by Jerry Agar

During the war with England Benjamin Franklin was America's Minister to France.  He was sent there in 1776 to negotiate aid, in money, weapons and troops.

Franklin wrote, "In my opinion the surest way to obtain liberal aid from others is vigorously to help ourselves.  People fear assisting the negligent, the indolent and the careless, lest the aid they afford should be lost.  A small increase of industry in every American, male and female, with a small diminution of luxury, would produce a sum far superior to all we could hope to beg or borrow from all our friends in Europe."

Does the wise counsel of America's "Founding Grandfather" inform the elected populations of Springfield and Washington, DC today?

The health bill lumbers ominously along under the guidance of people who have declared health insurance and health care to be a right, for which the recipient need do nothing.

Nancy Pelosi, who has never, so far as I know, scolded anyone for leading a careless, unhealthy lifestyle, declared the recent 2% profit margin in the health insurance business, "immoral profit."

Governor Quinn, in stumping for a tax increase, admonished those who asked for some government efficiency as people who would coldly throw old ladies and sick children to the curb.  He said nothing of young ladies preparing for their own old age or parents looking after their children.

America is a generous country in both public and private charity.  We are not a people to leave the sick and indigent dying in the cold, should they desire help.  But we have always been a nation that prizes individual effort and responsibility.  The Lord helps those who help themselves.  Sometimes He does it through the good works of caring Americans.

Ben Franklin knew that it is best to advance charity to those who show appreciation and who are also doing what they can.  It is not too much to ask.  Our well-being is not a right that we can expect to enjoy at the expense of others.  It is a responsibility we have to ourselves.

If we continue to work our way from "can-do" nation to welfare state, we'll soon be back begging the French for help.