Street Assault

The concept of Dialogue Direct, and other similar canvassing organizations, as well as those organizations that canvass for themselves, is an effective way to raise money by guilting people to give. It really does create huge donations for the non-profits invovled, but I think privitization and out sourcing of this task, is based solely on greed, and nets these groups, a lot of money in fees. Money that could be better spent if the organizations did their own fundraising. In any case, the canvassars themselves have a cash incentive to keep getting pledges, or primarily, recurring donations, as well as needing to reach certain quotas in order to keep their jobs. So, of course they are fiercly on the hunt for people. Like vultures. That is how the model is based.

However, I for one, will not agree to carry the burden of the world on my shoulders, by being guilted into giving money. I will only give money; to anyone, which includes homeless people and others who ask me, or better yet- those who don't but need; when I feel generous, which means I have to feel wealthy, not poor and chipped away at by the nickel and diming that is going on in my life right now. I did not cause the meltdown of the nuclear power plant in Japan, it is not my fault that the children of Darfur are suffering, or etc... I'm not saying we don't all carry some responsibility to help our fellow humanity- I think that we do, at different levels. And I'm not saying the working poor, like myself, should be exempt from giving, so long as we give from our hearts when we are ready. But I do believe the model of putting commoners on the spot for immediate charity, is a means of taking the onus from those politicians and business people who are responsible for the inequality of the world, and giving it back to the general population, who are suffering their own problems.

So, sorry canvassars, if I just walk on by. It's nothing personal, just business. Just like that fat check you manage to jive your way into every pay period. I defend my right to be an asshole, and help others in my own way- which, I believe- is by doing one's individual and particular work within the creative realm, or whatever your gift is to society. Being true to that. If you paint murals for peace, for example, with troubled teens, and get them invovled, you are doing your part and don't need to give financially. The people who need to give financially are those who are completely useless otherwise. I don't think Donald Trump will be planting trees any time soon, unless his PR crew says he needs to do his good turn for the decade.

Next time you're walking along, and are asked to solve the problems of the world, maybe just keep on walking. Save yourself the intense emotion of pursuuing a fool's errand.