She is her brother's keeper, as she learned at Daddy's knee

It is not only moral but also smart to help your neighbor argues Susan Jacoby. She writes"

A society cannot prosper if economic survival depends on whether you were born into an affluent (or a middle-class) family. When I was 15 and enamored of the heartless economic philosophy of Ayn Rand, my father sat me down and explained the basic principle of progressive taxation. He pointed out that even though the rich pay higher rates, they still have more money left over afterward than Americans living on ordinary incomes. What a shame that Dad didn't have a chance to give Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and every Republican in the House of Representatives the same talk. I guess what they heard at their daddys' knees was that great American principle, "I've got mine and you've got yours to get."

The rest is here.