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The Do-gooder continued

Chris Ringer (a therapist who does seminars on co-dependency for the helping professions in Minnesota) points out that it’s an interesting comment on American mores that the Do-gooders make so much more money than those they allegedly do good for.

"The culture says that it’s virtuous and commendable to be a helper," Ringer says. "But (on) the other side, those who need help are (thought) probably responsible for their own misfortune. Who knows, it may be God punishing them, so the very fact that people are helpers is proof’ of their virtue. … The underbelly of that is that we live in a culture in which suffering is (thought to be) optional. Or worse, that suffering is God punishing you for being human. Some people say that it is a revision of the Puritan ethic. You know, I’m wealthy and healthy because God loves me. And you’re not because you didn’t do it right, and this is what you get for it. And that’s a very dangerous model. …"

Ringer says, "People get into the ‘helping’ professions for personal reasons. If they’re going to stay in the professions and do a good job for their customers, their orientation must change."

He says, "They have to become aware of what personal needs that they (are) trying to meet in becoming a ‘helper.’ And, make sure that their personal needs are not in conflict with their customers’ needs. This is central."

Actually, I think the mistake that Chris Ringer is making is in believing that the customers are the persons "served." The customers are the ones who pay for the service: the agencies and programs and "service providers." You know, like when you go to the hospital the nurses who want you to fill out three forms before you get the chicken soup. They know who pays their salary. The patients are not the customers; the "third party reimbursers" are the customers. The hospitals pay the nurses. You want to understand motivation. The hospitals pay the nurses.

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