I am no fan of Facebook (FB). After their last privacy disaster, I ended my account which I used infrequently. I still don’t like being anywhere on FB, but I’ve given up trying to stop my wife and others from posting photos or mentioning me in their missives. However, I have seen something in FB that has redeeming value. It’s called the “Buy Nothing Project”.
I’ve long held that the more the government got into “helping” people, the more they separated us from each other. By breaking the bond of neighbor helping neighbor through interceding programs, they contributed to the isolation and callousness of some to the needs of our fellow citizens. Many feel it’s up to the state to take care of everybody rather than themselves. Nothing galls me more than to hear a politician take credit for some social program paid for by we taxpayers. Add to this the inefficiency of government, and you have ample opportunity to find a better way. Enter this positive use of social media.
The “Buy Nothing Project” allows FB folks the opportunity to list things or services they need or wish to give away and is limited to people sharing within their town. The outpouring we have witnessed has given me hope that we can re-connect with our neighbors and not look to government for the answers to our ills. For example, a family suffered a fire and once posted, they were overwhelmed with clothing, furniture, kitchen items and even money to help them get back on their feet. Another family was having a party and needed some chairs and tables to use for the event. Neighbors in town not only offered those but also pop up tents and assorted serving items. We saw requests for stuff we were happy to let go. We got to meet people who live just a few blocks away who then sent us photos of the items in use in their homes.
I once asked our esteemed Senator Chris Murphy if he would advocate for a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction for donations to tax exempt organizations already funded by government. I argued that would connect people directly with the organizations and the folks being helped. Secondarily, it could help reduce the size and cost of government. He did not think there would be enough donated to supplant the taxes collected and disbursed. Said another way, without a gun to people’s heads, they won’t cough up the money.
I say we give direct donation a try. We somehow muddled through for hundreds of years before the income tax and the “New Deal”. With our children being indoctrinated in school with every kind of “cause” now, (and even being allowed to skip school to “protest”), we may see an opening to reconnect with our neighbors.
Current Day Publius 