mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

So I get to a stop light to major intersection; I'm about the fourth car back. At the light there is a person with a sign saying: "unemployed, please help, God bless". The light took about 2min to turn green. The guy in front of me had plenty of time to make his offering. Yet, when the light turned green, the guy in front of me rolled up to the front of the line before the empty intersection and stopped. Then he preceded to collect his change and hand it to this person with the sign. He finished his business, then moved through the intersection on a now yellow light. I stopped again at the next red.

Okay, what's a few extra minutes you say... the guy in front of me was doing a kind deed for those less fortunate. I guess I have a problem with this because I became irritated. I'm generally a very calm driver. I don't get angry much at all. My golden rule is to avoid road rage at all costs. In the end, it's just not worth it. There are way too many other things in life worth stressing over.

With all the organizations out there who need our time and generous donations, why hand money to a person on the street holding a sign? The only reason I can come up with is that it provides the giver peace of mind. Yet to me, peace of mind comes in the form of knowing where my money is going. Don't we have a moral obligation to be responsible with our good fortune? Frankly, I find it downright selfish to give without making some effort into where your offerings will go. Am I wrong in this thinking?

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

Your upset because someone choose to give their hard earned money (assuming the person wasn't a trust fund baby, lol) to someone in need but they didn't give in a way you deem worthy?

I'm sorry it's selfish of you to put restrictions on how others give and share their wealth.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Actually, I was upset because I missed the light. If the guy in front of me had shared his wealth when we were stopped, me and the others behind me would have made the light.

However, you're right. I have no right to judge how others give, but like smoking... am I obligated to breathe second hand smoke if I'm in public?

Thanks for your reply.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Actually I agree, my disabled son is on benefits, and just working hard to start his own small business, he has NEVER begged, whilst not everyone gets the breaks there are genuine charities to give to where you KNOW where the money is going.

WAS he unemployed, or does he earn more tax free this way.
Ban ALL smokers from public places.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Yes, you are wrong. You are not only selfish, but uncaring as well. You had to sit for another cycle of the traffic light. How long was that? Three or four minutes? Poor baby. Was what you were on your way to do more important than giving someone in need a helping hand?

On any given night 300,000 Veterans either sleep on the street or in shelters.
25% of all homeless are Veterans.
1/3 of all homeless men are Veterans.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Oh god here we go again.

Brendan Loc: Cornwall

lol....freedom of choice,we all have our opinions and we have to do what works for us as individuals ,me personally i'll help anybody who deserves it....

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

The main words being

i'll help anybody who deserves it....

So will I, but not someone I see begging who could have more than me, unknown, which is why I give to known sources.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Who's being judgmental now? I am perfectly willing to accept that I may be wrong, but who are you to tell me I'm uncaring and selfish? You don't even know me... You are going to judge me based on 3 minutes of my life huh? I was not going anywhere important, but I can't speak for the others behind me. I suppose it's my fault that there is a homeless problem in this country too? I think you really need to redirect your emotion and frustration toward the system that put these Vets on the street in the first place.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Some people jump to conclusions, usually, no most of the time wrong

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

If you don't want people to tell you what they think, don't ask them to tell you.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Wew have many people who spout about the homeless, people on the streets, but when asked what the actually DO themselves the answer is, well if I had time, or I give a donation, yeah, a dollar a year....

Most people wh DO, do things and help don't talk or boast about it.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

mdorn

Your mistake was saying too much, ie the second and third paragraph.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

I didn't ask anyone to judge me. I ask if I was wrong in my thinking. You could have stopped after your first sentence as the answer to my question. Yet, you have every right to voice whatever frustration you have. However, personally attacking others is a fallacy that doesn't help your cause. Thanks for your reply though.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I don't mind giving someone a hand up, but not a handout...