Bruce F. Simmeth – 10/13/10

This page was last updated on October 13, 2010.

Tough times impact assistance agencies; Bruce F. Simmeth; Beaver County Times; October 13, 2010.

This is the at least the 10th letter from Mr. Simmeth since June 2005 lobbying for more government redistribution of income/wealth. If you look at my previous critiques of his letters (here, here, here, here, here, here, and here), you’ll find Mr. Simmeth tends to overstate alleged cuts and requests huge increases. In one case, Mr. Simmeth appeared to request a spending increase of from five to 10 times. In January 2006, Mr. Simmeth wanted federal taxpayers to increase their funding of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $2,000,000,000. I did not critique that letter (“Hike LIHEAP funding”; January 24, 2006) and it is no longer on the Times website.

While I applaud Mr. Simmeth’s efforts to help the less fortunate among us, I oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to fund any of these efforts. It’s wrong to take income from one person and give it to another, regardless of good intentions.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Recently released U.S. Census data shows that the number of American households receiving food stamps is now at record levels and that one in seven of our fellow Americans are living in poverty.

“The difficult economy has led to an increase in the need for emergency services that provide food, shelter and clothing. Requests for rent, mortgage and utility assistance have also increased.

“The United Way of Beaver County is working with its partner agencies to advance the common good.

“For example, we are urging Congress to pass a strong child nutrition bill without reducing food stamp benefits.

“The number of U.S. households receiving food stamps has reached record levels. We currently have 46 states and the District of Columbia that have seen increases in food stamp assistance.

“Our emergency assistance agencies are busy serving more people with less funding.

“There is a deep and persistent level of poverty in our country, and we as a nation can and should show the compassion and foresight to invest in our local communities.”

[RWC] There is nothing compassionate about the government taking from one family’s paycheck to give to someone who didn’t earn it. There is nothing altruistic or charitable about telling government to rob from Peter to pay Paul. Compassion is when a person freely chooses to use his own paycheck to help someone in need.