Does Donating to Charities Make You Think Twice?

Giving to charities over the years, I'd like to think my contributions went to good use. This is the whole point of giving; to lend a helping hand to those in need. 

It came to my attention that the charity 'March of Dimes', a non-profit organization that helps to prevent birth defects and infant mortality, was caught in a theft scandal wherein top company officials took donated funds and used it leisurely. Hearing this news amplified my suspicions of certain charities. 

Did you hear about the fifty billion dollar ponzi scheme ran by New York broker, Bernard Madoff? 

Allegedly, wealthy individuals invested their funds (some of them their whole life savings) into foundations and charities entrusted into the hands of Mr. Madoff, and as a result many charities fell victim to the robbery. 

A few of Madoffs' victims were: The Wiesel Foundation and L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, and French investor Thierry de la Villehuchet who committed suicide after learning he lost $1.4 billion dollars in Madoff's scandal.

Although Mr. Madoff was convicted of fraud fortunately for him he happened to have ten million dollars available to bail himself out of jail, and is being confined to his seven million dollar home until his trial. 

Will Madoff be acquitted of all charges just like the investors in the Enron scandal? Let's not forget that two-thirds of the senate and 40 percent of the House benefited from Enron money, some of which is now being returned by embarrassed lawmakers from both parties.

So again, how can we trust that our donations to charities will be used in the proper way when corrupt officials hide behind the organizations? 

Maybe there should be a federal stamp of approval once a year, that charitable organizations have been regulated and audited?

The presidential election of Barack Obama has woken up sleeping giants and forced people to pay attention to politics, and even closer attention to how taxpayer dollars are being spent. The political arena will never be the same again. 

The Things That Make you Go Hmmmmm...

2008 LA

Does Atlanta's Unpaid Water Bills Show Favoritism?

When everyone is told to conserve water does it only pertain to a certain group of people? 

In local Georgia news, talks of unpaid water bills as well as the importance of water conservation has Georgia residents on edge due to Lake Lanier, being at its lowest water levels in the past two years. As a result of the latest drought, residents are often told to take heed to the consumption of large amounts of H2O. Southerners began to watch their water levels and as a result, the company's revenue drastically decreased which prompted them to raise water usage rates. 

The rate increase troubled most civilians because they were told that it'd be best to to conserve, and after finding out that high rise condos and corporate buildings in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, have outstanding unpaid water bills with some amounting to $1.5 million; it definitely left a bad taste in people's mouths.

The mayor of Atlanta commented that "The bills would be paid as soon as possible." 

Fortunately for these corporations they weren't subjected to having their service cut-off even though they owe ridiculous amounts of money. Furthermore, Atlanta's two biggest homeless shelters are now claiming to have unpaid water bills as well, but unlike the high rise condos and corporate offices these homeless shelter's were cut-off from the water supply. 

Morris Brown, a historically Black college in Atlanta will soon close their doors due too an unpaid water bill which cut-off their water supply -- leaving a non-functioning establishment.

Why is it okay for schools to close down but not corporations? Especially when their bills far exceed any amount owed by any one individual and/or homeless shelter?

This is corruption in one of the worst ways; this matter should be investigated immediately.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2008 LA

Is the Welfare System Designed to Keep You Poor?

Reading and processing the book 'The Audacity of Hope' written by President-elect Obama, and understanding what his plans are for the country and for single mothers in particular; it caused me to take a serious look at America's welfare system. 

Growing up, all I knew about welfare was that it came with some sort of secret code language and shame if one were ever seen in public using it. As a child I'd hear both kids and adults, speak badly about those that needed government assistance. 

In grocery stores when I'd see people paying with food stamps which looked like foreign paper bills, it was pulled out discreetly so that others standing in line couldn't see. But in retrospect, acting secretive about something only makes people focus in on what one is doing. And it was because of these secretive actions that made me think being on welfare was a horrible thing.

Becoming older and wiser helped me to comprehend that the welfare system was designed to help those in need until assistance is no longer needed; specifically for single mothers. And speaking one-on-one with single mothers about their living conditions, what I discovered was that the dollar amount of what they individually received wasn't enough to feed their children. 

Five hundred and sixty dollars a month for one mother with 3 children; five dollars per day, per kid. It was appalling to hear these stories because what child can survive off of five dollars a day? What kind of nutritious foods can one afford with five dollars?

There's a rule that men aren't allowed to reside within the home while the female is on public assistance, and if the woman is caught with a man in the home the checks stop coming. Welfare authorities even make random calls to the residence just to see if a male is present. 

Maybe the welfare agency should revamp its programs and assist people with out-of-poverty knowledge as well as funds, because living paycheck to paycheck never solves a money problem and in fact one will almost be guaranteed to fall short somewhere. 

Can you imagine how tough it must be for a parent to look their child in the eyes, while telling them that there isn't any food in the house until the end of the month?

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2008 LA

What Can You Say About Your Life Experiences?

Have you ever had an epiphany that made you see things so much more clearer?

It would seem that the more knowledge one acquires, the  more self-awareness one receives. You finally understand where you came from, and have a better direction of where you're going. 

When you get going you'll encounter indifference's in the world, which in turn can cause you to question, think deeply, while searching for solutions. Finding solutions can turn into your life's work ultimately propelling you into the catastrophic waves of good verses evil.

Through this profound and enlightening discovery your eyes are widened, your thirst for knowledge intensifies, therefore stretching you into new heights and plateaus that some will mock due to ignorance. 

Then faith steps in -- continuously elevating you to new and amazing horizons, allowing you to excel regardless of the mockeries.

You become stronger, wiser, and will even still educate and love those who in the beginning doubted you.

Just thoughts from my life experiences.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

©2008 LA