To the DU Community -- Please tell me why I should bother...

[Kimberly]

Let the Class Warfare begin!

brooklynite  (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-08-10 12:19 PM
Original message
To the DU Community -- Please tell me why I should bother...
 Before getting to my point, let me make two things clear:

1) I'm rich. I make six figures; my wife makes seven. Around here though, it doesn't matter that we use a lot of that money in support of Democratic candidates and in support of Democratic issues, as well as give a lot to charity, and it doesn't matter that we're fully prepared to pay responsible tax rates to support the Government. At DU these days, if you're doing well, you must be a money-grubbing capitalist who doesn't produce anything worthwhile, and who doesn't give a damn about anyone else.

2) I'm a moderate. I probably agree with people here 75-80% of the time of the major issues to be addresses (social security, Gay marriage, foreign policy, etc), although I'm more inclined to start with a middle of the road solution and advance from their, rather than demand an all-or-nothing vote on an ideological policy position; I'm also inclined to support more conservative Democrats in districts where progressives are not likely to be successful. Around here though, that makes me "DINO" or a "Conservadem" who wants to drive all progressives out of the Party and make it become "Republican Lite".

Which brings me to my current issue:

My wife and I have a policy of matching every dollar we give to political groups with a dollar given to charity, and after this past election, we have a target of about $60,000. One of the groups we regularly give to is Feeding America, which in the current economic climate needs as much help as it can get.

For the past three years, I've sponsored a challenge to DU, matching every dollar contributed to FA with a dollar of my own. This is normally the point at which I would renew my offer to Skinner. Today, however, I'm asking myself "should I"?

Mind you FA will still get it's money from me. My only question is, do I want to involve DU this time around. The bitter hostility that currently permeates the discussion boards (GD in particular) in which nobody can apparently accept that a differing opinion might have some measure of legitimacy, and the vigorous hostility to anyone (myself included) who isn't "us" in some economic or ideological way has badly damaged the community spirit that a successful fund raising drive requires. And, given that uncertainty, maybe I should just send in my money today, rather than wait three weeks to see whether DU can pull together.

So, in all seriousness: please tell my if I should bother this year, and why.

Since the DUmmies can't change their nature, the thread instantly devolves into bashfest against the op. Predictably.

[CactusCarlos]

I find your charitable efforts hignly laudible ....
Posted by hlthe2b on Wed Dec-08-10 12:25 PM

but your post is a wee bit offensive, IMO, as it feels like an ultimatum that you feel entitled to deliver because of your monetary success. Though you are doing very well, we have a lot of DUers who are unemployed, homeless, and fearful and your post is pretty insensitive. I think consideration for their need to express their considerable angst, frustration, fear is a given.

That said, I too am concerned about the constant battles and tenor on the site. I guess you should do with your considerable monetary resources as you please and I hope you will use it to its best positive impacts. Most of us are already fed up at corporations and those who use big money to get their way at our expense,, so I don't think you will get too positive a reception to your demands.

Peace

Someone please explain to me how so many homeless are able to post at DU? 

[JohnnyReb]

He makes 6 figures and wife makes 7 figures....

Him: $1,017.39 per year picking up aluminum cans.

Her: $12, 346.56 flipping burgers at McDee's.

[AllosaursRus]

Someone please explain to me how so many homeless are able to post at DU? 

Bobo the Hobo is the only "homeless' DUmbass over there that I'm aware of, and she isn't really homeless. She lives in some kind of free, or nearly free rent, apartment complex. ( slum, ghetto, according to her admissions )

[BlueStateSaint]

Someone please explain to me how so many homeless are able to post at DU? 

Bobbo The Hobo has a bunch of sock puppets?

[Evil_Conservative]

If I were him, I'd just donate my money and leave DU in the dirt.  Oh, and just to be a bitch, I'd post a picture of my bank statement showing all the "G's" in my account to make them even more upset.  lol

[AllosaursRus]

If I were him, I'd just donate my money and leave DU in the dirt.  Oh, and just to be a bitch, I'd post a picture of my bank statement showing all the "G's" in my account to make them even more upset.  lol

Hehehehehe! Must be why you have "Evil" in your handle!!!! I approve!

[jukin]

ZERO BONG

[DumbAss Tanker]

He makes 6 figures and wife makes 7 figures....

You'd think in most professions at that level, you'd be dealing with someone who knew the difference between 'Their' and 'There' in that second paragraph, wouldn't you?

[Ralph Wiggum]

You'd think in most professions at that level, you'd be dealing with someone who knew the difference between 'Their' and 'There' in that second paragraph, wouldn't you?

I noticed that too. 

[shadeaux]

This is too "rich".   

How many are sending poor mouth pms to the rich guy right now hoping to tap that bank account for themselves ?

And let's be honest here, most of the DUmmies are nice to Peg because she's loaded and they're hoping she gives them a little something something.

They all brag about giving money.  They're full of shit.  They're takers.  They can't take enough.

If I were rich guy, I'd do a burnout and get that tombstone. If he doesn't, they will find out rich guy ain't rich. Then they'll snub him.

[Traveshamockery]

He makes 6 figures and wife makes 7 figures....

Him: $1,017.39 per year picking up aluminum cans.

Her: $12, 346.56 flipping burgers at McDee's.

 

[LC EFA]

brooklynite  (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-08-10 12:19 PM
Original message
To the DU Community -- Please tell me why I should bother...
 Before getting to my point, let me make two things clear:

1) I'm rich. I make six figures; my wife makes seven. Around here though, it doesn't matter that we use a lot of that money in support of Democratic candidates and in support of Democratic issues, as well as give a lot to charity, and it doesn't matter that we're fully prepared to pay responsible tax rates to support the Government. At DU these days, if you're doing well, you must be a money-grubbing capitalist who doesn't produce anything worthwhile, and who doesn't give a damn about anyone else.
...

Feel free to cut a nice fat check to the IRS then.

"We're fully prepared to" means that you won't pay a single thin dime more than you have to unless forced. I'd wager if you really earn as much as you claim  - you have a beancounter that gets you off paying most of your "fair share" in the first place.

[Karin]

readmoreoften  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-08-10 12:48 PM
Response to Original message
32. It's not your "opinions" I disagree with, it's your actions.
 As a "rich" person who backs conservatives, you vote to make yourself richer, then you clear your conscious by patting yourself on the back for your "charity."  ....followed by blah blah blah blah........
We need justice. We don't need your "charity."
 

He stole Bobolink's motto!  Justice not "Charity!"  Fist in the air. 


I thought this was funny:

superduperfarleft (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-08-10 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #61
This reminds me of the DUers who said they would stop supporting GLBT issues if GLBT people didn't stop saying mean things about Obama. 
 

Could they be any more 2nd grade?

It's an enormous bonfire, with everybody repeating themselves. 

[chitownchica]

Dude would get more dollar for dollar matching if he posted on conservative websites. They don't like charity unless it's directly from his bank account to their hands.

[Evil_Conservative]

Bobo the Hobo showed up...

bobbolink Donating Member (1000+ posts)  Dec-08-10 01:45 PM
Original message
Something for you to consider.
   
Since you have enough money to give away that could affect some REAL change, how about considering giving to efforts to change the situation so that charity isn't needed?

Here's something for you to ponder...poor people really don't WANT charity.. we want to be able to take care of ourselves, on our own terms, with dignity and grace, rather than having to debase ourselves receiving "help".

Maybe this is the season to imagine yourself in the down position, and what YOU would want in that case.

Thank you.

Yet you do nothing to better yourself.  You expect someone else to do it for you.

There is a lot more from Bobo, but I can't be bothered to copy & paste all of it right now.  Check it out for yourselves.  It's a pity party.

[Chris_]

They don't want charity... how else does someone without a job or any resources to support themselves expect to "be able to take care of ourselves, on our own terms, with dignity and grace, rather than having to debase ourselves receiving 'help'."  Is a job supposed to magically appear in front of you while you're living in your car, sticking it to the man and his corrupt system?  I wonder what bobbo actually does on a day-to-day basis to improve her life in any meaningful manner.  Charity?  Nope.  Government?  Not good enough.

Let her starve.

[Evil_Conservative]

That thread was locked, BTW.

[Chris_]

That thread was locked, BTW.

It's the thought that counts.

[true_blood]

quinnox  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)   Wed Dec-08-10 12:27 PM
Response to Original message
7. Its admirable you give so much to charity But I think this post was ill-advised and doesn't show you in the best light.

This primitive sounds angry because they are "rich". The DUmmies don't like that, unless it applies to them personally.

[Freeper]

Bobo the Hobo showed up...

Yet you do nothing to better yourself.  You expect someone else to do it for you.

There is a lot more from Bobo, but I can't be bothered to copy & paste all of it right now.  Check it out for yourselves.  It's a pity party.

Hell Bobo must not consider getting govt funded goodies as help then. 

[Boudicca]

He makes 6 figures and wife makes 7 figures....

Him: $1,017.39 per year picking up aluminum cans.

Her: $12, 346.56 flipping burgers at McDee's.

I had to give you a HI5 for that priceless comment.

[Boudicca]

They don't want charity... how else does someone without a job or any resources to support themselves expect to "be able to take care of ourselves, on our own terms, with dignity and grace, rather than having to debase ourselves receiving 'help'."  Is a job supposed to magically appear in front of you while you're living in your car, sticking it to the man and his corrupt system?  I wonder what bobbo actually does on a day-to-day basis to improve her life in any meaningful manner.  Charity?  Nope.  Government?  Not good enough.

Let her starve.

She's a waste of oxygen, but it's funny as hell to watch her fellow DUmmies fall all over themselves trying to appease her.  NOTHING you fools say or do would be good enough for her.

[BlueStateSaint]

She's a waste of oxygen, but it's funny as hell to watch her fellow DUmmies fall all over themselves trying to appease her.  NOTHING you fools say or do would be good enough for her.

Bingo!  She wants everything handed to her, as she needs/desires it, when she needs/desires it, and she doesn't want to have to pay for it.  A true oxygen thief.

[Karin]

Here's the thing about bobo.  Back when we were in our early 20's, while some of us had misspent youths, most of us were building skill thru education or work, and learning some of life's tough lessons.  Now we're standing on our feet.  What was bobo doing?  Traveling about in a VW van, going from protest to protest to rave like a loon in the street, with a toddler in tow.  God only knows what was going on inside that van.  Actions.  Consequences.  The DUmmies never learn.