I normally eat noodles/fruit for lunch, but I had to run errands today and

[closeupready]

I ended up heading towards the McDonald's.

On my way in, a woman was perched out front, sitting down - she could have been waiting for a bus or who knows, but as I walked by, I saw she was actually asking me a question; I said, "excuse me?" "...something to eat?" and I just waved and went inside. It then hit me that she didn't ask for money, she asked for something to EAT. Wow. I bought two double cheeseburgers, had them put them in separate bags, put a banana in hers with napkins and some ketchup, handed it to her, smiled and said, "Enjoy!"

She was thrilled, and nearly broke down. :(

I don't like to make spectacles of people who are down-on-their-luck or needy, so I just walked away, but I got a little misty-eyed thinking how unfair it is that anyone goes hungry and yet, we need to honor sanctity of contracts and give CEO's taxpayer subsidized bonuses in the multiple millions of dollars.

Where are our priorities! :mad:

[WCGreen]

1. well for the last 30 years or so we have worship greed and ostentatious wealth...

And we have relegated those among us who are left by the wayside as having some kind of contagious disease.

[leftstreet]

40. +1

[dotymed]

48. Similarly

I have noticed more people roadside with signs that offer work for food.... where is FDR when we need him?

[xxqqqzme]

56. There was a young man folding such a sign

standing on the left turn median the other day. I noticed him as I got off @ my bus stop. There are 6 fast food places w/i half a block of that intersection. I went in the closest one, bought a gift card and crossed the street to give it to him. People should not be going hungry in this country.

[JHB]

74. FDR is still with us in the advice that he gave: "Go out there and MAKE me do it"

He understood that political activism doesn't (and shouldn't) stop just because you won an election, and that pressing to get things done is not to be derided as "purity" or "pony-wishing".

[KansDem]

80. Haven't you heard? "Greed is good."

Wall Street (1987)

[skeptical cynic]

2. The people who control the money decide the priorities

And the priorities are the people who control the money.

Poverty and unemployment keep wages low and profits high.

[county worker]

3. Remember the days of "Random Acts of Kindness" ? We still need that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Indeed we do, and more than ever!

[emilyg]

42. Every day.

[Greyhound]

4. K&R. 30 years ago we took a hard right turn to stupid and haven't looked back.

[MineralMan]

5. Thanks for doing that. We should all be doing that whenever we

can. I don't go to McDonalds or other fast food places, so I make a monthly donation to a local center that feeds homeless people. It's the least I can do. It's not enough, but it's something.

[bobbolink]

6. Take it from one who knows..... any small act of kindness often brings on tears!

While I (and Sapphire Blue before me) keep repeating that we need JUSTICE, not charity, these person-to-person exchanges are also important. Highly recommended!

It is humiliating to her to be out there like that, and EVERYONE deserves to have a home and eat well in the richest country in the world.

This is SHAMEFUL of us to allow this!

[closeupready]

9. I know - I could sense her shame, and that

also is unfair - she may be in these circumstances due to factors outside her control altogether.

And even if she did contribute to her predicament, so what - nobody in the richest country on Earth should ever go hungry, IMO, no matter what.

[bobbolink]

11. "Contribute"? Strange you should bring that up. Its important to remember that EVERYONE makes

mistakes.

The point is, the margin of error for poor people is a lot less than for affluent people.

[closeupready]

12. Yes, of course. Thanks for pointing that out.

:hi:

[Still Blue in PDX]

16. Amazingly profound and something so often overlooked.

Thank you for pointing that out.

:yourock:

[bobbolink]

17. thank you very much for understanding (what should be obvious)

We poor folk are always confronted with how we "contributed" to our misfortune, yet what we see is that those who consider themselves above us do exactly the same things (or much worse!), but never have a consequence, because they have the money to cover their tracks.

It is part of the blaming mechanism of this society, and it is time for it to be exposed for what it is.

What I have found is that people want to find what is "different" between "us and them", so that they can then feel safe that what befell us won't befall them.

[Stephanie]

30. +1

Your perspective is very illuminating.

[bobbolink]

32. Thank you, Stephanie. It comes from the deep pain of experience and I wish it would be heard more.

If more people were willing to hear those of us who LIVE this stuff, rather than taking the word of the "experts", not only would there be more understanding, but I believe the whole situation would change.

Otherwise, its wait until the preponderance of the population experience this horrendous stuff!

[dotymed]

49. Hi Bobbie

We are getting much closer to that time than many will admit. The wealth distribution in America is one of the worst globally and getting worse daily. That is not ever mentioned as a problem that must be fixed....

[Capitalocracy]

35. And of course, that sense of security is false.

It could happen to anyone, more so now than ever. That's what happens when the public safety net is dismantled... more and more people fall through.

BP STANDS FOR BALLOT POISON

Pledge not to vote for any candidates receiving campaign donations from BP in 2010.

Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/bp2010/petition.html



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[maryf]

44. yes what is different

is far too often what people look for...we really need to find our similarities and remember
that its the system that causes poverty, not the individual...

[dotymed]

51. So true

Sad but very true. The system is also designed to kill off the impoverished ASAP. No health care unless you have big bucks or good insurance. How can peoples lives mean less than profits?

[bobbolink]

89. From your keyboard to God's monitor!

We also need to be aware of and respect our differences.

But what we do in this society is to BLAME, using those differences!

[HillbillyBob]

73. Most people have no clue as to how fast and how far

one can fall even if you do everything right, like save what little $ you can, but most of us in the lower income levels have nothing left between paychecks so the yammer about save 10% is insulting that 10% makes the difference in keeping lights on or food in the house.
Most of us from 10g to 90g income do not realize how fast the savings can go for an illness or lay off from work or other disaster like having to move because of some screw up on the landlords part (like him selling the house or apt and finding that the new owner is not renewing leases)or storm damage, that happened to me. We were fortunate at the time that a friend wanted to break his lease to get married and move so we were able to take over his apt w/o him losing his deposit and we had a place to be after hurricane Andrew.

[bobbolink]

90. Saving 10%....all the "advice", all the assumptions are just blame.

I will tell you that part of the problem is that poor people do NOT get together and talk together about these things, and get organized to fight all of this blaming and guilt.

How many times, right here on DU, do we poor people find ourselves alone with the verbal assaults because we don't have a tight organization of poor folk, right here?

In some ways, we allow it.

[dotymed]

95. I agree Bobbie

We are probably the most silent minority(?) in existence. There needs to be a way to organize successfully. If we, impoverished people, are a minority, then I would be surprised. Unfortunately, our ranks are swelling daily, while the few wealthy people keep fattening their bank accounts. We must have a truly progressive income tax like America has always had during times of prosperity. It is what increases prosperity to average people. That, coupled with common sense business and government incentives to prevent and reverse off-shoring. It is not rocket science. The wealthy just want to obfuscate the obvious while they divide and conquer the common man/woman. People before profits is just common sense. with as many people affected economically, it is mind boggling that we have not organized and demanded these rights.

[bobbolink]

101. "it is mind boggling that we have not organized and demanded these rights."

I completely agree, and I guess part of the reason is that we lack a great leader.

However, that doesn't let us off the hook.

I'm trying to figure out a way to "enlighten" other poor folk about the reality of poverty... the true reason we are kept down.

I think we all feel so overwhelmed, alone and shamed that it is very hard to break through those walls.

Any ideas?

(Something short of TNT?)

[dotymed]

96. I agree Bobbie

We are probably the most silent minority(?) in existence. There needs to be a way to organize successfully. If we, impoverished people, are a minority, then I would be surprised. Unfortunately, our ranks are swelling daily, while the few wealthy people keep fattening their bank accounts. We must have a truly progressive income tax like America has always had during times of prosperity. It is what increases prosperity to average people. That, coupled with common sense business and government incentives to prevent and reverse off-shoring. It is not rocket science. The wealthy just want to obfuscate the obvious while they divide and conquer the common man/woman. People before profits is just common sense. with as many people affected economically, it is mind boggling that we have not organized and demanded these rights.

[glitch]

76. Excellent post.

There but for sheer dumb random luck go us all.

[bobbolink]

93. "There but for sheer dumb random luck go us all. " That should be a bumpersticker!

Its interesting that we no longer hear the formerly common phrase, "There but for the grace of God go I".

As this nation became more middleclass and more professional, people took more and more credit for their good fortune, and forgot that there is always an element of luck involved.

Hence, the rise in blaming poor folk.

[progressiveinaction]

87. Bobbolink

Has anyone from DU ever offered you a place to stay? I would think you get some offers from a forum with compassionate progressives, this isn't freepville after all.

I applaud your relentless passion for this topic.

[Quantess]

99. I have never offered Bobbolink a place to stay, just FYI.

Edit to add: I live on the west coast, and I think she lives on the east coast. So, no.

[Posteritatis]

21. I want to be able to rec comments. (nt)

[bobbolink]

22. Why, thank you for such a kind comment!

Much appreciated! :hi:

[Stephanie]

29. Me too

Other sites have it. I guess our +1 works for now.

[happy_liberal]

84. "the margin of error for poor people is a lot less than for affluent people"

Whoa- another really good quote!

We need to get you published...

[bobbolink]

91. Thank you so much for the kind words!

As you know, I get attacked a lot here, and their meme is I only think of myself. Your kind words mean more to me than you know!

:yourock:

[bobbolink]

23. Yes, the shame is so hard to overcome.... even though it is so grossly misplaced.

If you can think of a good way to reduce some of that shame..... it would be every bit as important as the meal you are providing her.

The shame is debilitating, and prevents the types of growth and actions we want (or say we want) to see from people who are in such a predicament.

:yourock:

[mod mom]

10. +1!

[happy_liberal]

82. well said!

Anyone who is interested in writing stories about the homeless and poverty issues can become an author at http://www.examiner.com/Become_an_Examiner.html and be promoted on google.

I began the process to do this but you have to submit a 200-300 article as an example so I will begin working on that.

If several of us do this, we could help raise awareness on these issues and help give this topic the importance and it deserves. We can brainstorm and hopefully solutions will follow.

[bobbolink]

92. Thank you for suggesting one possible avenue.

We need to think of all kinds of ways to make this issue a part of the national discourse!

[LynneSin]

8. I would rather give food to help folks out than money

Too many times, at least in my neighborhood, people just want the money for drugs. But if someone needs food I'd be happy to go buy them something to eat. Heck one time a guy outside of Dunkin Donuts wanted some coffee and I bought him a big cup of coffee along with a bagel.

It's not that I don't want to help people, I just want to help them with something they can use.

[Xithras]

28. I never give money when asked. I always give food when asked. ALWAYS.

I find it unconscionable that any human with disposable income could walk past a hungry human being and not help. I won't give money because I know all too well that money is often used to buy booze and drugs, but I will not walk past another hungry human being and ignore his hunger while I sip my Starbucks. If I have the money for a latte, I have the money to help the starving.

I also gave about $500 to my local Food Not Bombs group last year for the same reason. Many FNB chapters won't take cash, but will happily take food donations. They've also taken about 75% of the fruit from the trees in my yard these last two years. If anyone really cares about feeding the hungry, they're one of the best groups to support at the moment.

[closeupready]

33. That is actually very useful to know

Because if I were to encounter her again or someone else in that situation, I could buy food and then say, "you know, there is a place where you can get a hot meal for free..." Thanks. :)

[dotymed]

52. Sadly

most of those people are "self-medicating", trying to escape the reality of their dire situation. I am not saying it helps, only that it is reality.

[wolfgangmo]

63. Most of "those people"?

Holy crap. You must get around to have met enough of "those people" to know that most of them are self-medicating.

[Ignis]

79. +1 for Food Not Bombs.

:yourock:

[maryf]

45. sometimes they do need money for bills...

asking might help...

[Bluenorthwest]

50. A story for those who want to retain control of their 'gift'

Years ago, a friend and I stopped at a convenience store near our building, next door was a doughnut shop which had a breakfast/lunch menu beyond the doughnuts. As we got out of the car, a woman asked me for money, she said she was hungry. So I gave her a few bucks.
Once in the store, my friend began to lecture me on 'what I should have done'. I should have bought food in the store for her, because she was just going to take my money to buy drugs or drink. First I told him I do not care, because giving is giving, I gave her not money, but the tiny amount of power and autonomy I had to spare. $5 worth, maybe 3. Having given it, it was now her choice, and not mine at all, otherwise, not a gift at all.
I also pointed out that it really does not matter if I give a junkie a sandwich, allowing them to use their food bucks for drugs, or money, which goes to the need they see as most urgent. Which could be medicine, or drugs...formula, diapers, what do I know? I was called naive, overly blessed, and a few other things on the way out the door.
When we got to the parking lot with our stuff-there was the woman who asked for money. She was standing in front of the doughnut diner, reading from their menu, counting the money in her hands, looking again, counting again. She had been deciding what to eat, her best use of the money, the entire time we had been in the store. I do not remember what we bought, how much we spent, if I paid by cash or credit card, not a thing. But I remember her nodding to herself, clutching that money, and walking in the doughnut shop door to order. I could see that she held up her money as she walked in the door, those few dollars were her warrant to enter, to sit. To fucking eat.
Lots of people here on DU shout about their 'faith' which is expressed by using certain phrases and disliking certain people, but my Mother is a person of actual faith, and I personally live by her faith, which taught me that the woman I helped, no matter her earthly circumstance, was the Christ himself come to me for comfort. That is the faith, there is nothing more to it.
And now, just to be honest about it, to me, that doughnut shop event was a blessing, not to the woman who ate as much as it was a blessing to me. The chance to help is worth much more than what I paid for it. The mitzvah was mine. It was I who benefited most from that exchange. Period.

[athena]

60. Thank you for posting that!

You make a very logical and reasonable argument. I agree with you.

[wolfgangmo]

64. This needs to be an OP. Everyone on the DU needs to read this comment.

Best story I have read on the DU this year, bar none.

Thanks for posting it and for the reminder to transcend both our baser impulses and the RW meme machine noise that filters into everyones lives and comes out as some kind of judgement against another human.

I must need orthotic shoes because I stand humbled.

[FailureToCommunicate]

69. Now we have benefitted from your kind act as well. Thanks, BlueNW.

[glitch]

77. You are blessed with the best of mothers.

So am I (although mine has passed, a mere technicality), we don't all get them. We're very lucky.

[happy_liberal]

85. the woman I helped, no matter her earthly circumstance,was the Christ himself come to me for comfort

that was beautifl
:cry:

[William Z. Foster]

94. excellent

That is an excellent post. Thank you.

"...giving is giving, I gave her not money, but the tiny amount of power and autonomy I had to spare."

That is such an important point and one that we so rarely see anyone express. The inequality and injustice in this society is not about stuff, it is about control, it is about power. Our political stands on poverty are not about fighting for stuff, we fight for freedom, for justice and for equality - for dignity and autonomy for all people. Along those lines, notice how so many people here cannot talk about the Gulf catastrophe without talking about money, as though throwing money at people is the solution when their lives have been wrecked beyond repair.

"Having given it, it was now her choice, and not mine at all, otherwise, not a gift at all."

People who give, and then qualify that, who try to control the recipient, are not really giving at all. They are controlling, they are doing it to satisfy their own needs, and controlling others and placing one's own needs above others is the cause of the injustice and inequality and can never be part of the solution.

The wealth and income inequality in the culture is a symptom of something larger. Human beings are social animals. Control over wealth is for the purpose of controlling others, and is sought by those who do not know how to be social in any other way, for those who cannot or will not interact with others as equals. This then permeates the culture, and we are all forced to accommodate it. "Winning" means controlling others. Those who have access to wealth can control others, those desiring to control others try to amass wealth. People copy and imitate the winners right down to every level of interaction, including trying to control some impoverished and hungry person with a few dollars, as though they were the CEO of BP controlling the destiny of millions with a few billion dollars. Money leads to controlling others which leads to more money which leads to more control over others. That is what causes the wealth and income inequality.

Saying "they will use it for drugs so I give them food" is about control, and it is about the giver, not the recipient. Many liberals and progressives are willing to express compassion for "the poor," are willing to give charity, providing that they do not give up any control, moreover is long as the subject of control is ignored, so long as we do not challenge the ways in which people are controlling other people.

Are wealthy people evil? No, it is controlling others that is evil, and in this system the two are inseparable because money is the way to control others.

[leveymg]

13. That's a daily occurrence at some of the McDonald's and BKs in DC.

I don't eat there very often, but when I did there was always someone outside, and I routinely bought that person lunch. Don't forget extra napkins and dry wipes - they're also important to people who may not have a home with a shower to wash up in.

[bobbolink]

14. Thank you for remembering about the lack of a shower!

As for the napkins..... way too many places won't even allow a person to use the restroom! The simple, and human act of washing your hands becomes a trial.

JUSTICE!

[Hydra]

15. I'm glad your priorities are better than most people's

And you make a good point about judging people in that position. I agree with you, and will actually go further.

If we aren't holding the rich people in our country to any standards, why should we do so with the poor?

[BadGimp]

18. Good On You!

eom

[devilgrrl]

19. I bought a guy a meal once...

he was hungry. :shrug:

[closeupready]

20. Thing of it is, there must have been dozens of people who passed by her before

I did - for one reason or another, I guess nobody else bought her food.

If you've ever been hungry and didn't know where your next meal was going to come from, then you have an idea of the kind of mental state she must have been in. It was just a double cheeseburger and a banana, but it's food and she was hungry!

But I didn't post this to pat myself on the back, I was making an observation that, while in the past when the economy was good, people would ask for money. Now that times are REALLY bad, people are asking for food. That's a bad indicator, IMO.

[devilgrrl]

24. and I think what you did was a nice thing.

:hug:

[jotsy]

25. Disregard breeds contempt

and must be discouraged not rewarded.

BTW:yourock:

[femrap]

26. Goddess that's sad. nt

[RamboLiberal]

27. I just want to say kudos to you

Reminded me of what a very good Sister of Mercy taught us back in the late 60's. She went on to start a homeless shelter in my hometown.

[Minimus]

31. That is a great thing you did.

When I worked in a downtown area there were several "panhandlers" near my office building. I would always offer to buy them a meal and many would follow me to the nearest eatery. I never would just hand out money and I quickly learned the ones that were not interested in a meal and only wanted cash for drugs or booze.

It is very sad to know there are people that are going hungry in your own community.

[defendandprotect]

34. Nowhere . . . When did I ever hear Obama talk about the homeless or hungry?

Never --

I understand one of his radio addresses mentioned homeless -- not enough, by any means!!

We need a liberal/progressive Democratic presidential candidate in 2012 --

How about Bobby Kennedy, Jr?

[brewens]

36. There were a couple of veterans doing a food drive for our

local veterans home outside Safeway a couple weeks ago. They were asking for donations and had a list of stuff they could use.
I rely on people donating blood to earn my living so it's hard to pass that kind of thing up. I went in and got them a couple of the more expensive items I thought they might have trouble getting. No problem. I can easily afford it.
It is kind of sad that they have to do that though. We should be funding the veterans homes so that they eat well.

[flvegan]

37. May your action be an inspiration for others.

I cannot pass by someone in obvious need at an eating establishment. Mine have always been at grocery stores. I've been amazed time and again at the happiness that a jug of orange juice, a couple pieces of fruit and a prepackaged chicken salad or ham 'n cheese sandwich can bring to someone.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The vegan has bought unvegan stuff for folks. Shoot me.

[glitch]

78. Lol.

I work in a food shelter twice a month. I gladly give out meat, frozen chicken, factory eggs, canned spam and tuna. Most of the other stuff is starchy or canned. Rarely do we get fresh vegetables donated. It's a thrill when we do and can give it out. When we get someone who's a vegetarian we accommodate as best we can, to try to get them some protein. Beans, rice.

Do I feel weird giving out stuff I don't eat myself? No, these folks are hungry and need food. If I am ever that hungry I'll eat meat too.

It's now a luxury in this country to be able to choose what to eat. It should be a right.

[DesertFlower]

38. many years ago in new york city my husband

saw a man sitting on the sidewalk with his hand out. my husband tried to give him money, but the man wouldn't take it. he said he had fallen and needed help to getting up.

every morning when i got off the bus at 43 st. and avenue of the americas i would see people sitting on the street with their tin cans. i thought if every person who passed would give one nickel he could get a decent meal -- maybe eat for the whole day. i never saw anyone give even a penny.

[Quantess]

39. You eat noodles with fruit? Sounds gross.

Hopefully you meant noodles or fruit. :)

[closeupready]

46. lol, something light like ramen or nissin noodles, and an apple for dessert.

:D And sometimes I wrap up some sesame seeds and a diced scallion for seasoning to make it a little different-tasting than lunch from the day before. :D

[Beacool]

68. Man, you need some variety!!!

Take left overs, make a sandwich, buy a salad. The choices are infinite.

:P

[laughingliberal]

41. Too choked up to say more than K&R. nt

[mysticalchick]

43. You listened to a nudge ...

... and that is a most wonderful thing. I have had those experiences - I once came upon a woman standing in a median strip asking for money and she looked so beaten down and defeated, it broke my heart. I stopped at a store, got her a big bottle of water, got some cash and went to give it to her. Next thing I know, I'm standing in the median with her, just hugging her. She cried and cried and just sunk into my hug. Honestly, I think she needed that more than the money. If you told me that day that I would stand in the road, hugging a stranger with all I had, I'd have been shocked. Yet, there I was by the grace of God.

So, good on you. We need more of these kinds of actions because they heal that person (and you!) even if only a little bit.

Peace,
MC

[handmade34]

47. thank you!

...because I move every three weeks for work and am out in neighborhoods, both urban and rural throughout the U.S., I encounter many people needing help. I always buy food for someone that asks, and often without them asking. I try as much as possible to stay and talk with them a bit. I believe the human touch is as important as the food they need.

I also have a box of packaged food in my back seat for those times when I am driving through intersections. I am aware that there are a few scammers out there, but I take my chances and hopefully help many that truly need it; it is meager help but a little bit I can do.

I most remember a very haggard looking man that was outside a fast food place, in a small town somewhere in the midwest, and I offered to buy him a meal... took him inside and told him to order whatever he wanted. He was very shy and hesitant, but with encouragement finally ordered himself a couple of burgers and fries and drink. He would not sit with us but sat at a table nearby. We stayed until he finished his meal and left as there was a group of young punks in the restaurant that I am sure would have harrassed him had we not been there.

I am often ashamed to live in a country that allows vast numbers of homeless and desperate people to remain so.

[dotymed]

54. So similar

to what happened when the USSR collapsed. Unfortunately, it is still ongoing there too, I hear.

[bertman]

53. K & R. nt

[Mimosa]

55. Blessings for you. (Bananas have potassium too GOOD!) n/t

[1776Forever]

57. Recently on Ed Schultz radio show there are almost daily calls from people who are at rock bottom!

These are people who have worked all their lives and are loosing everything! I think we will see more of what we used to have in the late 40's where we had hobo's come around to the houses and ask for food. I remember my Grandmother always finding something to give them and believe me we were very poor but had a roof over our heads and something on the table. It is so very sad!:hug:

[AllyCat]

58. Thanks for doing this.

I've always bought sandwiches for people outside the market. Most take them. I won't give money but I will buy food and have given bus tickets to people.

Our society is seriously messed up right now.

[asdjrocky]

59. Whenever I give something to someone-

which is almost everyday in this poor depressed city I live in, I always ask their name, tell them my name, and shake their hand while looking them right in the eye. I don't have a lot of money, really hardly any, but I can usually manage a buck or some change or a cheeseburger, and it feels good to help, but it feels better, and more connective, to actually touch the person I'm trying to help.

I think people don't do that, I think people just give money or food and never really look at, talk to or even meet the person they are trying to help. Take the time to talk, know a name, you'd be surprised at the stories you'll here.

And by the way, you did a good thing, K&R!

[smoking357]

61. You're a Good Guy, Closeup

Nice story.

[NNN0LHI]

62. Just goes to show you should eat at McDonald's more often

I admire you for what you did.

Don

[wolfgangmo]

65. Please tell me that what you got out of the OP was eat at McD's more often.

Please tell me that wasn't what you took away from that post. McD's is part of the structural problem with the US.

[clarence swinney]

66. GREATER JOY

COMES FROM HELPING OTHERS

ADDRESSED IN MY "LIFEAHOLIC"-STORY OF WORKAHOLIC FAILURE TO LIFEAHOLIC SUCCESS

Jesus most used two words Love- -Poor

Priorities? I get upset over my church

Send bus load to Vermont from NC to help build a church.
Send group to China to preach

Yet! I drive by needy within blocks of our church.

so dumb so dumb

[Beacool]

67. Doesn't it break your heart?

The wealthiest nation on earth and many of our own people are going hungry. Unforgivable!!

You did a very nice thing. Kudos!!

:)

[FailureToCommunicate]

70. Thanks for the reminder that, though we all have a heart, we need to keep using it.

[liberal N proud]

71. Greed is more important than anyone enjoying a meal

The fat cats who receive those bonuses don't even consider that woman who you helped a person.

Greed will consume this nation if not the world.

[libmom74]

72. I work in an affluent area

and I always see homeless people by a Whole Foods store with signs asking for help (we at the hospital call Whole Foods Whole Paycheck), anyway if I have time before work I always try to stop and buy a prepared meal for the person in need, but I've noticed that most people who live and shop in the area who are affluent (unlike me, who commutes 35 miles in to work there)just ignore the homeless. It makes me wonder if being wealthy isn't almost a disease that infects the mind with greed and heartlessness ( I realize there are wealthy people who are generous and donate to help the poor and other causes, but they seem to be the exception, not the rule).

[Liberal_in_LA]

75. K&R

[jennied]

81. I love to hear when people do the right thing.... Good for you.

[immoderate]

83. You did good. But that's what the righties want you to do.

They'll point to you and say, "See -- individuals are charitable. Government assistance is not necessary."

--imm

[closeupready]

86. True. But I would reply,

government assistance is not necessary to ensure bank profits, yet, we somehow saw a great need to bail out banks and make sure their executives got their bonuses. On the other hand, hunger is a need that doesn't need to be devised or created - basically, if you are a form of life, you will get hungry for food and water.

I guess it boils down to where you want to direct your taxpayer resources - bombs, tanks, guns and weapons? Or food for hungry people and their children? It's not a mutually exclusive choice, but you are correct that righties make it seem like it is, or alternatively, that warfare is a better use of taxpayer money than feeding poor people.

[Berserker]

88. I have helped many

people in my life. But I have never posted about it. I feel that I do not need to tell others. My gratification is just doing it not getting a cyber pat on the back.
I have brought this up when people post on DU "want a star" click and tell me why or what ever bullshit they want to hear. The beauty of being a person who gives is to not advertise it. Sorry but being anonymous is the best way.

[ThatsMyBarack]

97. Good job!

:hi:

[Bluerthanblue]

98. thank you...

for sharing (in several ways.)

:hug:

[Crystal Clarity]

100. What a loser, that woman

:sarcasm:

This is pitiful. And yet the right wing greedy bastards are still not satisfied. Just think of the irony... They accuse us of wealth redistribution yet look how they've managed to do it in the past 30+ years. Steal from the once middle class (now poor) to give to the rich. :grr: