Bernie Sanders: 'I don't believe in charities'
Professor: Democrat 'has no real respect or regard for civil society'
Published: 8 hours ago
A 1981 New York Times item quotes Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as saying he doesn’t “believe in charities,” an outlook that one expert says is common in socialism and would destroy civil society.
In September 1981, the Times reported on comments then-Burlington Mayor Sanders made at a charity event:
“For the kickoff of the 40th annual Chittenden County United Way fund-raising drive in Burlington, Vt., the sponsors considered themselves fortunate to have as guests Mayor Bernard Sanders of Burlington and Gov. Richard Snelling of Vermont,” reported the Times.
“But the charity workers heard the sort of things they wanted to hear from only one of their guests.
“‘I don’t believe in charities,” said Mayor Sanders, bringing a shocked silence to a packed hotel banquet room. The mayor, who is a socialist, went on to question the ”fundamental concepts on which charities are based” and contended that government, rather than charity organizations, should take over responsibility for social programs,'” the article stated.
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Joe Loconte fiercely disagrees. Loconte teaches Western civilization and American foreign policy at The King’s College in New York City. He has also held positions with the Heritage Foundation and the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. From 2001-2003, he was an informal adviser to the George W. Bush administration’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
“It’s no surprise that Bernie Sanders then, and I think even now, really has no real respect or regard for civil society,” Loconte told WND and Radio America. “This is the problem with socialism. It sees such an overwhelming, intrusive role for the state at all levels, there’s no room left for the voluntary society.”
He said the history of America shows civil society as a indispensable part of what makes America great.
“Those associations, those charities, those faith-based organizations that have always been the lifeblood of American democracy have always contributed to this truth as we describe the United States,” he said. “It’s exceptionalism. Near the heart of American exceptionalism is this vibrant, independent civil society.”
Listen to the WND/Radio America interview with Joe Loconte:
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http://www.wnd.com/2016/04/bernie-sanders-i-dont-believe-in-charities/#ri3eCEccYLDkwpA5.99
