I haven't posted about the Andy issue, but what about a "DU Crisis Fund"?

[UdoKier]

In the future, wouldn't it be better to have a general "DUer's help fund" for members in crisis, some sort of nonprofit fund that could be managed by someone who could verify the veracity of people asking for help?

I don't really know Andy Stephenson. He's apparently very popular, and that's terrific. I never jumped into the fundraising, not because I don't care about him, but because we are a large group, and to be honest, there are a LOT of people dealing with both severe health and financial problems. I need thousands of dollars worth of dental work that I CANNOT afford, and I'm teetering on the edge of financial ruin already. And I don't have a house to borrow against. (not that I'm comparing dental work to catastrophic illness)

Shouldn't catastrophic care like the tumor surgery he needed be covered by the hospital's indigent fund? I'm not sure how that works, but my wife went to the emergency room, got a huge bill, and the hospital paid for most of it from their indigent fund because we showed documentation that we couldn't afford it.


All I'm saying is that there are a LOT of us struggling. DUers helping DUers is a great idea. But making it all about one person is really a dangerous thing to do. People want to feel secure that their money was put to the best use. In Andy's case, I don't know any reason to think that it wasn't, but obviously some people have got some reservations.


So would a general DUers crisis fund that would give out a certain set maximum amount per person upon verification by a fund supervisor be a good idea to help solve this problem?

I'm just thinking out loud here. No axes to grind with anybody. Feel free to correct me if I'm factually wrong about anything.

[crispini]

1. Have you heard of Modest Needs?

www.modestneeds.org ... sounds exactly like what you're talking about. Check 'em out!

[jeanarrett]

11. I checked out this website, but

it's for "modest" needs of say $150 or less. You wouldn't be able to get major dental work done. It's a great idea though, if there were one on a larger scale.

[CJCRANE]

2. Kind of interesting...

these sort of ideas imply that DU is evolving into a real community...

On edit: Does this make Skinner Mayor of a virtual town?

[sui generis]

3. make no mistake

Skinner wasn't elected.

Skinner is The One and Only High Holy Grand Poobah of Virtual Town (bow before his mighty works).

[UdoKier]

4. And if he reads this and finds the seed of an idea, great.

That's the point.

[Texasgal]

5. I think that after this whole

debacle.... we should just stop trying to raise money on DU for members. It has caused too much grief.

Just my opinion.

[CJCRANE]

7. Yeah, could be better

to have an advice section with links to various organisations that can help people in difficulty.

[UdoKier]

8. I think it's a noble effort.

But it shows we're not immune to "the cult of personality". One person with a following, who is willing to make an appeal for himself, can get the ball rolling in a big way. That's great, assuming the person is on the level.

But there are a lot of us who keep our personal lives quietly away from this forum, for various reasons, and may not be inclined to make a big show.

I just thought maybe a general help fund would be a good solution. People could even ask anonymously for help, and everyone who "qualified" would get no more than a certain amount.

Just a thought, though.

[Texasgal]

15. I agree with the premise.

I just worry that raising money like this, IE: Andy can get dubious.

I am a true believer in most things, perhaps I am gullible, I don't know. However, after having read all the Andy posts and raising some questions of my own, I think it's just something that DU shouldn't be involved in.

[uppityperson]

6. DU is always in crisis

DUers, like people everywhere, are also having problems and could use help. We need to help each other, but I don't think DU is the place or has the capability or desire to monitor such an undertaking.

[AnnInLa]

9. The Andy issue?

I have just returned last night from 5 days away from the computer...yes, had withdrawal symptoms. I really, really don't want to start anything at all about Andy, but can someone just summarize briefly what has happened with his situation since last Thursday? (I donated...twice.)

I am one of the ones who thinks that DU should not allow private fundraising of any kind. I came to that conclusion during the recent controversy re Andy.

thanks in advance for any info

[uppityperson]

12. locked huge threads, questions, accusations, name calling

hurt feelings, on and on and on. Now locked while it gets sorted out and only grovelbot/donate avatars. Check GD for 300+ locked thread if you need.

[AnnInLa]

14. Thx...did he have the surgery? If so, how is he doing, if not

why not? Nothing controversial, just want to know if my donation was well spent.

[AnnInLa]

16. Never mind...just read the thread

good grief

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. This thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3672828

[theboss]

10. I have some ideas on a thread I started

See here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3674268