19. of 26 - Selfish Charity

​Is country defined by land or people, the money that feeds economy, or the symbols we hang on holy steeples?
Selfish votes ignite desperation in those who charge for reconciliation.
Politics is a selfish charity, greasing laws to increase the wealth of disparity.
Resources are equal to the country’s guilt, mining with children is how handsome profit is built.
Convenience is desperation without the fear, I can’t be bothered to donate, my demands are crystal clear.
I vote out of convenience, not bothered to care, about the people I guilt, living on a prayer.
I want to control, those who vote, youth is royalty, writing laws by quoting sore throats.
Government is abuse, on the freedom we own, is a country made of people or the resources they’ve grown?

ChatGPT's response as a contrarian:

As a contrarian, one might interpret this poem as a critique of the notion of "selfish charity." The speaker seems to be questioning whether the concept of charity can truly be selfless, or whether it is always driven by self-interest in some way. They suggest that politics, which often involves charity in the form of government aid programs, is ultimately selfish because it is designed to increase the wealth of those in power. Additionally, the speaker suggests that even private charity can be selfish, as people may donate out of convenience rather than genuine concern for those in need.
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From this perspective, the poem can be seen as a critique of the idea that charity is an inherently virtuous act. Instead, it suggests that charity is always entangled with power dynamics and self-interest, and that we should be skeptical of those who claim to act purely out of altruism. The poem raises important questions about the role of charity in society and the ethics of giving, challenging us to consider the motivations behind our own charitable acts.