Reward good behavior
During his visit to America and Philadelphia, Pope Francis said, “I come to encourage and support good.”
I asked myself, how might the people of Philadelphia encourage and support good? What motive can be given to people to make them do good?
Most have heard the old saying that, “Money talks.” Perhaps money might be used to encourage and get people to do good. Many tax returns allow taxpayers to use claims, deductions and exemptions.
Could our city elected representatives enact legislation that would allow a good conduct exemption to all city residents who satisfied all of the criteria stipulated in the legislation? If our budget wizards were to craft a plan that would grant a sizable good conduct exemption to all citizens qualifying, I think that our citizens would have a powerful incentive to behave themselves.
I also hope that our budget wizards will also craft an additional on-the-job good conduct exemption for all of our city’s courageous, noble and virtuous firefighters and police officers who are willing to lay down their lives day after day for the good people of Philadelphia.
I think those exemptions would powerfully motivate and encourage them to successfully resist any temptations to do wrong.
I know that many readers of this letter might find my suggestions to be ludicrous, frivolous and unrealistic. Still, I write this letter because I hope that its suggestions might contain a scant bit of truth. Perhaps others who are far more intelligent than I might be able to use my suggestions as a stimulus to formulate more practical and realistic programs to encourage and support good in the City of Brotherly Love and sisterly affection.
Jerry Brennan
Burholme
