Should there be room in government policy for empathy and compassion?

I had an interesting conversation the other day with a poster that claims that there is no place in government to for either of these concepts. Because one persons empthy and compassion is another persons arch enemy.

For example, helping the poor.

I believe government has a place helping the poor, if for no other reason that its the right thing to do. ( and please note this is just one example of empathy / compassion in government )

But someone else will believe that same money is going to lazy welfare queens with 30 kids they spit out in order to collect more welfare.

So, given the idea that empathy and compassion are individual concepts, thje government has no place to act with compassion or empathy.

For example, should the government fund social safety nets? Many would say no, regardless of the cost to human lives. Not because they have no compassion, but because they believe it has no place in government.


Again, this is just one example. There are many others.

 

I wouldn't vote for anyone who didn't experience or exhibit compassion for others. And if you are a compassionate person, I don't know how it wouldn't bleed into your politics.

 

Well yes... I think when you stab that knife in the back you should have empathy and compassion at least on the twist

 

My compassion is for those who deserve it, so I doubt you'd vote for me? lol

 

That's not really how compassion works...

 

But compassion and empathy aren't limited to welfare. IMO, the primary function of the government should be to protect the rights of its people, and I think having a healthy respect for individual rights requires empathy and compassion.

 

It works well enough for me - you should try it some time?

 

The federal government exists to prevent Russia from invading us.

The state government exists to put out the big wild fires.

Those are their only two jobs they need to be concerned with.

 

And it gets better; there's only one threat, and that's because contrary to what the rednecks keep saying, Russia has zero intention to invade you.

 

You can replace the word Russia with the name of any other country.

The point stands.

 

Well they always accuse Russia of being 'aggressive' so that's why I mentioned it. Sorry I spoke.

 

yes, we should always help the elderly and disabled and have a safety net for those that fall along the way

 

The religious beliefs of others should not be legislated toward everyone. Each individual can express themselves, and their beliefs, protected by the Constitution. But they cannot force their beliefs on others.

The mission statement of the American system of governance is to provide freedom to pursue happiness, and secure the rights to life and liberty for all, not be a go between for religious zealots trying to impose their beliefs on everyone else .

 

Russia does want to miss with our elections though as they want to be the #1 world power and are willing to go tonya harding on us to get it... thus Trump

 

I feel compassion towards serial child murderers on life without parole. Yet I still support their imprisonment.

Emotion is useful, but it should be guided by reason and never dictate to it.

In government you're supposed to put aside a lot of your personal feelings and work in the interests of your electorate or justice. A judge overwhelmed with compassion isn't a very useful judge.

So I'd say it's a bit of a mixed bag.

 

It's not compassionate to take people's property by force. Even if you are going to use that stolen money to provide a safety net.

 

I have never understood why it is "greed" to want to keep the money you have earned but not greed to want to take somebody else's money.
~Thomas Sowell

 

I voted there is room for compassion and empathy in government. Government should encourage the idea that there is great joy in being productive, providing for oneself as well as others without being forced at the point of a gun by a governmental entity!

 

it's time to put an end to 'participation trophies', no one should recieve PA just because they are here.

 

Government can and should be compassionate. However, it has no business legislating and paying for social programs. That isn't a matter of compassion. It is a matter of the appropriate activities for government. Appropriate activities do no include laws and spending that do not treat people equally. Equality is a major basis for your republic.

 

I very much doubt that Russia GAF about your elections any more than you GAF about theirs. Think of it like this . . . Russia doesn't have a $22tr national debt?

 

what does GAF stand for, is that Russia?

 

Gives A ****.

 

I voted Yes. It should never be the primary goal of laws, but there is certainly room for it to be an influence of law.

 

For the most part, I agree with this.