoseeagrownmanbummingandbegging.Wehavetoputthe pressureonthem.Thisisdifficult,becauseonlyafewblocksawayisanothershelterthatapplies nopressure.Again,badcompassiondrivesoutgood. Chapter13ApplyingHistory Whenthepilgrimscametothenewworldin1620,theysawbeforethemahideousanddesolate wilderness.Theysetaboutturningwildernessintoneighborhood,andspentmostoftheirdays atworkandtheirnightswithfamily.TheyreadtheBible,includingaccountsofGodrejecting thosewhorefusedtochange,andblessingthosewhodid.Compassionwasamutualobligation betweenman,Godandfellowman.Individualsandchurchescaredforwidowsandorphans,and otherswhoweredestitutebydisasterorunabletohelpthemselves.Thosewhowantedtohelp knewhowtodosoeffectively.Theyformedorganizationstoexpandneighborhoodandmakesure wildernessdidnotcreepbackin.Theyemphasizedpersonalcontactwiththepoorandrefusedto settleforfeedandforgetpractices.Effortswereeffective. Butthroughoutthe19thcentury,therockofcompassionunderwenterosion.Itwasmostly theologicalerosion:thebeliefthatsinfulman,lefttohimself,wouldreturntowilderness,seemed harshlypessimistic.Overtime,itbecamecustomarytoarguethatonlythegovernmenthadthe potentialtocreateanenvironmentthatwouldsaveall,andthosethatweretrulycompassionate shouldrallybehindthecreationofnewprograms. Inthe20thcentury,thewaronpovertywasadisasternotsomuchbecauseofnewprogramsbut becauseoftheemphasisonentitlement.Effortsatcategorizingthepoorintoworthyorunworthy wereviewedascruel.Thosewhoopposedtaxationtohelpthepoorwerealsoviewedascruel. Asitstands,manygovernmentagenciesandprivatecharitiesaredispensingaidindiscriminately; indoingsotheyignorethemoralandspiritualneedsofthepoorandareunabletochangelives. Itstimewestartmanagingbyresults,evenifthatmeansturningsocialservicestothoseprivate institutionsthatemphasizechallengingcompassion.Therearenoshortcutsinfightingpoverty. Itstimetolearnfromthewarmheartsandhardheadsofearliertimes,andtobringthat understandingintoourownlives.