These examples provide policy makers with valuable lessons. Given the opportunity, communities and individuals can and will meet their needs. The private sector will assist these efforts. Market economics, private companies, and local organizations work towards racial and economic integration, not against it. Government welfare, on the other hand, hinders these goals.
Government programs are never as effective as community-based efforts.
They stifle the incentives driving charitable organizations while smothering community independence. Self-reliance is replaced by reliance on government. And, as the welfare state's undeniable failure proves, government programs often harm those whom they are supposed to help. The Information Age is an opportunity, not a threat. Faced with a new economic era, policy makers should avoid new welfare subsidies and programs.