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.
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.
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
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