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Charities and organizations actively fundraising really pisses me off but if I encounter a bum asking, I give if I can and it doesn't make me mad at all.
IIN?
What ignorant egotism. Just being pissed off doesn't mean that you know squat about charities, fund raising or civics. Nor does giving a bit of change to the occasional panhandler when you feel like it demonstrate anything. So puffing yourself up as a big humanitarian who is better than public interest NPOs is ridiculous nonsense.
Spare us your rants.
Spare us your rants. This site is called "Is it normal?". This person has an opinion and he wants to know what other people think about it. You didn't actually answer his question, you just attacked him because obviously your views differ from his. You're the one being egotistical. The poster isn't trying to prove anything and he didn't make you read the post either so I fail to see the reasons for this personal attack. You don't even know who the poster is.
Yes, the poster isn't a "big humanitarian". He's a person with an opinion just like you so if you don't actually have anything to add than how about you just fuck off. It blows my mind how someone can be such a pessimistic, self righteous asshole. Maybe you think you sound smart but you just come across as someone that doesn't have anything to say.
Oh. I see. So anger, ignorance and humbug constitutes legitimate opinion. And the people in our community who care about those in need be damned. Aren't you two just beacons of compassion and pillars of community. Pathetic.
You are honestly laughable. I say that you obviously have different views than him but can't back it up which is why you attack him; and then you do the same thing to me? Anger, ignorance and humbug? Hahahahaha what? You're like a bad politician. You like to use big words but you don't actually say anything. I care about people in my community. It hurts me when I see people suffering in my community; people that are no worse than me but maybe had a rough childhood, or grew up in a broken home or was caught up in an addiction. I'd like to think that some extra money could make that persons day a little easier to get through. We're both here in this city together and that connection alone is enough to make me prefer giving to people in my own community than giving to some charity that may eventually help someone.
Does that make me better than those who give to charities? Absolutely not, but that being said, that is MY position on this post. Does that make me pathetic? Well, I guess it's up to you but I have yet to hear what your position is.
How do you know where my anger comes from? For one thing, I dislike how many charities only 'give' a few cents on the dollar that they take in and their CEO's live large.
For another, I have a good friend who runs a small non-profit equine rescue and I know how they live, what they do and what they personally gain from it and it disturbs me. They get so much given to them, yes they do work hard but still, they live so well and have everything anyone could want and still ALWAYS want more, more, more...always have a hand out and rarely appreciate what they have and use the non-profit for their own personal gains.
I don't mind most hobos because they are honest at least. Their lives suck overall so giving them a bit of pleasure, helping them out so they don't have to live even more miserably or rob someone in my community just to live and get by, is more worth it to me. Some people are not cut out to live in society, it's no fault of their own and I appreciate that. There's nothing wrong with it, and their comfort is important.
Yes. I agree to the extent it is true, and for the most part it isn't. That said, you certainly do have to pick your charities carefully.
If there is abuse of charitable status they can and should be reported (there are tight rules because they can issue tax receipts - so they are scrutinized by the tax man). Non-profits who are not registered charities have less oversight though their books are open to the public unlike private business.
Like anywhere there are crooks and scams and sketchy outfits and these should not be patronized and should be reported.
This, however, is SO minuscule to the world of philanthropy where there are endless opportunities to give and participate in extremely useful ways. And yes, to benefit. Ever been to a hospital, school, library, on a sports team, to a theatre, orchestra ,,, etc ...?
There is a psychological connection. When a charity calls you it doesn't appear to be different than any other telemarketer calling on behalf of a for-profit business. So its annoying. Seeing a bum is seeing firsthand a real image of struggling and suffering that is difficult to ignore. However, try to be rational. Even if the bum is not going to use the money on drugs, the fact is, giving people handouts is just going to teach them one thing- the best way to make a living is to expect handouts.
Think about what it does to their psychology. When someone believes that they cannot take care of themselves AT ALL- and that the only way for them to survive is to beg other people for pity- giving them money just validates this belief. When other people validate your beliefs- such as that you cannot take care of yourself- it makes your beliefs unshakably true in your mind. Thats how people work.
So if you give them money, they will never look for work, even if they did in the past but they couldn't find it because the economy sucks or they're poor and didn't have access to a good education or whatever. This is because you are affirming their belief that they are pathetic and the best way for them to live is by begging other people. I live in a city with a LOT of poverty so I deal with this a lot. At least charities give a hand-up by providing things like meals and clothes and a place to sleep, rather than a hand-out, which just re-enforces their dependent behavior and perpetuates the problem. Giving to bums will keep them on the streets. This is a fact, think about it. If you really care about them you will give to one of those annoying charities.
However, I understand where you're coming from. Not trying to judge. Its normal to feel the way you do. I'm just trying to show you the rational way of looking at the issue
Well I hate when they act like you have to give. I remember a charity demanding us give and told us give lunch money. They said "You can skip a day of lunch" and I was like "We are a bunch of kids? Why are you trying shake up down for cash"? I was a minor when this happened. However if pissed me off they really wanted us give up our lunch money.
I can understand this. Especially if they are in your face and use guilt as a tactic. Effective fundraising is a skill and it isn't just about making money for the organization.
But I have a soft spot in my heart for some of those fundraisers. They are so full of passion and spunk you just want to quiz them and make sure they understand their job...maybe that's just me.
Maybe you are more sympathetic to the bum because he/she is right in from of you. He gets all your money.
The charities don't.
Yeah, like this 12/12/12 concert bullshit. We can't change the world, but we can sure ask a lot of people for money if we want to.Pink Floyd was awesome though.