< What would make your job more satisfying? | Main | Should candidates for public office disclose their mental health history? >

Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?

Posted at 5:00 AM on January 11, 2010 by Eric Ringham (102 Comments)
Filed under: Religion/Ethics

The Great American Think-Off, a philosophy contest run by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, has announced its debate question for 2010. And it gives us Today's Question: Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?

Comments texted to MPR:

Yes, but it's better to let the rich give of their own free will. Forced giving via the government is not true giving and breeds resentment and overdependence. -Chris, Bloomington, MN

The wealthy do not have a special obligation to help the poor - rather, we all have an obligation to help each other. -Sean, Burnsville, MN

The rich have no obligation to give to the poor, but as a practical matter, they would be wise to do so. In any community, a wide disparity in standard of living leads to discontent, and poverty leads to crime; the rich dwell in the same communities, and you would think they would want them to be nicer overall. Moreover, in a democratic society, the govt, being of and for all the people, has an obligation to tax the rich in order to keep communities clean and safe, and to give everyone education and opportunity. History has proven repeatedly that the rich do NOT give sufficiently of their own free will; Alexander Hamilton recognized this, and said something like, " the reason we need laws is because mankind is greedy and selfish." ( not exact quote, clearly. You can look it up.) -Natalie Roberts, Edina, MN

Yes the wealthy are part of our great society and bear a greater responsibly. -Andrew, Rochester, MN

Of course there is no obligation... But we should hope there would be the kindness and love for others that compels us to do such things! -anonymous

I think if rich became rich off the poor, say, selling low priced goods to the masses, they should help those who gave them their fortune. -Maggie, Lindstrom, MN

We all have an obligation to help the poor! Yes, including the rich but lower and middle class people when possible also. -Tony Probasco, St Paul, MN

What do you define as 'giving'? All humanity has a responsibility to give to each other. -Lisa, Howard Lake, MN

Yes the rich do have an obligation to help the poor. Usually the rich will recoup money used to help the poor because the poor have to spend. -Kenny, Grand Rapids, MN

Comments (102)

ma numesc alina.sintem o familie de saraci.traim intro camera de chirpici.nu avem loc de munca si traim din un somaj de 2 milioane lei vechi.avem nevoie doar de 2mii de euro pentru a ne face ce trebuie la aceasta camera.daca va este mila de noi si doriti sa ne ajutati adresa noastra este loc sadova ,nr 2426 jud dolj.va multumesc.

Posted by florea alina daniela | May 25, 2012 6:35 AM

Posted by florea alina daniela | May 25, 2012 6:30 AM

Posted by florea alina daniela | May 25, 2012 6:27 AM

Posted by florea alina daniela | May 25, 2012 6:26 AM

I AM A PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED LADY AGED 57 .I REQUEST & BEG ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS TO HELP ME TO RUN THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT U GIVE THIS POOR LADY.LIKE FEW DROPS OF WATER MAKES A MIGHTY OCEAN THE SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH U CAN DONATE TO MY LIVING HELP ME TO LIVE A HAPPY LIVING.AWAITING YOUR EARNEST REPLY WITH THE FINANCIAL HELP.CONTACT g.shen6002@gmail.com
THANKING U & OBLIGE
SHEN

Posted by NAACHIYAAR AMMAN | May 1, 2012 10:58 AM

Good morning my name is muhammed I am from the family of seven my father is a car mechanic and my mother teaches in a primary school and we all stay in a house of 2 rooms where we rent and the thing is that some times we find it to hard to eat 2times in a day because of the nature of our enviroment and because of that I hard to be drop out of school which pains me all the time I think of it or to see my friends which we all started to gether progressing while I am left behind so pls I am praying to God to pls provide some one out there for me and my family plsss

Posted by muhammed | March 4, 2012 1:25 AM

sorry but forgot to give me e-mail mamahasadream12@yahoo.com thanks all

Posted by kathy smith | February 8, 2012 4:01 PM

oh sorry i forgot you can contact me on this mamahasadream12@yahoo.com..thanks everyone

Posted by kathy smith | February 8, 2012 3:55 PM

Hi , if their is anyone tht wants to help someone i just really need money cuz i am poor i struggle everyday,my husband has LBD and i care for him at home and between us both we dont get alot of money..i would just like to have money just to enjoy alittle things like go to the beach sometimes not have to worry what am i gonna do tomorrow..i dont wanna be rich i would just like to have money just to enjoy simple things like paying my lite bill with out splitting it into to payments pay off 1400.dollars thts owed on my car and maybe own me a small american dream(house)of my own one day, nothing fancy just a small house here in nc, but i am getting older and i feel my american dream is never coming,i rent at 625.monthly and its so hard lately just to enjoy a everyday life..so if there is anyone you can contact me ..hopefully someone out there tht will..thanks-for reading my little wish..sincerely kathy smith

Posted by kathy smith | February 8, 2012 3:50 PM

Здравствуйте! У меня не полная семья, дочка студентка, другая дочь одинокая мама и сын синдром Дауна, может быть, у кого возникнет желание нам помочь немного материально, примем с большёй благодарностью. golovs@yandex.ru

Posted by Lyubov | January 27, 2012 1:36 PM

a person should be able to choose where his money goes whether he is wealthy or not, it doesnt matter but when someone is in desperate need they should be helped by anyone who can.

Posted by tom | January 11, 2012 8:37 AM

Hi,
I am a poor man who need financial assistance from rich people, if you can give me extra cash. I would be able to survive with my son.
I and my son are jobless due to poor health. My wife have separated from me since 2009 and leave us in the lurch.
Both my parents have passed away.
I am suffering from diabetes, anxiety and depression. I need to see doctor urgently for my medical check-up and my daily medication have finished. My son also suffering from asthma and skin problem, every time he go out he have to bring along his inhaler and his daily medication also finished. We have nobody to turn to for urgent financial help. Without daily income, we cannot survive and buy our medicines surely will die from hunger and sickness.
We need money $5000 today so that we can pay our outstanding bills and seeing doctor for check-up and buy medicines. Please help me by depositing money immediately in my POSB bank saving account. I am giving particulars of my POSB bank saving account so that you can deposit $5000 + $13,000 = total is $18,000 immediately your begging in my account. Name of the account holder: NG SONG HEH RICHARD – POSB Saving bank account number: 062-40410-8.
My son need $13,000 today to pay the school fee to ITC and University of London (UOL) now for him to attend the full time course on UOL Diploma in Law next year April, 2012. Thereafter, we need $5000 on every month to pay our daily living expenses, monthly bills and medical compulsory which I trust you will help me by sending it to my said bank account.
Our New Year and Chinese New Year is coming soon and we everyday very worried and daily living in fear about no money on hand to celebrate this happy occasion.
Please any rich people or kind hearted person help us instantly.
Looking forward to hear from you a good news shortly.
Thank you for your understanding and co-

Posted by Richard | December 25, 2011 3:23 PM

Dear Sir//Madam
How was your days?Hope fine. I am the patient of Brain I have all my medical reports.If you want then I will show you.Please sir I need some money for treatment.Please Sir help me I need very much.My address is House#55/1,Street#1,Jinnahabad,Mandian,Abbottabad,N.W.F.P,Pakistan.And my email address is lionking4020022002@yahoo.com
With Regards
Waqas Riaz
0092-334-8960757

Posted by waqas riaz | November 28, 2011 11:00 AM

i am a very poorman. I have no house of my own. Every day we have to work very hard to take care of our daily needs. I need some money to help me in educating my sons(2). Plz help me to educate my sons so that they can take care of us.
I will be grateful to you for your help for the whole of my life.

Thanking you
Rajesh

Posted by RAJESH KUMAR | November 7, 2011 1:21 AM

Dear Sir, I am living in Pakistan I have no home for living and having a tough time. I need $50000 for purchasing home sir can you help me financially my email address is miskhi@hotmail.com
Sir I am waiting for your reply God bless you.

Posted by shahbaz | October 16, 2011 6:00 AM

bisa bantu saya yg lagi butuh bantuan

Posted by IRWANTO | October 15, 2011 3:31 AM

i ma Gaushiya bano from India. i want help in my study. i have taken admission in engg. college but i am unable to go.my college has prov vied four day time to me but lack of money i am unable to go. sir please reply today at my mail id or my contact no 9525595125.sir i have no way that way i am contact to you.you help to most of people but if you help one poor family student i am very great full to you.please sir in two days. if you help i will be very great full to you.i am belonging from poor family.my father is an hawker.we are living at rent house that's way no bank prov vied lone to me.i am try very but no result i w ill suit if no way come to me in front of me.sir please help me i am waiting you sir.

Posted by gaushiya bano | October 11, 2011 5:10 AM

i love god more than my own life sometimes god cannt help us but he says let it be done on earth as it is in heaven. i have no right to ask for anyones money that they earned i am sorry for asking.god says let this be his will.god bless you all for your help.it s time to start
a new time cause god knows this time on earth is all comimg to an end.i want to be on the good side and not the bad i want god to approve of what i did on earth that is worthed for his judgement.for when he judge me he will know i did try to do good.

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 3:15 PM

i have read alot of adds and there are still people out there that are good and not all the rich are mean or greedy.its just that we have to ask for help.thats why i am asking for financial help.i do not steal from any one but i will accept financial help so if you rich can help me my family will be forever greatful.god bless

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 3:03 PM

hello i know god have heard my pleas and he will find someone that can help financially.i am an american and cannt even get enough help from the people .where are the rich ones with so much money why have they not heard a poor womans cries.god bless.

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 2:59 PM

hello again i am sorry for keep asking for money.fincially i need help i will not give up asking.one day god will hear my prayers and he will send me an angel that will come to my aid.god bless.

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 2:55 PM

yes its not easy to ask for help but when you
turn to a rich person to ask for fincial help they always say no. i will not beg cause its not my way i do prayb to our lord that someone will hear my prayers and they will answer not cause of my asking but of their careing .its alot to ask but help me so i can help my family that so despartly need fincial help.god bless and thank you.

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 2:49 PM

its us that are the poor and yes i do wish i was one of the rich peoople to know how they live.its hard to be poor wont one rich person help us we are not evil or bad just poor.give till it hurts.

Posted by pearl quintal | January 26, 2011 2:44 PM

Sir,
Please help me. My name is Waqas and i live in Pakistan. Sir i need one lake dollar (100000$)on urgent basis. My mother is very ill. Sir i am a very poor person and i cannot bear the cost of mother’s treatment and doctor fee. Sir i love his mother very much. Sir i have no contact number of you so i use this way. sir please please please help me. Please sir help me for God. Please. Sir my biodata is under.

Name Waqas
Account No 010-5711-0
Bank Name UBL Bank Satiana Road Branch
Faisalabad, Pakistan
Bank Code 0517

Sir I wait your help. Sir Please Please help me.

From.
Waqas

Posted by waqas | January 19, 2011 11:54 PM

I am a very poorman. I have no hause. Every day my family live in open space. About six month search I found this address. Plz help me to make a house. I am greatful holelife of you.
Thanking you
sisir

Posted by Sisir Kumar Panda | November 7, 2010 10:02 AM

if i had the money i would be rich for sure i would give to a mom and daughter to buy helios legbraceses so they could walk,look up ortho rehab design and see if you would help if you had c.m.t like the girl in the video we do.we dont know what it is like to go to the store without people stairing or making fun og laughing at us we have been humilated for a long time.we would love to be normal it hurts in a lot of ways.we are not well off enough to pay 22,000.00 for both of us to get the helios.or pay for the one week in another state to be fitted,let alone room and board and food.we watch the video and cry our heart out we need them so bad.we are proud for the girl that has them.everything seems so out of our reach.we do good to make it from momth to month .and for some reason no one wonts to help us i wrote the president,opra.and ellen and the govner and everyone i could think of.i guess everyone is as poor as we are.it would be nothing short of a merical

Posted by angela gibson | November 6, 2010 3:49 PM

It is rather funny how the poor always want everyone's else money and none of the responsibility. Yes I'm wealthy, a self made millionaire at a young age. It was not easy to achieve it, and it is not easy to keep it.

I get up every day and have the same concerns as any other person or parent has about life, money, success, and keeping that wealth and success, especially in this economy.

It's irks me when people think they have some god given right to take from others just because they have more. Is it right to see a farmer with a large field of crops and say "You have plenty of crops, lets take it from you". No its not, that's out right stealing, and its the same when you look at my field of Benjamins.

My capital is used to create jobs, build new ventures and take risk. With less of it, I have to take less risk and hire less people.

If I want to give money, then I want to give it to the people that I feel should get it, not the people that want to come into my life, my home, and claim it as theirs because of mob rule.

We should all have the same level of responsibility to help each other. Otherwise you create a divide within people that will only build strong dislike for each other.

Posted by Joe Wealthy | September 7, 2010 6:56 AM

is there a rich person out there willing to give a woman they never met 25,000.00 to buy her and her daughter helios leg braceses,if they knew it would change there life and they could live a much happier life because they gave?we hav asked so many people and after three years of asking no one offered.is it because no one cares anymore,?we all have hearts and souls but some are more carring then others.should i give up on us walking outside and doing our own shopping and depending on waiting for help.should i stop asking for money for the helios?is it a waste of time?what would you do?do you belive there is help out there?

Posted by ang | June 16, 2010 4:50 PM

praise god jesus name i greet you all i bless you all (num 6v24-26)
this is very imp mesage we need urgent help for poor people slum people street children people for food, cloth, water, bible books for all ministry need,
we have small ministry for this helping to poor people our team name '' JESUS GOSPEL MINISTRIES''
dear blessed people people all your prayers support, if you like to help to our poor people ministry i will send to my email my bank a/c no=
this is my email = sureshdavid777@gmail.com
my bank a/c no ( SBI A/C NO, 300 7481 3665) THIS IS RP ROAD, , HYDERABAD CITY ,INDIA.
AP STATE. MY CELL 9502037107 THANK YOU ALL LOVE IN BANK MY NAME (P. SURESH)

Posted by p.suresh | June 11, 2010 12:49 PM

Thank you for your comments.. but i believe that when an individual becomes wealthy he or she is obligated morally to help the poor.. for wealthy should condition a persons heart to want to help the poor, and no one should have to force them to do so...!!!!!

Posted by Carl D. Scott | April 24, 2010 4:45 PM

If you are a wealthy person who does not rely on the bodies and minds of those less-fortunate to accumulate your wealth, feel free to disregard the needs of the poor.
If you are a rich person who pays every one employed by you fair wages for labor (meaning noone working for you is making minimum wage) as well as offers fair benefits and health insurance, feel free to disregard the needs of the poor. If all of your employees can brag that they work a 40 hour week and bring home enough to keep their families in a dignifid manner, feel free to disregard the needs of the poor.

Posted by Krista Delle Femine | April 22, 2010 11:22 AM

no i think that the poor should help themselves and look for jobs instead of panhandling on street corners and making a nuisence of themselves.

Posted by joseph | April 15, 2010 1:52 PM

Some years ago, Professor Fred Flynn, graduate school faculty member at the University of Saint Thomas, asked the students in his Philosophy of Education class to share their definitions of democracy. After each of us had had a chance to respond, someone asked Professor Flynn if he would please give us his definition.

Doctor Flynn paused briefly and thought-fully, and then said to us "Democracy? Democracy works because of man's nobility; it is necessary because of man's weakness."

In the context of that wisdom, I share my comment on "Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?"

My parents always taught us that from those to whom much has been given, much is expected. Throughout their lives, they not only talked that talk, but they also authentically walked that walk. Many of their generation were of like mind.

Just look around the Twin Cities at what those to whom much has been given have left as their legacy. Consider the Bremer and Wilder Foundations, Catholic Charities, Friends of the Orphans and Habitat for Humanity to mention but a few.

When he spoke at the Medal of Freedom Awards Ceremony last summer, President
Obama put it this way:

"... no barriers of race, gender or
physical infirmity can restrain the
human spirit; and ... the truest test
of a person's life is what we do for
one another."

Barack Obama
August 12, 2009

So ... "Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?" For the weathy to have an obligation to help the poor could never, nor
should it ever be legislated.

Whatever we have and whatever we make of ourselves could simply not be possible by vitrue of our own merits. All is a gift, and therein lies what could be a universal re-sponse, namely to give back.

In the context of social justice, we are each others' keepers.

Respectfully,
Buzz Marzolf
Hudson

Posted by Buzz Marzolf | January 17, 2010 6:51 PM

I don't think the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor, but rather a sense of responsibility. We should want to help out those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It shows humility and the basic principle of humanity.

Posted by Alana from Prior Lake High | January 13, 2010 4:28 PM

I don't believe that the weathy should be obligated to help the poor because of the poor decisions that they made earlier in life. The wealthy should have a choice of keeping the money that they earned, although they should feel the need to help those less fortunate.

Prior Lake High School

Posted by Chris | January 13, 2010 7:45 AM

Do we as Americans have the right to do whatever we want with our money? Yes. Do we as equal human beings have the obligation to help each other? Absolutely. No matter who you are and how bad you think you have it, I guarantee someone, somewhere has it worse off and needs your help. Whether it's donating money or simple volunteering at a food shelf or other organization. We Americans have been blessed to live in a land of opportunity that others can only dream of. It most certainly is our obligation to give to those who need support.

Posted by Zach Doherty, Prior Lake High School | January 12, 2010 7:28 PM

Yes and no.

No. We should not state that one class exclusively is obligated to help another class of people. However, ...

Yes. We ALL have the obligation to help others regardless of our financial status. Those that have the extra funds available to donate money should want to and should feel obligated to donate to charities whose sole purpose is to help those who truly want to be helped. People who do not have funds available should feel obligated to donate time.

Posted by Heather in Hopkins | January 12, 2010 6:17 PM

I don't think it should be an obligation, people who weren't born wealthy have become wealthy with hard work. I think people should want to help them though.

Posted by Samm | January 12, 2010 5:43 PM

I dont think that the wealthy are obligated to give money to the poor but i think that they should want to. they should want to because its nice and it will help satrt up the econmy which will help every one

Posted by nate, Prior Lake high school | January 12, 2010 4:22 PM

I dont think that the Wealthy have an obligation to help the poor but i do think that wealthy or not you should want to help them in some way. Even if you can not afford to donate money you could still go and volunteer at a food shelf or something.

Posted by Matt, Prior Lake High School | January 12, 2010 3:22 PM

@Brian F: Market base being a welfare system? I mean, come on, at least I'm trying to help the poor instead of simply turning a cheek. I just don't agree with the government taking over and requiring a certain class of people to take care of another class of people. One person I spoke with on this issue brings up, what about all the homeless people? I responded that it is non-profit organizations like Sharing and Caring Hands that really give more to the poor than the Government will be able to on a welfare system. It is true, and Mary Jo is a saint in doing so, and I will ALWAYS support her in her efforts since I have since I was a child, but I will NOT support the government doing so and babysitting the population with welfare keeps them poor - it likes giving them a fish but not exactly teaching them how to live - supposed it does, but then why does the welfare system still exist?

Donate...that's all I can say...donate to places like Sharing and Caring Hands.

Posted by Marc L | January 12, 2010 1:06 PM

Then again, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach the man to fish and you've destroyed your market base."

Posted by Brian F | January 12, 2010 9:25 AM

One response, as a welfare system will not work...use the old proverb and you will understand the answer to the question.

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life."

Posted by Marc La Liberte | January 12, 2010 9:18 AM

The wealthy indeed have a moral obligation to help those who are less well off. But even if they didn't have that obligation, it would still be in their best interest to endorse a moderate amount of government redistribution of wealth to keep the imbalance from growing to large.

In the early '30s there was a real danger that either a Russian style socialist revolution would sweep over America, or we'd descend into fascism in the attempt to suppress that threat. The main reason neither of these things happened was because of the New Deal. Economists will debate forever whether the New Deal did anything to ameliorate the Great Depression, but the redistribution of wealth that it represented took the wind out of the sails of the growing socialist movement. It's why Germany got Hitler and we didn't.

Posted by Steven | January 11, 2010 10:13 PM

Should ten percent of Americans earn fifty percent of the national income??? That is the question this society, Obama, and our lawmakers and Republicans need to ask. According to a study done by award winning economist Emmanuel Saez in 2007 that is how the national income was distributed by our honest, giving, lovey dovey wealthy people. Fall 2009 - major recession! 1920's - 10% earned 50% of national income = The Great Depression! College American History: 20th Century folks! Thanks to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (economic stimulus package) signed one year ago today, money has been dedicated to education - including higher education and I am a recipient of an educational grant, which allowed me to go to college last semester and learn about The Great Depression - the Saez study I discovered for myself.

I was interested in this question and read all of the respones. I often hear people say that the rich pay their taxes and that taxes should be fair and that the wealthy shouldn't be "forced" to part with ANY of their "hard earned money". Well, my husband works 12-15 hours per day, 5-6 days per week. If he doesn't make enough money for his company in a week then he has to work the extra day. In the three years he has worked there his company has systematically changed the pay rules, which has favored the company 5-1. He doesn't get paid overtime, and there were periods when he was paid only commission, in which he earned $2 an hour. We got a letter from the company this month with his pay stub letting us know how they feel about unions. I'll let you guess how the company felt.

Taxes are not fair. Poor people work very hard, often in physically demanding jobs that require a person to stand all day, lift, etc. So why are people who work hard and make $13,000 per year in income paying 12% of their income in state taxes and those who make $38,000,000 paying 7% in state taxes. If it's about fairness, HELLO, pay up!!! If the wealthiest Minnesotans paid their fair share it could cut our budget deficits and our governor wouldn't have to cut funding for food programs for the poor. The numbers I'm stating come from a report done by the Minnesota Internal Revenue and is cited in this article http://www.mn2020.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B8D1D175B-8512-457E-8EBD-01F9800AAE48%7D. Fact check me - high school students especially!

Finally, wealthy powerful people often frame these arguments in misleading ways, by saying they pay more, i.e. 10% of $13,000 is less than 10% of $38,000,000. However, $1300 is a lot of money to someone who is earning $13,000 per year. Why should the poorest people in our society pay more of a percentage of their income??? Also, in regards to fairness and charitable actions I heard an economist argue on Market Place tonight that CEO's earning bonuses this week should get them otherwise they'll go elsewhere. Why should government money be held hostage and be given to those with so much and so much power? I understand how charitable YOU are with YOUR money, others are obviously not charitable, ethical, or honest in their economic dealings - hence the need for regulations and taxes.

Posted by Jessica Sundheim | January 11, 2010 9:37 PM

The wealthy do have an obligation to help the poor. Their wealth is at least partially due to the good fortune of birthplace, family, health, luck, or timing, etc. and they have a moral duty to contribute to the common good by helping those less fortunate. Counting on them to do so voluntarily would not bring the needed results so it is the government's job to make the necessary arrangements through the tax system. When those who have the means to do the greatest good, use their inherent power to avoid paying their fair share, they hurt all of us and harm the delicate balance of a healthy society.

Posted by Jerilyn | January 11, 2010 5:43 PM

People should not have an obligation to help the poor, rather they should want to help. People have the right to do with their earnings as they please. So if they feel it is an obligation to help the poor than they should.

Posted by Jamie, Prior Lake High School | January 11, 2010 4:55 PM

I believe that the rich should assist the poor, not to the extent of completely taking care of them, but to give them enough to at least support themselves for a period of time.

Though, I can argue the other side and say that money now is really hard to come by, and working diligently to get a reasonable amount is rather inconvenient, and you can see why you wouldn't want to give it away. I think that people who are classified wealthy, should have enough money to support themselves, then to be able to give some spare money away to be people who can't even live a reasonable lifestyle due to difficult situational plots in their life.

I'm going to safely assume that, when anyone goes out into a city and sees a homeless person, several stereotypes will go off in our mind, leading you to think that this person will go off and use the money for a negative cause, such as drugs. To summarize, I think the wealth should help the poor, as long as they can already support themselves.

Posted by Kevin, Prior Lake High School | January 11, 2010 4:23 PM

Absolutely. If they don't, they have no moral conscience at all. And yes, government should tax them a lot more, getting enough money to provide universal and affordable health care, which is a matter of life or death.

Posted by Sue | January 11, 2010 4:14 PM

Its not just the wealthy that should have the need to help the poor but everyone. It really doesnt matter how rich you are to help some one in need. All it takes is a little sacrifice. Even the poor can help by spending time helping people. Its not all about money.

Posted by AUGUST, PRIOR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL | January 11, 2010 4:13 PM

Is it virtuous to be compassionate with someone else's money? Money taken by force?

Posted by Gary F | January 11, 2010 4:13 PM

I feel that the wealthy do not have an obligation to help the poor. The person that earns the money has the right to do what they wish with their money. the wealthy should want to help others who aren't as successful as they are. Many wealthy people do contribute and are doing a fine job and it would be fantastic if more people are willing to help the poor, however, it is their money.

Posted by Kirsten- PLHS | January 11, 2010 3:48 PM

Absolutely, the rich have an obligation to help others. Nobody, that is NO BODY, got rich all by themselves. I completely agree with the comments posted by Steven at 9:46 am.

A lot of rich people got rich by moving money around, which is not the same as creating wealth. The rich depend on the people who do the truly hard work: the people who pick our vegetables, the people who build our streets and keep them cleared of snow, the people who haul our trash, the people who teach in our schools...

When the rich use their money to help create a society where everybody is better off then they too will be better off.

Posted by Lois | January 11, 2010 3:25 PM

The rich can and do choose how to use their resources. However it is the obligation of US government to distirbure resources effectively to maintain democracy. the grossly uneven access to resources inevitably leads to fascisim and eventually to revolution. any student of history can see the pattern. My personal opinoin to tax the heck out of wealthy estates.- discourage that scourge of American: obsessive amassing of wealth-also known as hoarding! Every every wealthy person knew that 90% of their wealth would be recaptured by govenment they would choose to give it away. Its an American myth that the wealthy "work" for their money- most inherit it.

Posted by pam | January 11, 2010 2:27 PM

All of us, wealthy or not, have an obligation to help the "poor" among us - whether it is poor in financial means or poor in spirit. So from that point of view, I'd say the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor.

Posted by robin | January 11, 2010 2:20 PM

Anyone becoming wealthy in this nation benefited greatly from incredible resources in the form of our economic, legal, and social infrastructure. This infrastructure is a legacy of those who went before us, many at great sacrifice. As a matter of equity the wealthy "owe" a significant portion of their wealth in taxes for the future of our nation.

Out of compassion this nation can help the poor. A compassionate nation is a better society. Individual Christians are commanded as individuals to help the poor.

Posted by DK Peterson | January 11, 2010 2:08 PM

Yes the rich have an obligation to help the poor. If they choose not to they should be taxed by the government at a higher rate.

Posted by Kristine | January 11, 2010 2:01 PM

The wealthiest people in the world are not those who have the most wealth to give but those who give the most of what little wealth they have.

Posted by Gordy | January 11, 2010 1:40 PM

While "wealthy" and "poor" are relative terms, probably intended to indicate monetary wealth, so is "help" a subjective idea. The better question would perhaps be "Will those who are able possess the desire and humanity to lift those less fortunate to better circumstances?" One need not hold wealth to give, nor experience financial hardship, to participate in that experience.

Posted by Julie Ahern | January 11, 2010 1:05 PM

Only if they wish to continue their claim of being a member of the human race.

Posted by Kirk | January 11, 2010 12:48 PM

Since many wealthy people are conservative and much more likely to be Christian, yes there is an obligation listed in Luke 12:48; To whom much is given, much is required. Therefore the wealthy do have an obligation to the poor. The problem lies in how to interpret that and whether they will give voluntarily.

Posted by Deneen | January 11, 2010 12:43 PM

The obligation of the rich to give to the poor is a moral one, that should arise from charity and a love of mankind but, with equal effect, could arise from vested self-interest and, in the absence of voluntary financial fair play, should be enforced through taxation.

Two tier economic systems ALWAYS fail when the rich take advantage of the poor, grinding them down financially, socially and emotionally, because there is ALWAYS a messenger that creates a new order, whether that is Jesus, Ghandi, MLK Jr. etc., that upturns that system.

Historically, the greater the difference between the rich and the poor, the greater the social, military, and financial upheaval that levels the playing field.

Terror is the new weapon of upheaval. It is one that can be wielded by anyone, rich or poor. Militant jihadists that have taken advantage of a restive underclass, whose members have nothing left to lose, to achieve their terrorist goals.

It is in the long-term, best interests of all societies that wealth be naturally distributed through wages so that there are very few very poor people and even fewer ultra-rich people. (Bell-curve style.)

Government should create incentives for a healthy distribution of wealth, but NEVER hand out money without receiving an equivalent value in return.

Posted by Heidi | January 11, 2010 12:41 PM

Each successful society creates obligation of one member to another. The consequences of poverty can be painful and deadly. Should members of society be obligated to help those in pain or who are dying? Yes. Cooperative societies have track records of increasing good rather than decreasing it. In the 1950's the wealthiest people in our country earned ten percent of the national income, but in the roaring 20's and 2007 the wealthiest earned fifty percent of the national income - economic study by an award winning economist, Emmanual Saez. When wealth is so unevenly distributed it not only affects the poor, but it causes problems with the world's economic systems. So, it is in wealthy people's best interest to help the poor, through individual and societal means and not just through donations but by also creating opportunity.

Posted by Jessica Sundheim | January 11, 2010 12:14 PM

Uniform distribution of wealth eliminates a major incentive to work hard as individuals receive no personal advantage from their hard work.

Unequal distribution of wealth causes social conflict as the poorest have less incentive to follow law or social rule and will do what it takes to survive.

Those with money will invest resources in the poor. We can spend the money on police and prisons, or we can spend the money on welfare.