NO! I won't donate to your Sandy fund!

No matter how many yard signs I see, no matter how many cashiers at grocery stores and convenience stores ask, no matter how many Red Cross flyers I get in the mail, no matter how many ticker tapes go across my TV screen, no matter how many of my friends and family re-post on FB, no matter how sad and down-trodden the images on the news look, etc., etc., etc., etc.!

And you wanna know why?

Because we can't have it both ways.

We can't be forced to give involuntarily, and then also asked to give voluntarily. It has to be either/or, but not both!

We can't pay extra insurance premiums to subsidize the high-risk areas, we can't pay taxes that support the DHS and FEMA and Corps of Engineers, and we can't get harrassed at our jobs to support United Way or FSECC (at my job) to the point where it is practically mandatory, and we can't pay extra premiums on our imported merchandise, and extra premiums on our fuel costs, and extra premiums on our cell phone bills, and cable bills, and water bills, and sewer bills, all to fund the agencies that are taking away our civil liberties in the name of safety and comfort, so they are ready to respond to EXACTLY THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS!



Phew. I feel a little better now. The cashier at Publix really set me off!

If we're gonna live in this blameless society where we pay the government to protect us from ourselves, and we give up our liberties in the name of safety and security and comfort, then when an event happens, just handle yo buzness! Don't come asking me for EVEN MORE! That is your job!

I'd be happy to give 30% of my wages as charity to the victims of Sandy, just as soon as I get a refund for all my tax money that funded the NDAA, DHS, FEMA, roadways, electric and water and telephone infrastructure, bailouts, subsidies, port projects, etc.

Well said. Also, Sandy was neither super, nor even a hurricane.

I know it is in the rant section and you have a right to get things off your chest so I won't be a hater.

I will say though,humanitarian motives should always trump economic motives.

I do understand what you are saying and ranting about,I just wanted to remind people that people are more important.
Yes,it sucks giving the government money when we don't get much for our dollars other than the feeling of being robbed and misrepresented.

Also,I encourage anyone who has the chance to help someone who has been through Sandy and is having difficulty,lend a hand if you could.

reply to post by darkhorserider


I can't even afford to finish fixing all the damage done to my own house in the last two hurricanes that hit us! I won't be "peer pressured" into donating money to help others recover when I haven't completely recovered myself. It may sound cold hearted, but charity starts at home!

reply to post by DrumsRfun




Thanks for not being a hater! I expected a few of those, and I'm very concerned with the well-being of folks in NY/NJ, and I've been through some hurricanes and tornadoes and floods, I've seen the devastation up close after the Midwest floods in 1993, and the tornado in Joplin last year, and I took a direct hit by the eyewall of Charlie in Florida in 2005, I get it.

BUT, look how much money got raised for Katrina, and raised after 9/11, and I'm sure the current fundraiser is going to probably out raise those other two combined!

Where does it all go? The government is already poised to respond to this disaster. We already paid in advance, because we know things like this happen. We made the plans, we paid the fees, we hired the folks, we bought the equipment.

So where do all these new BILLIONS go?

reply to post by darkhorserider

Originally posted by DrumsRfun

Yes,it sucks giving the government money when we don't get much for our dollars other than the feeling of being robbed and misrepresented.

You are preaching to the choir buddy.

I wish I could answer your questions but I can't.

reply to post by darkhorserider
There is so much a person can do right in their own back yards, in their own neighborhoods to help where you can at least see the money or time you have given has done some real good. I do not give donations to anyone or organization except the salvation army because almost all of them spend 75 percent of their monies given to them for their CEO's! United Way is one of the worst. I have always found that poor people help the poor. Being one of the not so financially blessed it seems that I spend alot of time reaching out to others in my own community in food sharing and support. I chose to do this. I understand the rant, I feel bad for people and the choices they make, but poor planning and mismanagement on their part does not constitute a crisis on mine. Invariably what does not kill you only makes you stronger, adversity is a great teacher.

reply to post by darkhorserider


I literally have no idea what you just said. I need to sleep more...
What you're saying is that your already paying for disaster relief in taxes so you aren't donating?
Not condescending or anything, I'm just trying to logic my sleep deprived brain.

I also sing in your choir.

However, the Disabled Vets are out today. I give to the vets and will continue. Everybdy else is on their own.
Obama will take care of everybody but the soldiers.

reply to post by CrisMajor


No problem.

That is basically it, but much more dramatically.

After 9/11 and Katrina we completely refabbed government response to disasters. We created new positions, DHS, re-orged FEMA, etc. All of us pay insurance premiums and part of that premium is a slush fund for the high-risk areas like beach property. Of course, very few of us have beachfront homes, but we all subsidize their insurance premiums. In addition, we pay extra taxes for subsidies for utility infrastructure, so they can expand, upgrade, repair, etc. We also pay taxes on every gallon of gasoline to fund and repair roads. We pay our income taxes that fund Federal projects like the Army Corps of Engineers, and their job is to create and repair levees, and dredge shipping channels, etc. Every piece of merchandise we buy has fees built into the price of goods from the manufacturer and shipper. If it was imported, it has extra dock fees and taxes.

We put a lot of time and effort and money into emergency management and preparation. We have local, state, and federal agencies solely dedicated to the efforts of preparing, mitigating, and recovering from disasters.

So, when disaster strikes, WHY ARE WE SO PANICKED? Why are they asking for extra funds? They've been collecting funds, buying equipment, running drills, building sea walls, and runoff systems, and installing pumps, and hoarding food, and water, and medicine for years. Why act like this is something they never planned for?

reply to post by sprtpilot


Don't know what storm you are talking about but Sandy was indeed a Hurricane.Major Hurricane? No.But still a Hurricane and a huge one.

Originally posted by sprtpilot
Well said. Also, Sandy was neither super, nor even a hurricane.

Amen,I found my self yelling at the one eyed monster
(Stop calling it a Hurricane,It's not a Hurricane).
......................(FEAR PORN)....................
Beware !

Originally posted by nightstalker78
reply to post by sprtpilot

 

Don't know what storm you are talking about but Sandy was indeed a Hurricane.Major Hurricane? No.But still a Hurricane and a huge one.

Extra-tropical Cyclone

Originally posted by Nite_wing
I also sing in your choir.

However, the Disabled Vets are out today. I give to the vets and will continue. Everybdy else is on their own.
Obama will take care of everybody but the soldiers.

Nothing wrong with giving whatsoever. Good for you, especially to a worthy cause. I very rarely give cash, but I did give to the Wounded Warrior project last Christmas. Its just such a good program.

I have no problem with giving, but I have a problem with the organizations that are asking.

reply to post by darkhorserider

Wish I'd said that.

reply to post by darkhorserider


Probably because the government will spend 10x the valur of everything they buy. Im sure youve heard pf the 100 dollar hammers, multi billion dollar planes, ....

reply to post by phroziac


HAHAHA! That could be it! Or it could be the layers and layers and layers of Administration that it takes just to buy a box of ink pens or toner for the printer.

I saw a wonderful speaker about he problems with government and how to fix them. He actually spoke to our whole government department! His name is Ken Miller, Extreme Government Makeover and his solutions are real, and simple, and direct, but they'll never happen, LOL!

Let me ask you this OP...

You pay taxes that go to the police and fire department right? If you witnessed a major accident while driving somewhere, and there were woman and children trapped inside a vehicle that started on fire, and they needed immediate help, would you not try to help them because you already pay for people to do that?

reply to post by darkhorserider


I understand your rant.

This church up the street is taking used winter clothes to donate to the families that are in need.

I think that's a good start. Donate clothes,toys,food...etc. Because you are right, where does the money go that we donate.

Originally posted by natalia
reply to post by darkhorserider

 

I understand your rant.

This church up the street is taking used winter clothes to donate to the families that are in need.

I think that's a good start. Donate clothes,toys,food...etc. Because you are right, where does the money go that we donate.

I would happily donate to anyone that was accepting used items and hand-me-downs. That is definitely a great start, and good indicator of a real charitable intention.

I would happily give blankets and coats and socks!