This meme recently showed up. You may have seen something similar.

Humm. Does this make sense? For years, we have seen the so-called Progressives (Tranzis and Regressives in our opinion) use this sort of tactic frequently. “The United States,” we are told, “must learn from the rest of the (Western/European-based) world, and jettison old-fashioned, out-dated, and so-called conservative ideals and concepts.”

Now it appears that the easily-labelled and frequently-derided extreme-right-wing conservatives are imitating their political enemies. As common as that is, it still comes across as odd. And dangerous for their own cause.

From the point of view of lovers of liberty (like us here at TPOL), none of the nations listed in the image seem to be very good role models. For anything, including how they run immigration or migration. The graphic does not point out that many of these nations also are very authoritarian. Some would also punish anyone daring to migrate from their wonderful, blessed motherland.

As lovers of liberty, though, we do agree with one major point made. Open borders and freedom to enter (and leave) a nation is abused when you have to live in a massive welfare state that treats those who jump across a border better than their own citizens. And when the huge volume of freebies offered (at taxpayer expense) serves as a lure to come. A massive lure. That should not be governments role.

But then, welfare in general is not the business of government. Whether it is of the poor, the underclass, or big business and all the Beltway Bandit type winners of juicy government contracts. Or immigrants. Legal or illegal.

We are not saying that some people do not need assistance. It may include short-term food, clothing, and shelter assistance. It may require more, longer-term assistance to someone who is mentally or physically disabled. It may include providing a refuge of those fleeing persecution, tyranny, or poverty.

But this was not seen as a role of federal, state, or even local government at the time of the organization of the republic and federation called the United States of America. There might be justification for various governments to regulate it to protect people from violence and to maintain the peace. But the idea of taxing (stealing money) from other people to either give to those in need or pay for goods and services to be provided to them? Sorry, can’t find it.

Whose responsibility was it? First (and foremost) their family. Obviously, that is far from a perfect answer. Their entire family might be in the same serious conditions. The needy person might be nowhere near their physical family, or the rest of their family might be dead.

So then who? Next was their congregation – their spiritual family. Brothers and sisters in their faith. And if their own congregation was unable to do enough, then calling on sister churches to provide that help. And many religious groups went beyond that and provided benevolence to those people that were not of their own faith: using that aid to evangelize and live what they were taught.

Those who were not part of a traditional and organized religion went out and created many other organizations to provide assistance. Fraternal organizations, societies dedicated to particular actions (such as abolition of slavery, dealing with addicts to alcohol and other substances, and even filibusters to liberate people and lands from tyranny). And sponsoring – aiding directly – people seeking to immigrate.

The key for all of these sorts of activities is very simple. First, they were voluntary (in funding, organization, and actions). Second, they were generally very personal. Third, they were not sponsored by or controlled by government. (Indeed, they were often seen as inimical to government!) Fourth, they were not seen as “entitlements” – aid to which they were entitled merely by being alive.

All these institutions, at least those which did not attempt to join forces with government to force their beliefs and actions on others and get access to funds through theft by government, were “doing retail, not wholesale” welfare. It might be the family which is saddened to realize that their relative is a worthless parasite who is scamming them. A congregation or synagogue also must evaluate on a case by case basis. As do benevolent organizations, whether they be St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a local Eagles or Elks club. And so too are those groups who organized assistance in the form of weapons, ammunition, and even volunteer fighters to efforts to free people from slavery and tyranny.

Government, on the other hand, makes sure that its efforts maximize the transfer of wealth to the parasites called politicians and bureaucrats, with the crumbs going to the welfare clients. (And we admit, there are private institutions that do the same: consider the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, and dozens of other organizations who scam people both directly and through their links with government.

Bottom line: We as lovers of liberty do NOT believe that the United States or the FedGov or State Governments should imitate the likes of North Korea, Singapore, Russia, India, or Pakistan. Especially not when it comes to border jumpers. But we DO believe that American States and the FedGov must stop rewarding those who jump the border (whatever their reason) by shoveling money and goods and services at them. But nor should they prevent voluntary associations from adopting those who seek help and are escaping from intolerable conditions in their homeland. Adopting and helping them – but out of the assets given freely to those voluntary groups. NOT by becoming parasites on taxpayers themselves to funnel the money to those in need.