BBugs, I'd ask you again for was cut, the savings from the cut, the efficiency of the distribution of monies, what was the purpose and was it met, etc. However, I know that you do not believe in accountability in government programs. Intentions, not results count with you.

In quoting part of the Greatest Commandment, you missed what was being said. What was said was, "Love the Lord YOUR God with all YOUR soul, and all YOUR mind and with all YOUR strength. The second is this: Love YOUR neighbor as YOURSELF. There is no greater commandment than these. Christ's emphasis is on what YOU should do; not the church or the government. YOU.

The parable of the Good Samaritan makes this point - representatives of the church and the government (a priest and a Levite) pass by the injured man. The Samaritan came by and cared for the traveller with his own work and out of his own pocket. Christ's instruction to the people is to, "Go and do as he did."

In Mathew 25 he said, as a part of the parable of The Sheep and the Goat, “34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and YOU gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and YOU gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and YOU invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and YOU clothed me, I was sick and YOU looked after me, I was in prison and YOU came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever YOU did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, YOU did for me.’

The focus of Christ’s teachings was individual action and responsibility. He spoke of what we should do as individuals not what should be done by governments. Yes, you should pay your taxes and render unto Cesar that which is Cesar’s, but that does not give you a pass on your own individual actions. They are what is required of us to conform to the Great Commandment. I know you serve as a Salvation Army bell ringer and that is a good example of what we can do an d should do more rather than relying on the Priests and Levites.