Helping one another here on DU - Some thoughts on it

[The Straight Story]

We are a party of second chances (and third, ... etc). We know folks aren't perfect, that they may be in a bad way (money, physically, mentally). It could be family problems, deaths, and the list goes on.

DU'ers have done well in many ways in helping others. I just wonder if there are not more things we can do. And I suppose before answering that we (myself included) might need to examine ways to help and build up/help people.

And no - not saying folks here aren't doing enough - but like posts here about our party, there are always ways to improve. I know I could sure as hell improve :)

I am thankful to Skinner for allowing people to post here for help when they get in a bind, just wondering if maybe we could go one more step or so.

1. We have some great DU groups several folks have turned me onto lately, and it is evident there are many of our fellow DU'ers who need some loving.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=352

Ashamedly, I have only recently started reading there. I spend a lot of time in GD - and I can tell by views so do many lurkers. I urge you to take some time to wander over there and at least read some.

2. I don't know how, or if here is the place to even try, or if it is even a good idea - but here is this one:
Find a way we can set aside a small space to donate some funds to a central location which people could delegate to those in need as either free money to assist or loan it out to them.
Now before someone says 'hey that is what a bank does' I can tell you, and I work for a bank, tons of people who need help are turned down. Where were they for Andy? It took a lot of good people to make that happen.

Yeah - I know folks, it is a crazy assed idea that most will say does not belong here. And maybe it doesn't. But I would be willing to kick in every few paydays a few bucks. I spend a lot of time here talking to damn fine people and I don't have enough to help alone. Having grown up a church goer one thing I can say is that they knew how to get money together for others, though they lacked in some general ways in that department.

My fellow DU'ers are like an extended family to me. You get to know people here over time, and you get frustrated when you see em in need and there is little you can do. Would that I were wealthy. I got my own damned problems I am facing right now that are killing me, but I could still find a few dollars to add to a fund (ie, when able I could add to it, and when someone needs something if I don't have it now at least I put some into the pot for others). Hell, the interest it gained could go back into running DU.

Donors could have a say in how it is dispersed, or maybe the mods, whatever. Hell, I have no idea - just tossing it out as an idea in general.

3. Forgive posters, or at least give em some leeway, when they go off the deep end as we see it on some posts. People have bad days, and it comes out on here sometimes. I know one time I told skinner just to tombstone me over something so trivial it is not even funny - but I was so depressed that day that little things were enormous.

People have really bad days, and we are not in their situation. Let's cut each other some slack. If you think you are having a bad day check out some issues fellow DU'ers are having:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=276

I don't want to get so lost in politics and my hatred of the evil oozing from the rw fundies that I forget to help my fellow human, especially those I see here day to day on DU.

Sure we can, and should when able, go out and help people in need. But there are those right here on this board right now we can help, without leaving home - unless, of course, you have to go to a cyber-cafe for internet connection ;)

YOU have all done this well, and I hope I can do better at it. I just wanted to toss this out there are food for thought.

Folks on here have feelings, and sometimes they are in a mess and little things can be really hurtful - or tremendously helpful.

We have to stick together and be an example of real compassion, not the fake shit the rw talks about :)


We all make mistakes. I made mine. It's a Wonderful Life should not just be a movie, it should be something we can relate to and engage in.

[Erika]

1. It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite

It is patriotic, sweet, and pure. It shows the democratic values on what life should be.

Potter reminds me of Cheney.

[The Straight Story]

2. To me it was clear - Potter and crew were obviously repubs :) (nt)

[wake.up.america]

3. I am thankful to live in a wonderful area. I am thankful for my family and my friends.

I need to help more.

[The Straight Story]

4. We all do my friend

My situation is not good right now, but I have it better than some. I sometimes get so lost in my own issues I blow off those of others.

I know what it is like to be on the verge of your entire life collapsing. It ain't pretty. And if I can help others, even when I cannot help myself, then sign me up.

I teeter between life being what I had always wanted it to be, and it being so bad it gives me nightmares. But some things are going great, and there is no reason I cannot at least do something for other people to help them. It don't take much to do something nice.

The only problem is that there is only one me, so all those wanting to make out with me I cannot help. Sigh...

:rofl:

edited fur pour grammur

[ninkasi]

5. Didn't we have a fundraiser

after Katrina, to help our DU friends? I believe that those who are talented donated things to auction, with the proceeds going to Katrina victims. I could donate money, or, with Christmas coming, perhaps some of us could donate items to auction. That would help those of us who need it, and eliminate the hassles of Christmas shipping. I make some things with polymer clay, some altered books, art dolls, things like that, that I would be more than glad to offer. I'm probably one of the least talented among us, but you get the idea. Thanks for the suggestion, and I'll do whatever is necessary.

[The Straight Story]

6. Good ideas

And I love Polymer clay!

[rosesaylavee]

7. Interesting idea

but what would be the qualifiers for receiving the funds? Setting up a fund may be the easiest part - the decision on who distributes the fund, how the fund is managed and who receives the money... those would be the tough questions for this.

Would Skinner need to set up a non-profit foundation to handle the monies? 90,000 people could donate a lot of money. Or should we as a board adopt an already established charity to work through?

NOT that I am saying this isn't a good idea but those would be the immediate hurdles to setting this up.

[BR_Parkway]

8. We could set up our own group at Prosper to help each other

It's a peer-to-peer bank. People in the group who have a need can make a loan request, those who can help out can bid on that request. Someone needs 1,000 - 200 people kicking in $5 each covers it.

I just set up a group called Blue to Blue - https://www.prosper.com/public/groups/group_home.aspx?group_short_name=blue2blue


Skinner would probably want this to be separate from DU, and rightfully so. But brainstorming it here could be ok, not to mention Blue helping Blue is always better than feeding the corporate beast.

Once we have a core group of members, we can make decisions about how much would be the maximum to loan out, what percentage of loans are made to what categories, etc. I selected the lowest "rewards" for a group leader (percentage of Proper fees paid for administrator time and effort) so that we could use the balance (75%) for strictly charitable requests vs loans to people who need to borrow money

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. That's a great idea BR_P...

I agree that Skinner would want it to be separate as there would be problems, I am sure.

But going with the peer to peer bank is a great idea. :thumbsup:

[BR_Parkway]

10. Thanks, if we can't help each other out, then there really isn't much

else that matters is there.

My partner has been an investor/member there for about a year now - he's the one that introduced me to the concept or peer-to-peer. Thought of it as soon as I read the OP. So I set up the group strictly for those referred from DU (and other similar blogs I guess if it got wide ranging support), they'll take a couple days to verify some of my financial creds, bank accounts and such but I think it will accept new members now if they sign up at the link.

[wake.up.america]

12. I really agree with you!! Some people are in dire need of assistance, some like...

myself are looking for contacts and business advice from nice, friendly people.

I would rather hook up with people with whom I believe share similar values.

OK- what can I offer?

[The Straight Story]

15. We need some good brainstorming here

what sort of contacts do you need, and what type of business are you in?

[wake.up.america]

16. travel business in austria and germany.

[The Straight Story]

14. Kicking for a great idea!

[stellanoir]

11. I think this is a great idea but instead of just offering financial assistance,

how about offering services as well. I love to barter and I know others do as well.

I've always intuitively felt as though insurance is investing in fear of some horrendous occurance. Then when something happens I've seen far too may have to jump through 20 zillion hoops just to get part of what they feel they are owed.

The way this community has rallied repeatedly when someone hits the skids is astonishingly impressive and has given me restored faith in human kindness.

Just think, if this sort of thing had been set up previously, the Freepers couldn't have mucked around with Andy S's paypal account like they did and his surgery wouldn't have been delayed.

[wake.up.america]

13. Sounds crazy, but I can offer translations into German. I am looking for people who have business c