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Faith Based Community Service
By Joe Renna
Historically faith based organizations have been providing social services to communities with or without government support. These organizations fill the void when government neglects the health and welfare of the people.
Faith based organizations are traditionally small and community based. They draw their sustenance mostly from the very community that is in need. Working with limited resources these groups are remarkably efficient and effective, a total contrast to when government bureaucracy gets involved.
It doesn't matter what religion incorporated the organization for the tenants are the same. Helping those in need is the catalyst of the service. Judeo-Christian religions challenge themselves to do for the least of their brothers. Buddhists are dedicated to acts of compassion and Islam promotes works of mercy and giving of alms.
The needs are endless and ever changing. Trends in economy, technology, environment and society uplifts certain segments in society while some people are cast off.
Most organizations work it alone. Government subsidies sometimes have stipulations attached to them that offset the benefit of the grant. When government efforts go array, it's the people that are in need that suffer. Faith based service organizations and churches ease the burden of the government to supply those services. This led the way for faith based and community initiatives which would allow tax dollars to go to these groups. The initiatives make sense but there is an outcry that they violate the separation of church and state.
Without the community organizations in place the symptoms caused by the ills of society would be catastrophic. There effect would resonate though the entire population regardless of social and economic status. The benefits that society as a whole gets from the service groups is immeasurable. Disdain for the use of tax dollars to help the hungry, homeless and materially poor are loudest from the most affluent. They also happen to be the same people who have the most influence over politicians.
Local towns are beginning to measure the return in services that they are receiving from the 10 to 20 million in taxes that they are sending to Union County government. The analysis shows that they are receiving back about 10¢ on a dollar. Each town is blaming the county for redistributing the wealth to other towns, especially the urban ones, and they want it stopped. The problem with that claim is that the urban towns are getting short changed also. The bulk of county taxes are going to the individuals and companies connected to the Democratic party that is in absolute power.
Even though the county budget has grown to $366 million this year and the county increased their portion of the property tax over 40% the last four years, they actually cut the percentage of the budget that goes to "Health and Welfare". This puts an added burden on the backs of charitable organizations to supply social services. As always, the charge is being picked up by the faith based organizations and churches. These groups are relying on private contributions from individuals and businesses while being run by a mostly volunteer staff.
Social programs are considered a trade mark of the Democratic party. It is ironic that Democrats are the ones in absolute power at the county and that they are cutting services. It is equally interesting that the federal and state faith-based and community initiative programs were introduced by the Republican Party. Union County and local municipal governments need to take a look at these programs. It would improve the quality of life for the least of our brothers without further burdening the property taxpayers.
This is a non-partisan issue. Voters need to abandon their blind allegiance to outdated party demagogues and vote for what is best for the people