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Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 12:13pmSanction this postReply
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Since reading that ARI article about how the US (taxpayers) should not help Tsunami victims, it seems that I have been noticing this type of forced altruism and how pervasive it really is. I'll admit I was a bit disturbed by the article myself because it seemed rather harsh at the time. Now I get it.

Anyway, the other day I went to see a chiropractor for a backache. Instead of charging me for the office visit and x-rays, I was told to make out a check to the Make a Wish foundation.  I know that was supposed to make me feel good, but it pissed me off. I would have preferred to make the check out to the doctor and have them contribute it if they felt so inclined.

This type of thing, along with the beg-a-thons for the United Way in the office, really rub me the wrong way. I know their intentions are good, but I am morally offended by their tactics.  Yesterday, I was watching Futurama. It was the episode where they become superheros and they are in a museum. They had Teddy Roosevelt's head with a sign reading "No admittance without $5.00 suggested donation."  to those who are guilty of trying to lay guilt trips on people through forced altruism, I say..... kiss my shiny metal ass.




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Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 5:57pmSanction this postReply
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I like the episode when Bender sold his bottom to the robot Devil and when he was about to say that, he was horrified that he couldn't

Anyway, if that is what the doctor wanted then thats his decision. As long as you're not being forced to 'contribute' then I don't see any harm.

Personally chiropractors are my favorite doctors, there is only one thing better then getting a kink popped out and for me at least, thats free.



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Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 6:28amSanction this postReply
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The problem of charity is not rationally analyzed and solved.  So, at best, we have semi-solutions that at least recommend that it be completely voluntary. 

 In the case of Katdaddy and the Chiropracter, the payment to Make-a-Wish was not clear upfront, so it felt forced. 

On the other hand, I have been to some Dr. Smith or Dr. Jones and made the check out to Hometown Medical Partners or whatever, so in the widest context, it does not matter whose name the doctor's receptionist asks you to put on the check. 

(If they ran a credit or debit card, you might not be aware of the name at all. Similarly, if you offered cash, they would not have told you to take it down to the street to this or that place for them.)

I agree that, basically, distributions to lines, journals, and ledgers are not the client's problem.

Just before the non-Orthodox Christian Calendar holidays near Soltice, the topic of Seinfeld's "Festivus" was posted with a link to the script.  As another thread in that story, George is angry in getting as a "gift" a card saying that a contribution was made in his name to some charity or other.  George then gets the idea to create a phony "Human Foundation" to which he "donates" gifts in the names of other people.  When he gets a real $10,000 donation, it all comes apart.  However, the point was well made -- and well taken.




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Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 6:05amSanction this postReply
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Hope you all had a nice Festivus.  Do you guys really do the pole and grievance thing?  I still do the x-mas tree with a few modifications. Instead of an angel or star, I have a Monopoly man on top.
Anyway, about the contribution, my point was that if the doctors want to contribute, it doesn't mean I want to contribute too.  Its their cause, not mine. My other point is that charitable contributions should be voluntary and no one should tell you where to donate your money or time.  I don't believe that it is in my rational self-interest to give to their charity.  Not that Make a Wish is a bad cause, it isn't.  I just don't like being told that I have to give and being given only one option. If they told me that instead of paying for the office visit that I could give the money to a charity of my choosing, I'd have no problem.  At least this was a cause I respect, it helps humans. If they told me to give money to say, Greenpeace or some other wacked out cause..... don't make me go there.




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