Guess what? We give more than just money. The US has the greatest international transport and communication infrastructure in the world.

The government may not dump buckets of cash into some efforts, but they employ their resources to deliver supplies in hours or days, where, otherwise, it might have taken weeks, months, or even longer. That and we donate tons of surplus items that may or may not ever be counted as bottom line contributions.

In addition, the US government does something virtually no other government does; it created one of the world's greatest incentive programs for helping average people give their money to worthy causes. So I can tithe to my church, and give to those causes which matter to me, and the government allows me to claim those donations on my taxes, and actually get money back.

Why do you think that virtually every economic advisor in this country will urge you to donate some of your money each year? Which is why there are no people in the world who give as much as Americans.

THIS is the kind of social program which I support! Not the kind where the federal government raises taxes, then wastes most of it on infrastructure costs, but the kind which gives me incentive to do the right thing and use my money far more efficiently and effectively to boot!

Finally, in regards to Mr. Wallis's insistence that President Bush is waging an "immoral" war, based on the fact that the Pope and other religious leaders have spoken out against the war, he seems to be forgetting what his Bible says regarding the power of the government:

Romans 13: 1-7
Submission to the Authorities
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

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