Food for thought
Kitty P
performing arts center in an incredible historical building (I have a
contract to write their grants). The tickets were $100 to get in (lots of
wine and food) and I probably wouldn't have gone if I wasn't invited as a
guest, and I had to wear evening clothes and heels which always make me a
little grumpy.
But what happened, is that people (mostly local conservatives) ended up
donating probably close to $100K to the operating expenses of the center
which is very nice and a good thing. But one of the items was dinner at a
friend of mine's house for two thousand dollars while the local food bank is
struggling to keep people fed right now (our unemployment rate is over 11%).
Art is important and this is the major local venue for concerts from
alternative to opera - but this morning I've been pondering just how
important when times are tough. Should cultural programs go on hold when
economic times mean more people need assistance?
Kitty
Hidden Draggin
> Should cultural programs go on hold when economic times mean more
> people need assistance?
There are always other needs that should be met. My family was
particularly touched by hospice services when my father was
dying. The arts speak to quality of life and people are free to choose
what they wish to support.
Whether it is voluntary or not, my tax money goes to welfare,
earned income tax credit, food stamps, and various other
programs. If someone wishes to give to the arts, why feel guilty?
--
Hidden Draggin - Gilbert Hansford
Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects!
http://twitter.com/hiddendraggin
http://hiddendraggin.posterous.com/
Kitty P
"Hidden Draggin" <an...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:hebvd1$h4a$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I'm especially fond of hospice too. They were there helping when friends and
family members just couldn't step up because of their grief. They are a
caregiver's lifeline and I don't know what I would have done without those
folks.
Guilt is usually a wasted self-induced illusion. I am more curious about the
concept of where money follows values when economic times are tough. I think
it's interesting that your mind went to guilt though. Do you think that's
why most people give to the poor?
Kitty
Hidden Draggin
I myself live in very humble circumstances and I don't
feel the least bit guilty. Sometimes, I am admittedly resentful.
I make good choices, I am careful about my life.
Many of the people who are looking for help make very
bad choices such as having kids at 15 or 16, the drug scene,
living about their means until it all crashes...sure, not all
people needing help have made bad choices, but you
know what I mean. So, in essence, I get to pay for those
bad choices.
Remember, I am in West Palm Beach near to where
conspicuous consumption is the norm. They constantly
hold events to raise money for charity...conspicuously
so that everybody knows who is doing what. They constantly
pose for pix for the society pages. Make no mistake, if there
is royalty in this country, they are on Palm Beach. I would
bet they don't feel the least bit guilty, they compete with
each other for social status.
Keynes
>Kitty P wrote:
>
>> Should cultural programs go on hold when economic times mean more
>> people need assistance?
>
>There are always other needs that should be met. My family was
>particularly touched by hospice services when my father was
>dying. The arts speak to quality of life and people are free to choose
>what they wish to support.
>
>Whether it is voluntary or not, my tax money goes to welfare,
>earned income tax credit, food stamps, and various other
>programs. If someone wishes to give to the arts, why feel guilty?
Guess what percentage of your taxes go to the poor.
Kitty P
Considering where you live, your views make a lot of sense.
I guess when I look at people who need public assistance it reminds me that
I have had incredible luck because of the race I was born into (and not
facing prejudice), enough smarts to get by, and health. With those I didn't
need to have a family with money and the opportunities were limitless for me
in our culture. I guess I feel an obligation to help other people - not out
of guilt, but out of knowing that if I hadn't had those lucky breaks, they
would be me.
Kitty
Wally Chapman
I donate to our local coats for kids drive every year. I usually go to
dollar store and buy a couple of warm jackets in the 3 to 6 year old
range. I don't do it out of guilt - I do it because I remember my
father telling me about not having a coat when he was a kid, and how it
made him feel. My dad was orphaned at age five, and was raised by his
aunt, and they were beyond poor.
I guess you could say that I give because I used to be poor. I was
homeless for awhile, and I tend to donate time and money to other
homeless vets.
I think that cultural programs are important in their own right. Where
would we be without cultural events like monster truck races and roller
derby, not to mention cornhole tournaments and alligator wrestling?
We'd be a poorer nation if nobody held a tractor pull because times were
bad.
Wally
Kitty P
"Wally Chapman" <shel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:YpydnRtGVrpQeZTW...@bright.net...
Damn straight. A tractor pull is on my bucket list.
Love
Just make sure the cultural centre employs some people:
trickle-down accomplished and conscience cleared.
--
Love, Moral Mechanic
May Shai-Hulud clear the path before you.