[wyager]

> you have a responsibility to be charitable to those less fortunate than you.

According to whom? I never signed up for this.

The only "responsibilities" (what a loaded word; you automatically imply we're irresponsible if we disagree with you) I acknowledge are those I took on of my own volition.

[geomark]

I think it a slightly different way. As a thinking person who is (somewhat) self-actualized I feel it is my duty to perform charity. The type and amount are my choice. And I feel that other thinking people should feel the same way. So I will remind them or attempt to persuade them if they are ignoring (what I feel is) their duty.

[wyager]

"Persuade them" how? By legally requiring them to pay taxes under threat of violence?

[geomark]

Precisely not that way.

[task_queue]

> According to whom?

Most good and considerate people who aren't complete shitheads

[wyager]

Ah, right. A convincing argument; if I don't agree with your social deontology, I'm a shithead. You've persuaded me!

[task_queue]

No, I'm not trying to convince someone who has made up their mind. You're really backing yourself up into that corner, though.

Most higher organizations/clubs/associations/families engage in philanthropy and charity, most religions espouse the virtues or godliness of good will towards others and, again, most people who have the capacity to feel will agree that extending that empathy towards others is a good thing.

The point is most people, especially those who see things from a higher level socially and intellectually, recognize the value of compassion and selflessness.

Someone who balks at the suggestion that they have a responsibility as a good person to be considerate, who embodies the message of Ayn Rand's Anthem, might be considered immature. A shithead, even.