The Uselessness of Private Charity

[Ben Kenobi]

That's the biggest point, Rah.

Private charities get you more bang for your buck, so it is not enough to say that the dollars cut from the government need to be paid back at an equivalent rate to private charities.

[Dis]

I don't think charities help white people anyways. . So you're better off getting a job.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by rah
That would be hard to judge.
But I'd be willing to bet that most reputable charities (especially after the united way scandal) have a lower administration % than the government.

It depends. A lot of private charities spend a lot of money on getting more money. Private charities specifically helping the poor (as opposed to say, the Lyric Opera or the Lincoln Park Zoo) probably have a much lower operating cost. They get a lot of free volunteer work as well as people willing to work for less. Then again, it's not like government pay is so great.

That is an interesting point I just thought. While donations to private charity is up, how much of that is earmarked for helping people and how much is for pay for things the rich enjoy as well (the aforementions Opera and Zoo, Metropolitan Park, etc.) It's money well spent, IMO, but it doesn't help the poor keep from being homeless.

[Flubber]

Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
As you may know, I'm currently on unemployment (my last month, also). .

Best of luck-- I had two stints of unemployment in the last three years and know how worrying it can be. Thankfully they were short enough that I never had to go on unemplyment benefits. The maximum benefits here seem to max out at around 20,000 per year.

As for charities to help the poor, they do good work but all they really accomplish is to blunt some of the effects of poverty. Solutions involve things like low cost housing or job creation. I give both food and money but do so knowing its only a band-aid solution

[Drachasor]

Originally posted by rah
That would be hard to judge.
But I'd be willing to bet that most reputable charities (especially after the united way scandal) have a lower administration % than the government.

*If* that's the case (and it is only a suspicion) the solution is to do the work to make the government more efficient.

There are ways to increase government efficiency, and I do not deny the Big G can learn something from how businesses are run to do this.

First of all, Line Item Veto and some other changes can get rid of Pork.

Secondly, there are a lot of agencies with overlapping or similar jobs, and they need to be reduced down into a smaller number of more efficient agencies.

Thirdly, we need a much greater focus on efficiency in the government, and efficiency experts and even a law that requires all bills to go through an "efficiency comittee" that looked through current law and looked to fit in that changes into current agencies and the like, as well as assessing the practicality of the bill, would help greatly.

Yes, the Big G is in some ways more and even a lot more inefficient, but it also has the means, the numbers, and the other tools at its hands to handle charity in a much better and fairer way than any private organization.

-Drachasor

[Drachasor]

Oh, and anyone that doesn't think that an internet connection and even a high-speed internet connection is almost if not a basic necessity in this day and age hasn't been paying attention.

-Drachasor

[GePap]

Originally posted by rah
That would be hard to judge.
But I'd be willing to bet that most reputable charities (especially after the united way scandal) have a lower administration % than the government.

They also have a much smaller reach and can only give limited aide.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Drachasor
Oh, and anyone that doesn't think that an internet connection and even a high-speed internet connection is almost if not a basic necessity in this day and age hasn't been paying attention.

-Drachasor

it's not a necessity. I've been thinking about quitting my job. And if I do, I will cut my internet access. And you won't have me around to bug you all.

I doubt I will quit though. But it seems pointless to work a job I'm unhappy with. The problem is though, I would probably be unhappy working any job.

I hate all work. I just want to kick back and not work and have a socialist society pay my bills. Is that possible anywhere?

[Japher]

On Kidicious Island I am sure that is possible Diss.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by GhengisFarb

Maybe we can cut the taxes on the rich somemore so they have more excess income to fund the private charities with?

Or get new Beemer SUV's, cuban cigars, better champagne and higher priced hookers.

[Drachasor]

Originally posted by Dissident
it's not a necessity. I've been thinking about quitting my job. And if I do, I will cut my internet access. And you won't have me around to bug you all.

Will you die? No, but then you don't really need a house to live, now do you? You don't really need medical care either, nor any other kind of care.

That doesn't mean that for practical purposes it is a necessity to have that access in a modern society. While not entirely true, it is becoming more and more true.

Originally posted by Dissident
I doubt I will quit though. But it seems pointless to work a job I'm unhappy with. The problem is though, I would probably be unhappy working any job.

That may or may not be the case. If it is, then it is unfortunate. If you are unaware of a job you'd enjoy, then that is also unfortunate. My condolences.

Originally posted by Dissident
I hate all work. I just want to kick back and not work and have a socialist society pay my bills. Is that possible anywhere?

Not in a pragmatic socialist society, no.

[Jaguar]

Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
As you may know, I'm currently on unemployment (my last month, also). I get enough to pay rent, with $300 left over for phone, DSL, electricity, and food. It's not enough, so I tried to get charity to help with the electric bill.

First they told me they couldn't help unless the power company was threatening to to cut off the power. Now that the power company is doing just that, I can't get through to any of the charities to get help. They are swamped with calls.

There's too many people in need and not enough private charity to go around. And some people want more of this.


BTW, this is not a "help us thread," just a complaint about the idea that private charities are an answer and better than the government.

If you have DSL and a computer, you're a lot better off than a lot of people. Don't expect them to help you.

[GePap]

Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by Jaguar

If you have DSL and a computer, you're a lot better off than a lot of people. Don't expect them to help you.

He's somehow better of that donors to charity?

[Whaleboy]

Strip for money!

[Jaguar]

Re: Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by GePap


He's somehow better of that donors to charity?

What sort of dumb question is that?

He's better off than the people who should be recieving charity.