Brain Fertilizer

I hadn't heard much about the President's New Freedom Initiative. You can bet I'll be doing some research today and reporting back to you on it.

In any case, this is an excellent example of effective compassion.

According to the article, the federal government didn't do anything to bring this about. No contracts were awarded, no money was disbursed from the government...just a person, a few non-profit corporations, and a few businesses contributed their own skills and money and effort and caring in order to improve opportunities for disabled Americans to "fully participate in all aspects of community life, including employment."

I think that's awesome. This is how government can make a huge impact: by providing national recognition to those who help people more effectively and more efficiently than the government can, and without having to tax the crap out of us while doing it.

The federal government tends to use forceful techniques to help. Individuals, non-profits, and businesses can be more flexible, can generate economic activity to support themselves while still helping, waste far less money, and everyone involved is doing so willingly (for the most part).

This is how America should work.

Why is this not below the fold but on the front page of newspapers across the country? Why do I have to hear about this only because of the honorees is a player for the Chiefs? Is "bashing Bush" such an important function that no room can be spared to highlight this?