For something that will warm the cockles of your heart,Random Thots recommends you spend some time with a certain Sagacious Blonde. Click here and then here for uplifting experiences.
For something different in a book,The Crowd, by Gustave Le Bon. Originally published in France in 1895, is such a classic that paperback editions are readily available today. Be forewarned, it was written over 100 years ago at atime when one could say that crowds behave emotionally and illogically, like women. But even a feminist might nod with approval when reading Le Bon’s conclusions gleaned from his study of crowd behavior and how it differs from the way its members would behave individually.
For helping the poor,
Poor Richard’s Almanac November, 1766
Topic: Poverty
On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor
I am for doing good for the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good for the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer. Benjamin Franklin
RANDOM THOTS 
Thanks, Bob, for your research and important communications.
I just finished reading a “Must-Buy” book called “The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” by Mark Skousen (B.F.’s 8th G-grandson). It contained only letters and writings of Franklin in his own words, with footnotes from Skousen.
It was full of his philosophy and contained his fears of how the newly-formed country might collapse if people were to follow history and follow the easy way instead of governing with freedom. It is really a must-read from your followers.
Thanks again,
Ron