Dealing With Charities

[royster]

This may seem like a hard-assed approach, but these are my experiences and responses to diverse charities. As we approach Christmas, this might help keep your heart-strings in check...and cash.

"Thanksgiving" is every day. Americans have been conditioned to save up for these spurts of emotion and social slatherings that prove not only meaningless, their value is greatly diminished because of the intention they are observed for: to be like the crowd. These same people will point accusing fingers at pagans and holler "Animal sacrifices!" while simultaniously cramming their faces with factory-farmed turkey. American "Thanksgiving" is the only observation of American Indians; the rest of the time, Columbus "discovered" the continent and Indians were mere conveniences or inconveniences, depending on the time of year. Incidentally, the original group of "Thanksgiving Indians" was slaughtered 20 years after the fact.

Here's one the Catholic church hates me doing:
[Knights Of Columbus] Would you like to help the retarded children?
[me] I already do: I don't call them 'retarded'.

Any worth-while spiritual observation is typically observed for at least 16 days.

While charities are seemingly good, you might do well to research where your money is going: are they addressing the cause, or are they generating more trinkets to mail out to you? What are their corporate bases? Who are they affiliated with?

I have come to understand that the person in a pinch is the one who needs any spare dollar I have. I do this all year long, every day. So when approaching the Salvation Army kettle, I let them know: humanity is still taking care of itself at the grass-roots level. Nice bell, good heart, I wish you well.

In 20 years, have pink ribbons "found a cure"? No, but they sure have financed a great advertising campaign for Avon. Cancer is a for-profit industry, and until you realise this, "the cure" is being held for ransom.

Yesterday a guy was standing there, asking for donations for drug education. Why don't we address the environment which prompts people to want to escape?

If you prefer to "feel good" by putting a band-aid on deep gashes, go ahead. Otherwise, I submit that our charity be in mind, action and discernation.

There. Now you have PLENTY of reason to dislike me.