The Uselessness of Private Charity

[chequita 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.

[Ben Kenobi]

Well, as the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat Che.

I've had friends help me over this hump where I've been out of work, so why not you?

This is a form of private charity, and should not be neglected.

[chequita guevara]

I don't want to get deeper in debt.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
There's too many people in need and not enough private charity to go around.

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

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't want to get deeper in debt.

Would they hold you in debt?

Mine haven't, which is why I accepted.

Now I'll be working, I can pay them back.

[Stuie]

Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
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.

I see a problem.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by Stuie


I see a problem.

Don't shatter the illusion.

[chequita guevara]

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?

How much more have they given to private charity since they got their tax cuts in the last couple years?

[GePap]

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?

Right, cause this is the reason they are not giving

Especially since you get to write off charitable donations from your taxes.

Private Charity is simply not enough to ever really take care of the needs of the poor- and if you need proof, just ask yourself why the social welfare state was built, since wya back when, before it, charity did exist, and tax rates were lower, so forth and so on.

[chequita guevara]

Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by Stuie


I see a problem.

Voice over IP requires DSL. It costs me less to have DSL and VoIP with no long distance than it does to have long distance and dial-up. Since I'm actively looking for work in more than just one city, it's kinda usefull and saves money.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Re: Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


How much more have they given to private charity since they got their tax cuts in the last couple years?

Obviously not enough so we need to cut their taxes more.

[chequita guevara]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by GhengisFarb
Obviously not enough so we need to cut their taxes more.

The rich give less to charity than they get back from their tax cuts. Tax cuts mean less money overall to both private and government aid.

[rah]

Re: Re: Re: The Uselessness of Private Charity

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


How much more have they given to private charity since they got their tax cuts in the last couple years?

Actually, private charities have been reporting rising contributions. (I saw it earlier this week in the paper, but sorry, no link) Since a good percentage of contributions come from wealthy, I'd have to say that the amount has risen.

[chequita guevara]

I don't doubt they're giving, but are they matching what's been lost?

[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.