the_red_sheep

Interesting video, worth a watch -

http://www.upworthy.com/a-guy-hung-a...-worked?c=ufb1

Do you care enough to argue, but not enough to give?

kittycat1

OO I like your tag line red sheep- I think they should use that in their campaign.

Although I think his statements are not actually comparable. Saying fork the poor is an aggressive term and would imply that the guy is suggesting some form of genocide type scenario. Help the poor is very vague- what poor? I wouldn't give to someone with that sign as 'the poor' aren't exactly a registered charity. If he had marketed himself better he may have done a bit better.

Having said that I have stood for many hours outside supermarkets and in town centers collecting money and it is really pitiful how little people give especially if the charity is one lesser heard of. You'd be lucky to raise 20 quid in 4 hours. A bit more at Christmas or on a particularly cold day when people feel a bit guilty or sorry for you. It is also illegal to shake your money tin which I think is ridiculous. Although I would say that kind of charity fund raising has had its day- people would rather be sponsored to jump out a plane and raise the money on justgiving.com.

scot47

Increasingly, people will only give if it involves a "fashion statement" or something for them (eg a free sponsored trip to Peru) "What is in it for me ?" is the plea of today's Yoof. The concept of Oblation is alien to them.

The Dean

Correct.

[*awaits a plethora of posters ready to blame Thatcherism*]

Fossildog

Filmed in the UK where poverty does not exist except where self inflicted.

OriginalSunshine

wtf

are you trying to be sardonic, or is this said in all seriousness?

Fossildog

The UK has a well functioning safety net which prevents the absolute poverty that you can see in places like India or parts of Africa. Poverty in the UK is relative. Kids do not starve to death in the UK through lack of money. They don't have to work when they are 6 picking through rubbish looking for things to sell.

There is no true poverty in the UK.

The Dean

Also correct.

scrubbedexpat141

Bollocks. Such a narrow minded, blinkered view. Not that I expect anything less from such a bitter old man.

scot47

Scamp you are precisely the sort who will only give if it involves a free trip to Peru, paid for by the gullible. Enjoy your day in Do-Buy, the Consumerist Paradise !

Beakersful

Not a 100% effective safety net though. Perhaps 'justifiable losses' is an acceptable term to use in circumstances like this? http://www.theguardian.com/society/2...r-benefits-cut

Irishbeekeeper

OriginalSunshine

In that sense, no. At least the UK is more socialist than India or say Nigeria (with extremes of wealth, and space ambitions whilst still receiving "aid"), in that it does have a safety net. However, single mums with 2-3 kids living in a one room B&B with no breakfast as part of "emergency" council accommodation for years is a pretty piss poor safety net. But, yes, at least her kids aren't picking through rubbish; unlike, say the gypsy kids who are also in the UK.

Fossildog

That would just be a 'B' then?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2...highest-decade

6 weeks is the maximum meant for this although the article says this has been breached. Whilst unfortunate and uncomfortable I'm not sure it can be classed as poverty. The families are housed, provided money to feed themselves and have a system in place to ensure that they get moved to more suitable accommodation when possible. A far cry from the privations suffered in nations with true poverty.

Have you any links to examples of families living in B(&B) for years?

scrubbedexpat141

I'm exactly not. I've raised a fair chunk of money for charity over the years through nothing but hard work.

Your life must be so miserable. I've never seen you post anything remotely positive. If someone can get people to donate for them to jump out a plane or got to Peru(?) or something and it raises money for charity it's hardly the end of the world. Definitely not cause for you to brand all young people as selfish.