WASHINGTON -- Only in the morally sick society of Washington would the charitable actions of Linda Chavez, George Bush's nominee for labor secretary, be condemned as political vices rather than celebrated as civic virtues. Her withdrawal of her candidacy unveils the perverse policies that the new administration should target for elimination.

First, some facts. Chavez took in Marta Mercado, a Guatemalan immigrant who had no money, no home and few prospects for success without some initial assistance. Chavez could have handed her some money and said, "Good luck." Instead, she invited Mercado to stay in her home (how many of us would have done that?) and gave her some spending money. Apparently this was not the first time Chavez practiced such acts as charity.

Did Mercado offer to do some chores around the house? Of course she did. Even politicos cannot be so corrupt as to expect that someone with no job, no material means, and unable to speak English, who is taken in by a stranger, would not show some gratitude. But perhaps the best way that Mercado showed her gratitude was by taking English classes and taking part-time work in the neighborhood -- that is, by trying to better herself and to become self-sufficient so she would not need to rely on the kindness of strangers. And all of this was done without taxpayers' dollars. What a wonderful story!