Posted by David Bernstein:
Talk about your tired Socialism:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2006_11_12-2006_11_18.shtml#1163735952
Would you believe Israeli Defense Minister and former socialist labor
leader Amir Peretz [1]criticizing a wealthy citizen for being
charitable because it's the job of the state, and only the state, to
help individuals who need it? Sheesh!
Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Thursday blasted business tycoon
Arkady Gaydamak for financing a free weekend in Eilat for 800
residents of the rocket-battered western Negev town of Sderot.
"The state of Israel does not allow rich men and philanthropists to
gain control from the distress of citizens," said Peretz. "This
phenomenon cannot continue. We will prepare an organized and
established plan to alleviate these residents so they will not need
to knock on the doors of philanthropists."
One thing I've noticed in my frequent contacts with Israel and
Israelis (being married to an Israeli) is that the Israeli state
managed to severely damage the philanthropic impulse that once
dominated Jewish life. A combination of statism taught in public
schools, combined with the prevalent (and understandable) idea that
one is owed something by the state after years and years of military
service, has led many Israelis to conclude, completely contrary to
Jewish tradition, that charity and volunteerism is for suckers. You
can see how the attitude of folks like Peretz doesn't exactly help.
References
1. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/789038.html
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