The Strange Disappearance of Cooperation in America (2013)
Cooperation used to be by free association through civic organizations.  As the government has grown in scope, it has eclipsed these, and it really isn't surprising that civic society has declined as a result.<p>When people freely participate in civic activities, they are being generous.  There is no coercion.  When government does the same thing, it is coercive.  The activity does not occur unless taxes are collected.  Choice goes out the window.<p>I've heard many people ask why they should volunteer or help out others, when they're already paying lots of money in taxes to "take care of those problems".<p>This is the final tragedy of the government intervention.  It turns activities where people are helping people into programs that solve problems.