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When I was a young child, grade school age, our pastor or other priest often visited our classrooms. Religion classes were part of the Catholic school experience.
I can recall a day when one of my classmates asked the priest if there was ever a time when it was OK to steal. The young student presented a scenario of a poor family with nothing to eat. Would it be a sin to steal a loaf of bread or a can of soup from the local grocery store in order to feed the family?
Most often the priest would reply that we already knew the answer: it was a sin to steal. That would lead to a discussion on how we are to be good Christians and help those less fortunate.
This past week, our federal government announced a multi-state fraud and theft investigation that led to numerous arrests and convictions. The scope of the fraud is mind-boggling for the sheer amount of money stolen from law-abiding taxpayers by American and foreign-born residents of our country.
The cases involved millions if not billions of dollars acquired through illegal scams and falsified identities. Money earmarked for qualified Social Security, Medicare, child care and other federal programs was pilfered by thieves living side-by-side with the rest of us.
This news pushed my blood pressure to an unhealthy level for a bit. I cannot fathom the depth and deception to which the crooks operated. I'm only glad something this unsettling to you and me was uncovered and dealt with appropriately.
None of the sinful people involved were simply out to steal a loaf of bread to feed their families. Instead they purchased luxury cars and houses, took lavish vacations and lived high on the hog without earning a paycheck. Instead, they stole food and other benefits out of the mouths of legitimate recipients.
Who knows yet how many more schemes will be uncovered. No one in this country or right here in the Ohio Valley, should go hungry. There are many resources available almost every day of the week. It's when some people feel entitled to anything they want, even if it means stealing, that things go awry.
I heard some very compelling words recently from a learned man who said people who feel entitled only look inward, not outward at their neighbors. I'm just glad our federal government is looking out for us.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.