Donate the right side of a dollar to the Salvation Army, and add a note

saying that the left side was ignored this election, just a thought

You might be thinking with the wrong side of your brain.

to certain charities, if the left side of the dollar would be more appropriate then so be but I think some sort of statement can be made other than just ignoring the pot. The Salvation Army is very anti gay so giving them half of one dollar is more effective IF they know why. bty, you need three intact corners to make a true dollar

SA. One guy I spent time talking to said: what's the point in donating clothing to them when they turn around and stick it on a clothes hanger and add a price tag The very poor can't afford to "pay".... I asked him what I could do. He said to just give to the homeless shelters and/or volunteer down there.

He told me the SA had "changed" (at least in my area).

Funny this thread should come up. I copped an attitude myself after the elections. A grocery clerk asked me if I'd donate a dollar to a certain charity and I told them I didn't know where the bucks were going and the damned government or fat cat corps should be supporting the said charity. (I've been a willing donor a long time for many causes--even though I AM POOR)

I guess I was stunned to see "legal pan handlers" begging right after the election, where I'd hoped, via our candidate, we'd be seeing significant improvement in healthcare and the like...

My reply stunned the "begee" right back. :wow:

I really hate the Salvation Army, but this is a misconception.

In my experience at least, the poor never paid for anything from the stores. Clothes, furniture, household supplies. Whatever.

If they demonstrated a need, they were given an voucher to go to the store and get what they needed.

The thrift store sold things to the general public who were willing and able to pay for them, but people in need were given what they needed.

I should verify it on my own, in my town..I don't "know" the person I talked to. Maybe that guy didn't know what you're telling me.

I used to LOVE the SA for it's charity work. St Vincent DePaul was another good one..they would bring groceries out to people with no strings attached. The "No strings attached thing" is the what all of them should do, IMO

:hi:

I became totally disillusioned after we were gathering donations for winter coats, and I was doing data entry for the applicants.

The people working there were removing the best coats for themselves and their families. They weren't volunteers like me, they were paid staff.

They even removed the best FOOD for themselves. I was appalled.

I thought it might be isolated, but I encountered the same thing here in Ohio. I guess it's human nature to some extent, but I still think more could be done to stop it.

On top of that, their political views have left me hating them. Few people realize they are a cult rather than a charity.

Locally, their leader (I forget which military jargon they use -- Major, Captain, whatever) had a sign in his yard for the Republican candidate for Mayor a couple of years ago. He didn't live in the city limits and wasn't eligible to vote for mayor, but still put up the sign.

This year, he had a Bush/Cheney sign in his yard along with the other Republicans. I've no doubt those seeking help get an ear full of Republican BS.

isn't much better either. Hmm, I wonder who Goodwill is connected to.

Heck, if I had all my ducks in a row, I'd like to start something that helps people with medical bills etc. I had a lady friend over for a visit the other day. I hadn't seen her in a long time. She is a church goer but very disillusioned over the state of affairs in this country. She doesn't vote so I had no cause to blast her for anything; anyway she and her husband are hanging on by a thread over medical bills and insurance. Her daughter is nearly in a state of collapse for want of adequate medical attention but has no insurance.

My sister is hanging on by threads also. Medical and job related issues are her problem. I just WISH I could organize people like this to HELP one another through the hell we are facing.

Don't give to corporate/religious organizations, rather go out and give to someone in your neighborhood or extended family. Women's shelters, grey bears?, homeless shelters, half way houses, LIBERAL churches etc. That way you KNOW where your efforts are going.

Just my thoughts. Great thread

Our local Good Samaritan doesn't charge for clothes that have been donated.

and the recount effort. Though the idea gave me a chuckle. Maybe monopoly money would work better :evilgrin:

charity begins at home, my friend, and you'll likely need every cent of your money.

However, since we all spend money, I suggest writing on your bills: Bush stole it again thanks to Diebold, ES&S, etc.