Reply #7: a problem I have also

[amazona]

There's also no overlooking the fact that with my massive income in the high four figures that I'm technically one of the poor myself.

I used to do a lot more but I'm starting to feel anything I give is just putting more $$$ into the pockets of the extremely wealthy with their tax cuts. They point to private help and then claim that tax dollars were never needed in the first place.

And another issue -- can I be sure the person demanding money truly needs my help? When I went to the hospital the other day, they had a jar up for one of the nurses, asking for money for her medical expenses. This nurse probably makes around $50K a year -- around 5 times my income. Why is she asking for money? Shouldn't she have coverage from the hospital? I am finding more, and more, and maybe just in my area, that the people most bold about asking for a hand-out are those who are not in need. It is very difficult to be certain that my efforts are worthwhile. The actual needy may not be so attractive and personable, and nobody is going to put out jars to collect money for someone who smells bad, so the true needy fade into the forgotten background.

Very conflicted here indeed. Very much so.