Are people who have "more" obligated to help those with "less"?

i would agree with “helping” by doing things like smiling and being nice to people (as it does not require you to spend any money or energy on them). but i am not so sure about people who “have”less than you. you pay taxes, and beyond that, perhaps they should be left to fend for themselves.

YES!!!!!!!!!!

No. You never should feel giving of yourself as an obligation. Why should it be? You don’t want to give to those that are lesser off then yourself, then you go right ahead and keep it.

Since when has people needed to feel obligated to help the poor like it’s now a bill. I have obligations in my life but being nice to people and giving aren’t.

So, you go right ahead and NOT be nice because no one likes an obligation. And, it’s not like anyone would know. Heck, no one can make you do anything you don’t really want to now, do they?

i am more inclined to agree with you. i feel overwhelmed at times by the needs of others, and there will always be people who have “less.” it is always easy to spend other peoples’ money!

i have no problem with a smile. it’s when they start needing food, housing, healthcare,clothes, and an education that they are not contributing to that the moral issues begin to show their ugly heads! however, thanks for your opinion!

How can you expect anyone to become a part of society and contribute to it when you say they are asking for an education? isn’t every child asking for an education? should we take their food away while were at it? since you know, they aren’t contributing to anything….. also, healthcare? really? don’t go there, the US healthcare is nothing compared to most European countries, that, oh look, have free healthcare :O astonishing isn’t it.

no - i agree that kids deserve help up until a certain point (education, basic healthcare, etc). it is more the adults who do not contribute that i was referring to. also, european healthcare looks great on paper and works well in tiny european countries where socialized healthcare is a societal norm and has been overmany generations.you must remember that the entire country of - say - sweden - has the same population as new york CITY and about 1/4 the diversity of thought and attitudes. but european countries are beginning to have some of the same problems the usa has been suffering for years, as many non-native eurpeans have begun to move into the richer countries without adhering to their societal codes. and as far as healthcare goes, let us not pretend that when wealthier europeans want cutting edge medical treatment that they are not willing to wait in line for, they don’t hop on a plane and come to the usa to get it (this is not a secret among healthcare professionals in the usa). after living in and traveling around europe, i would prefer to pay for my healthcare in the usa. however, my thoughts about healthy adults who do not contribute or who cannot properly care for their own children remain the same.

Well. I wouldn’t say obligated if you worked for your money, but why not? Be a nice person, give to the less fortunate. I mean, I don’t want to rant but one of the biggest things I’ve seen wrong with society is just a lack of general kindness, empathy and compassion towards other human beings. Say if you inherit a large sum of money why not give? Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. But obligated? No. But it sure would be nice.

i can appreciate your thoughts. the needy masses are ENDLESS. there are only a few bill gates and oprah whinfreys in the world. also, giving too much - while a good intention - does tend to make people lazy because they can always depend on a handout. it also encourages them to reproduce irresponsibly, creating more needy people needing something from the non-needy. you can have empathy and compassion without feeding other people and making them overly dependant on you. your heart is in the right place, though.