Donor's Remorse?
Are you too experiencing "Donor's Remorse?"
Let me provide some background here so that there isn't just a bunch of bashing after reading.
Our family donated a sum of money to the Katrina Hurrican Relief effort recently - because frankly it's all we can do. Going down there clearly isn't an option. I don't have access to vast resources of "stuff" that they need. Providing money has been the most requsted and "sound" effort and so we did, proudly and quickly (the second day of the event).
While watching a CNN clip this morning on the web, I heard the strangest thing:
"Sho', we gots food, but I ain't had a warm meal in 9 days."
The on-site reporter provides some more questions.
The same lady chimes in "yes, we gots water, but we ain't got no ice fo' it."
A short while later, when discussing the recently issued Red Cross/FEMA debit cards there is a woman asking "what do you means I only gets $2000?"
As I crumple in my chair as I watch this, I wonder - am I the only one that wonders what the media might be able to accomplish were there some POSITIVE reports of appreciative people instead of people complaning about the quality of food and water they're now receiving?
I know that the money we've donated is going to a good cause, but good gawd: how about showing some of the payoff rather than the inane bitching of those that still aren't happy with either the governmental, organization or complete volunteer provided payout and assistance.
Eeeek.
It just continues to remind me what kind of a constant crutch public assistance can become when people are never encouraged to use it as the last-ditch life-line to give you time to better yourself. Public assistance is not a way of life - it's intended to be a bridge so that when the goings get rough, you can sustain what you've got and try to get a leg up.
That last step - evntually trying to improve one's own situation - has been completely forgotten.
The result is that an implantation of the dreaded "where's my check" mentality has given birth to an ever-escalating sense of entitlement that has no place in our society and will lead to our eventual downfall if it's not halted.
(Wondering) Can I FedEx a catered 4-course meal with some milkshakes or something. (Shakes head).
Let me provide some background here so that there isn't just a bunch of bashing after reading.
Our family donated a sum of money to the Katrina Hurrican Relief effort recently - because frankly it's all we can do. Going down there clearly isn't an option. I don't have access to vast resources of "stuff" that they need. Providing money has been the most requsted and "sound" effort and so we did, proudly and quickly (the second day of the event).
While watching a CNN clip this morning on the web, I heard the strangest thing:
"Sho', we gots food, but I ain't had a warm meal in 9 days."
The on-site reporter provides some more questions.
The same lady chimes in "yes, we gots water, but we ain't got no ice fo' it."
A short while later, when discussing the recently issued Red Cross/FEMA debit cards there is a woman asking "what do you means I only gets $2000?"
As I crumple in my chair as I watch this, I wonder - am I the only one that wonders what the media might be able to accomplish were there some POSITIVE reports of appreciative people instead of people complaning about the quality of food and water they're now receiving?
I know that the money we've donated is going to a good cause, but good gawd: how about showing some of the payoff rather than the inane bitching of those that still aren't happy with either the governmental, organization or complete volunteer provided payout and assistance.
Eeeek.
It just continues to remind me what kind of a constant crutch public assistance can become when people are never encouraged to use it as the last-ditch life-line to give you time to better yourself. Public assistance is not a way of life - it's intended to be a bridge so that when the goings get rough, you can sustain what you've got and try to get a leg up.
That last step - evntually trying to improve one's own situation - has been completely forgotten.
The result is that an implantation of the dreaded "where's my check" mentality has given birth to an ever-escalating sense of entitlement that has no place in our society and will lead to our eventual downfall if it's not halted.
(Wondering) Can I FedEx a catered 4-course meal with some milkshakes or something. (Shakes head).
posted by Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking at 10:53 AM
3 Comments:
As the old saying goes, "You can please some of the people some of the time but not all the people, all of the time".
You have to remember that the media is looking for news that provokes thought and action. Otherwise, we wouldn't listen or watch.
(1) Those of us who are looking for work are being pushed aside to help the victims of the floor first even though we have lived and paid taxes in OUR home state.
(2) I'm tired of hearing about it and seeing it on every TV station and radio program.
Although you know it's kind of nice to see some other people on here posting...shows you have some thought provoking posts...
As far as donations go...I'm tired of hearing people coming around to me who make it a point...to point out...that they are going to donate money...what, do you want a trophy or something? Can you not donate without letting other people know? It's amazing how many people can't just give for giving sake. Same with companies that point out all the "good things" they do for the community when in fact they wouldn't do it at all if they didn't get the publicity.
It would be refresing to NOT see people/companies MARKETING that they are givers!!!
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