Do the wealthy have an obligation to make sure the poor have affordable health care, food, shelter, etc.?

Answer 1

No. We ALL have an obligation to make sure we ALL have affordable health care, etc.

Answer 2

No one has an obligation to make sure that anyone else has anything, much less health care and shelter. That the largess possessed by the wealthy can provide such a benefit does not entitle anyone else access to that wealth for any reason short of voluntary surrender of ownership. If one chooses to cede title and share their bounty - more power to them! Even a nefarious rich guy like Al Capone opened soup kitchens during the depression, feeding many hungry (and grateful) Chicagoans in need.

This is ostensibly a freedom loving country, so one wouldn't see the government forcibly taking from one group to give to another, would we? Oh...wait...that kind of theft is perfectly legal...we call that Robin Hood scheme the income tax code.

Now where's the gratitude in that?




Darth Serious

Answer 3

i dont think is an obligation, but if we are richer than the poors at least we can help in the order of our economy , may be we are not going to buy a house but in the day with the people that lives in shelters,or giving money to a community or to the churck i thing is an obligation for those who love to give, an d to give is to love, and love is the most richest resourse of the world

Answer 4

A *legal* obligation? Other than paying taxes, no. But a *moral* obligation? I think so. With great power comes great responsibility. What matters, however, is what the wealthy think. Luckily, a surprising number of them are *very* active with charitable causes.

Answer 5

No. The wealthy aren't responsible for the problems plaguing the poor, they shouldn't be responsible for their resolution.

Most wealthy people created their own success. Providing a meager existence for someone may keep them alive, but it doesn't motivate anyone to improve their situation, just gives they the excuse of blaming others.

All that said, I believe in personal charity and charitable NGOs. They are truly people helping and choosing to help people. Maybe if the burden of gov't wasn't so high then people could actually afford to be more generous. As it is, we are mandated to "donate" our money to a huge, corrupt, money pissing, beaurocracy. Some of us are forced to contribute to things we believe are wrong like slaughtering animals, corporate welfare, drug and alcohol problems, condoms for kids, pharmaceutical funding, religious based clubs, farming fetuses and a whole lot more. Chances are theres something you are profoundly against that gov't does, but yet people still vote to raise taxes, enlarge gov't and expand powers.

Answer 6

No. I would certainly not use the words "make sure." Contributing money is fine, but ensuring a certain lifestyle is out of the question. Those who truly need it (elderly, handicapped, children, etc..) should be at the front of the line for assistance. The lazy, drug dealers, and other leeches of society should be forced to help themselves.

Answer 7

Yes. The business owner has an obligation to all their employees to provide an income that will enable them to afford healthcare. If they don't want to provide it then they should be taxed so the government can provide the healthcare.

The rich people's kids go to schools, are in shopping malls etc, with poor people's kids. If the poor are sick don't you think the rich will catch their diseases?

Answer 8

No. It is unfair to impose an obligation on someone just because he is wealthy. The poor should strive and work hard too.

Answer 9

My only obligation is to myself and my family.

Answer 10

I agree with M.