Gimme, gimme, GIMME

[JDgreen227]

I just visited my email home page and Facebook, and some people I know have sent out emails and posted on Facebook that they are asking for donations for their elderly father (and father in law) because he is having difficulty having ends meet. The man in question retired in 1992 with a generous pension and full medical care benefits, but he seriously neglected his health and let his finances go to (bleep) and filed for bankruptcy in 2008, plus let his health get so bad because he neglected his diabetes he has had both legs amputated and undergoes kidney dialysis every week. While I have to feel bad for him, I do think it very crass that his son and daughter-in-law are using their email contacts and Facebook friends to solict donations for this man. To do so during the Christmas holiday makes it even more crass, IMO. What are your opinions?

 

[TCJatko]

Hey, the old guy has Social Security and Medicare. What more could he possibly need?

 

[creekbend]

I know many people that are living on a limited income and are retired. They aren't asking for anything that they haven't earned. We are included in that list. Times get rough, but one must set their priorities and forget about extravagant expenditures.

 

[daugen]

If you know the person, and have some form of connection, and know the money is not going up the children's noses, I think it's like McDonald's asking if you want to donate a dollar to Ronald McDonald House.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. You should be able to set your own priorities without getting in to a guilt trip.
If someone is genuinely trying to help another and not just self benefit, well, I think we can give them some slack. But none of us can always say yes.

My understanding is that when someone retires with a "generous pension" normally it remains generous until they die, assuming they are set up on a monthly income payout. So there should be a continuing income stream to take care of necessities. Is the money being solicited to pay for debt?

did they say please?....

 

[hawkeye08]

Guess it depends on how well you know them and how deep your pockets are...

 

[daugen]

one must set their priorities and forget about extravagant expenditures. Like kidney dialysis every week ????

do or die. If he has a hundred dollar deductible or similar every time he goes, that could get to be a problem quickly. Or if he has to pay for transportation to appointments.

 

[sodamo]

I suppose responding with a call for donations to prepay his cremation would be crass.

Every year I get more and more annoyed this time of year with the increasingly blatant call for handouts.
Toys for Tots and others only take brand new stuff and money anymore, and stuff is refused if not good enough.
On one of our Adopt A Family pleas the other night, the asking mother was holding a newish smartphone, sure, the phone itself might not have cost so much, but hat monthly bill would buy a lot of food, presents, etc.

Just the other day, after watching one of the pleading newscasts, I asked my wife if growing up,she ever got as nice of stuff for presents as they were showing, I sure didn't.

Guess I've become jaded my later years, but before I just giveaway I take a look and if I see wasteful decision making, I just prefer to waste myself.

Basically, I'm more than willing to help someone in need, but I won't be an enabler for someone who has developed need into their lifestyle.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[daugen]

I suppose responding with a call for donations to prepay his cremation would be crass.

Every year I get more and more annoyed this time of year with the increasingly blatant call for handouts.
Toys for Tots and others only take brand new stuff and money anymore, and stuff is refused if not good enough.
On one of our Adopt A Family pleas the other night, the asking mother was holding a newish smartphone, sure, the phone itself might not have cost so much, but hat monthly bill would buy a lot of food, presents, etc.

Just the other day, after watching one of the pleading newscasts, I asked my wife if growing up,she ever got as nice of stuff for presents as they were showing, I sure didn't.

Guess I've become jaded my later years, but before I just giveaway I take a look and if I see wasteful decision making, I just prefer to waste myself.

Basically, I'm more than willing to help someone in need, but I won't be an enabler for someone who has developed need into their lifestyle.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

nicely said, thanks. For a number of years I delivered food baskets to local residents at holidays, those in need.
While the roads are littered with Range Rovers and BMW's, there are lots of those living quiet lives on inadequate income streams,
who just can't get by. Most of the folk I delivered food to were one parent households with kids. I think the need would be less if divorced spouses, if they
can, would live up to their child support obligations. To see the looks of the moms who now knew they could cook a nice ham for Christmas, or a turkey for Thanksgiving for their kids,
well those looks make it all worthwhile. This is face to face; I can see where they live, how they live, will the teenage son even help me lug in the bag of potatoes. Only had one family so far
that when the front door opened it looked like a furniture showroom. Many of these families still had a lot of moving boxes being used for tables. And some looked downright panicked by where they had wound
up, because it sure wasn't where they had been. After I delivered to about eight families, I went home and felt pretty fortunate.

The scammers and ripoff artists are getting smarter all the time. It's hard to trust people as we used to.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Just have everyone go on FOOD STAMPS then they can order Lobster & Steaks like this person did with YOUR MONEY

 

[ljohnson778]

I don't know folks... Maybe I'm soft. Maybe it's the time of year. I've made poor decisions in my life, plenty of 'em. Thankfully, friends and family didn't lecture me on how I made my own bed, etc. They showed me compassion, and helped me out. I have a great job now, and have more than enough to provide for my needs. I find it very rewarding to pay it forward, rather than being judgmental. Remember, "There, but for the grace of God, go I..."

I wish the retired gentleman referenced by the OP well, and would help if I knew who he was. Regarding the food stamp purchase, I simply can't judge, because I don't know any of the circumstances surrounding it. Was it an ailing family member's request? I'm ok with that. Was it a parent's attempt to help their family live a little and feel like "normal" people and splurge a bit? I'm ok with that.

Merry Christmas everyone.