Eye of the Needle

My belief system is such that I believe that happiness in life (and death for that matter) is mostly dependant on how we treat others, especially those in need. This not only means money matters, but helping people in whatever they need. I call it Charity(as would probably everyone reading this blog).
Right now in this country there seems to be a division of thought.
1- People should pay taxes to go to charitable causes, or
2- People should not pay "charitable" taxes, and hope that they contribute of their own free will.

I firmly believe in #2, although that leaves the charitable support of this nations poor to the charitable demeanor of the general populace. Government officiators hate this system, because it leaves too much to chance, and not enough recognition to themselves for giving to the poor (albeit giving from tax payers).

In an article by Katherine Mangu-Ward from Reason online talks about Joe Bidens vision of the system.

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), for instance, seems concerned about adequate
patriotism on the part of people in households making over $250,000. They need
to pay more taxes, he said this week: "It's
time to be patriotic...time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to
help get America out of the rut."
Could it be that Biden is a real, live, walking, talking straw man?
Advocates of personal responsibility and private charity love to hold up this
particular character for inspection: the guy who believes that state welfare
programs exempt him from the obligation to personal charity. The guy who
believes that paying mandatory taxes and making private donations are one and
the same. I've always been skeptical that such a character exists. But here we
have him, in the gleaming golden flesh.
Lest there be room for doubt, Biden
stuck by his remarks and tacked on, "Catholic social doctrine as I was
taught it is, you take care of people who need the help the
most."

And people accuse Sarah Palin as a religious zealot.

When Biden released his tax returns last week, many jumped on his none-too-impressive
record of charitable giving. Despite income somewhere in the $210,432 to
$321,379 category during the last 10 years (rich!),
the Bidens have given between $120 to $995 to charity annually, between 0.06
percent and 0.31 percent of their income. The average taxpayer bringing in more
than $200,000 makes over $20,000 of charitable contributions, according to the
IRS.
Last year, the tax returns of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) show charitable
giving of 27.3 percent to 28.6 percent of his income.

I really believe that the success and prosperity of our country depends on the values of it's people, and that charitable giving is paramount. I also think that those with the most (or even just more) should give more, just not more taxes. Everybody needs to contribute, not only for the betterment of society, country, government, but also for themselves.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:(Luke
12:48)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mathew 19:24)