Americans: We're not all bad!

[Goldie]

Americans are most charitable in the world!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/25/cha....ap/index.html

I thought, for a change, it would be nice to look at what Americans do right. We ARE a generous bunch...something I have always known...at least in the communities I have lived.
I realize that a large chunk goes to churches...but many give to other charities THOUGH churches.
This was not the article that I first read. It was more detailed. But this one will do.
Another point made in the first article I read was that they figued if you were to put a price on all of the volunteer work done by US citizens you would double that $ number!

[verte]

"What people find especially interesting about this, and it's true year after year, that such a high percentage comes from individual donors," Giving USA Chairman Richard Jolly said.

That is very encouraging to read.

[Master Taran]

[disgracian]

Lost for words, MT?

Cheers,

[Master Taran]

Originally Posted by disgracian

Lost for words, MT?

Nope.

[disgracian]

Hmm. That animated smiley wasn't showing when I replied, so it looked like a completely empty post.

Cheers,

[Master Taran]

OH.

[Puck]

Problem is, we are sloppy in who we donate our money to, so often, 75% or more goes into the pockets of those raising the money, for 'operating expenses'.

[Goldie]

Originally Posted by Puck

Problem is, we are sloppy in who we donate our money to, so often, 75% or more goes into the pockets of those raising the money, for 'operating expenses'.

Yes. True. But AS A PEOPLE, for the most part, I think we have big hearts...and I think that gets lost in all of the Bush BS and the fundie extremism.
I think...I HOPE...that the majority of the American people are starting to take their heads out of the sand...or their asses...(whichever you prefer)

I don't think the majority want this any more than we do. As i said...we're not ALL bad.
Personally, I stay away from big organizations and give locally and help when I can, those that I know personally, who need it. And... i am not rich...not by a long shot.

We have an extremist...hmmm, well he's something....let's just call him a Bush supporter, who writes Letters To The Editor here in town. He is really whacked out. Wed. he said that "It bothers me to say this, but I believe the war in Iraq is not winnable as it is being fought." This was a big step for him and he still wrote a whole bunch of off the wall stuff. It gives me hope though that if this asshole can see it than maybe the other's are seeing it as well.

Sadly though, when it comes to voting I'm betting they will cut off thier noses to spite thier faces.

[A Dead Relative]

Biggest chunk of donations went to religious organizations...

Figures!

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Thalia

Wed. he said that "It bothers me to say this, but I believe the war in Iraq is not winnable as it is being fought."

As long as that statement is followed by the all-too-common "we ought to just nuke the place and have done with it", that's fine.

[Shake]

Originally Posted by Puck

Problem is, we are sloppy in who we donate our money to, so often, 75% or more goes into the pockets of those raising the money, for 'operating expenses'.

That was one thing I liked about when the AF had its annual Combined Federal Campaign: in the booklet they gave you listing all of the agencies you could give to, there were listings of what each one's operating expenses were, as a percentage. The lower the number, the more of your money went to whatever cause it was. They'd actually IIRC drop groups which had consistently high costs, and they'd also highlight those with little to no overhead expenses.

Not that many enlisted folks are paid enough to be giving money away, but that's a whole other ball of wax.

[Goldie]

I, too, have seen that list...AND...I think that the majority of these people DON'T really have money to give... The COOL PART IS....
they do it anyway.

Giving when it hurts MEANS more.

I don't just give indiscriminately... I give to small orgs. that can show where its going. Things near and dear to my heart.... but mostly...I give to people that I know are in need.
For example: I heard that a young family was having trouble. It was a temporary thing...but they were going to have their power cut off and have to eat macaroni and catsup.... Their families could not help... and I thought...BULLSHIT!
So...that month... I did without a luxury or two...so what...when it meant so much to them.

Chuck and I didn't have parents or anyone to lean on when times got tough. So, I promised myself that when I could, I would.
As it turned out ... the mother and child were killed a month later.
Well, at least I know that I eased some of that stress from their final month as a family...and...I have the most beautiful thank you card that I will cherish for the rest of my life. (tho...I don't expect a thank you)
Yes...America is pretty fucked up... but I really believe that the majority of American people are good and DO care. They just need to SEE. It needs to be REAL to them... and often, they get overwhelmed and it is all too much.
I guess I still hold out a lot more hope than you guys... But, then again I live in Moscow, ID, a small...enlightened place, where people actually give a fuck..