From: terry@prcrs.prc.com (Terry Cunningham)
Newsgroups: dc.general
Subject: Re: Protest
Date: 23 Nov 92 15:51:35 GMT
Organization: PRC Realty Systems, McLean, VA

In article <1992Nov16.182704.10397@socrates.umd.edu>, ice@socrates.umd.edu (Fredrik Nyman) writes:
> kevin@clsi.COM (Kevin Cameron) writes:
> >In article <1992Nov15.193945.6720@socrates.umd.edu>, ice@socrates.umd.edu (Fredrik Nyman) writes:
> >> 
> >> In general, I feel that the current criminal problems the US suffers
> >> is caused more by a general lack of accountability than anything else.
> 
> >Maybe it is caused by high levels of unemployment, poverty and poor education.
> 
> >Who is accountable for that ? - maybe the voters ?
> 
> Good point!  Yes, unemployment, poverty and poor education are
> certainly major factors.  My point was more along the lines that if
> no-one takes responsibility for hir actions, how can we expect others
> to do it?

This was a good point, then you misdirected the responsibility to government.

> For the longest time, we have seen government officials ignore their
> constituents.  Many of the very agencies whose missions are to help
> disadvantaged (HHS, HUD) have been plagued by scandals.  The school
> 
> Given this, it's unsurprising that crime is as bad as it is; no-one
> seems to *care* for the situation in the inner cities, particularly
> not those whose job it is to work on improving the situation.

Why would you rely on an institution of the status quo to change the
status quo?  Why would you ask voters to pour their tax dollars into
the inner cities via the same beauracracy that brought us $600 toilet
seats?

It is clear that the vast social programs since the New Deal can change
policy, make more equitable laws, and improve conditions in selectively
targeted areas where efforts are focussed (head start etc..).  But it is
also clear that the government can only be of assitance when some sort of
social infrastructure exists in the first place.  It has no clue how to
deal with a situation where the social fabric has devolved to the point it
has in the inner cities.

It is instructive to look at foreign immigrants to this country during
an earlier period (I know that they do not have the burden of different
skin color).  In most cases they had strong roots as a group with a 
shared heritage and religion; their social codes could be tough and seem
harsh, but they maintained social cohesiveness even with tremenduous
external pressures such as bigotry (Irish, Jews).  The first generations
here went through hell in our industrial age, but they were able to prosper
and eventually their grandchildren moved into the middle class. The same
appears to be happening with asian immigrants today.

I know that the blacks were treated far more harshly than this during
their history here, but it seems to me that the immigrant model of
tight knit communities with a strong church and a sense of shared
responsibility for the common wealth may be one that all of us can get
behind and support.  The black church, from what I've seen, is strong and
closely linked to the community, perhaps that may be a better vehicle than
the government for chanelling resource to assist the inner city communities.

In the old days, the poor were cared for and aided by their own communities
via local poorhouses, the church, local religeous orders etc... and this
process was not controlled by government. If the means were available today
whereby those with the ability to assist, could do so without bringing in
the government, then the people might help to redress some of the problems
that exist today.
 
Perhaps a program might be set up whereby a wealthier suburban church
or parish may 'adopt' an inner city church, by chanelling donations,
manpower, training, tutoring/mentoring, and scholarships to the adoptive
church.  The same could be done with businesses, individual families, or
any organization of people who want to help.  Perhaps the government role
would be to gather and match the appropriate groups together.

In other words, find the strong organizations within the inner city
communities, churches, youth groups, schools; and encourage them as much
as possible with our direct support.

In the 23 that I have been in this country I have learned that Americans
are generous, caring people.  Thay just need a way provided to them 
whereby they can help and not feel that their money and efforts are being
wasted.

Terry

-- 
 | Terry Cunningham terry@rsi.prc.com | "I don't like the looks of that      |
 | DoD# 541   'Debunkers of Dogma'    |  teenager over there" Grampa Simpson |
 | Highly Individual Flaming Idiot    |                                      |
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