Give to the United Way??

foxnews | 10/9/01 | Bill O'Reilly

[pulaskibush]

Talking Points: Update on Money Situation for Terror Victims

Tuesday, October 09, 2001 By Bill O'Reilly

Email this Article The Talking Points memo this evening: It's an update of the money situation vis a vis the families of the terror victims. There's no question that Americans are the most generous people on earth, and that has been demonstrated once again.

One billion dollars have been pledged thus far to help families effected by the terror attacks. But the money is slow in getting to these families, and government supervision has been lax, to say the least. Up to this point, the United Way has received $87 million for its September 11th Fund. Only $5.9 million has been allocated so far.

And get this, the allocated money doesn't go directly to the families, it goes to local organizations which can then give the money out as they see fit. So, there's another layer of bureaucracy for the families to deal with.

That TV telethon that was on all the networks, all the channels, it raised $150 million in pledges. And the money is being controlled by the United Way. Yet officials from that agency declined to appear on The Factor this evening to explain what's going on.

They did send us a statement, and we appreciate that, but we need to hear from the United Way. They should answer some questions, such as exactly how much money will the families be getting, and when? Hopefully, a spokesman from the United Way will show up on The Factor later this week.

The situation is somewhat troubling because, as Talking Points has said, there is no government agency watching the United Way or any of the other 140 charities. You may remember that in 1995, the president of the United Way, who ran it for 22 years, was convicted in federal court for misusing the charity's money. By the way, that man, William Aramony, was being paid more than $300,000 a year to run the United Way.

The point here is that there are far too many questions about the $1 billion pledged to help the victims' families. This situation needs to get under control, and fast. I'm calling my congressman, Peter King, and asking him to keep me apprised of what's going on with all the donations. You might want to do the same thing with your congress-person.

We'll have more on the story at the end of the broadcast, and that is the memo.

[Labyrinthos]

I stopped giving to the United Way many years ago when I learned how much money it skimmed off the top just for redirecting the funds to another charitable organization. Now I give the money directly to the charitable organizations of my choice, which increases the value of the donation by 10 to 15% depending upon the inefficiency of the local United Way.

[bert]

>>7 Posted on 10/09/2001 15:41:50 PDT by concerned about politics [ Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | Top | Last ] <<

Disruptor, disruptor!

[rebapiper]

Every one of the charity groups are scam artists, they live like free loaders, that a house, new cars, children get new cars, children get pay checks and only have to make a showing to say they are working for them. Money is never given out to help. They only have to help one person and that's good enough for anyone that comes out to investigate. Salvation army several years ago in Nevada was taking millions of dollars, food, clothing, toys and other items. Everything was being taken out by the Mexicans coming in from Mexico and many came from New Mexico loading their cars up. They also got food commodaties and when government workers would come to see what was in their warhouse they would pull everything out and even rent refrigerated trucks to store some of the food, like cheese and butter, this way they would get more food from the government. A spanish mission in Nevada is bringing them in. Children are brought in and spread out with different families.

[Neanderthal]

All the big California UW's are run by leftists that support the gay/abortion crowd and oppose the BSA. I'm proud to say that I haven't given them a nickel in over 20 years.

They are very tricky with their policy of allowing you to designate which charities get your contributions. This is a total scam!

The money all goes into one liberal pot. All they have to do is make sure that each charity gets at least as much as was designated in total in the designated contributions. Since the vast bulk of contributions are not designated, this rarely affects anything. They can use their liberal inclinations to hand out the money as they see fit.

A very clever use of statistics to fool the rubes . . .

[HoustonKevin]

...NEVER!

..EVER!

Not Even for 70 Virgins!!

[concerned about politics]

Disruptor, disruptor!

What's a disrupter?

[boycott]

The liberal cheating United Way will never see another dime of my money.

[HalfIrish]

I used to have to fight like mad every year to be the only one at work to pass on payroll deductions for United Way. They used to say, "we could be 100% givers!" and I'd respond, "more like 100% suckers!"

Besides the fact that much of the United Way has been hijacked by the left, what sense does it make to give to a group that wastes so much on (often unnecessary) overhead?

[Saundra Duffy]

Too bad all United Way organizations aren't like yours. Forgive me, but I still think UNITED WAY STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN! For victory & freedom!!!

[HEFFERNAN2]

If you check out the NYPD & FDNY you will see whom you can help. Do a little search on the web. Semper Fi, Mike

[dutchess]

I understand and appreciate what you're saying. I am opposed to companies doing their "UW fundrallies" on taxpayer dollars (ie city, state and fed. employees). If a private company does it on their own dollar, that's their choice but I am still opposed to mandatory attendance and especially strong arm tactics to give. What many people don't realize is that the liberals have made sure that all interests must be included in "Public Campaigns" and UW is just a small part of it. That's why people think we are part of Planned Parenthood, whaco environmental stuff, etc. It's called the "COMBINED CAMPAIGN of which UW is just one option). The feds distribute the dollars directly. Unless we are specifically designated, we don't see a dollar.

Another interesting twist, the UW in Ann Arbor Mich. (which I consider a bastion of liberal) still supports the Boy Scout and gives them several hundred thousand. The city leaders voted NOT TO CONDUCT A UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN because of this. They said they don't want any tax payer money going to an organization that discriminates. What really pisses me off is that, yes, this is taxpayer money, INDIRECTLY, but it is money that the city workers earn and CHOOSE to give either directly or indirectly to the Boy Scouts.

Fellow freepers, the war here is not between the UW and the Boy Scouts....it is between the local schools, municipalities etc. that are trying to pressure the cause. Because of the conservative movement and fellow freepers I think we have kept the private companies at bay by threats of boycotts...Collectively we do have power! If a private company decides to do it so be it. I'm ALSO opposed to a person being forced to attend a UW rally AND ESPECIALLY FEELING COERCED to give. Again, I ask, get to know the UW in your community.

[concerned about politics]

NOPE. Salvation Army. No liberalism there at all.

[Saundra Duffy]

Re. the Red Cross. I was with Youth With A Mission in Belize, Central America, in 1991-1992. There was this Red Cross facility outside of Belmopan which took care of poor kids during the day. They fed, bathed, clothed and gave schooling to all these kids. I personally know of some kids whose lives were saved. So I love the Red Cross and always will. For victory & freedom!!!

[dutchess]

Hey, I'm the director of a small UW. We raised $775,000 last year, I used to work in direct services as a family counselor/social worker. I'm making the BIG BUCK NOW (right). Combined, my husband, a county prosecutor for 20 years and I, make less than $100,000/yr. and....I don't even get a car or a membership to a country club.... (sarcasm) I'm not complaining because this is the choice we have made and we feel good about what we are doing. I just get disheartened when I hear that we, as the most community concerned conservative people in the world, are bleed heart leberals who are abusing donations....Gosh guys....

Do I believe in what I'm doing...yell yes.. We helped start a hospice program in our community, through a special local grant we helped fund a first time week long camp for children who lost a parent or sibling.... We're working with the NY UW to help agencies pattern a similar program. No we are not just skimming money off the top. Yes we do get paid. Would YOU work for free. But most of us really want to do the right thing and CARE. WE REALLY DO!

[dutchess]

oops, posted an unedited version. Appreciate your opinions regardless....That's why I love this site. Hope a few of you understand....

[Random Access]

My husband (a Libertarian/Conservative) worked for a Fed govt. agency part-time during grad school in the D.C. area, during Reagan. The United Way people actually had the 'liberty' (OK, from Feds) to corral all the employees into a room for these big, cheerleading, donation meetings during work time, complete with balloons and so forth. They really put people on the spot. During these 'meetings,' held on company (tax-financed) time, they asked for contributions and monthly deductions from individual's paychecks. The activities to be financed with contributions were rather vaguely defined and - my husband thought it was completely outrageous. Wonder if taxpayers know about this. It's an annual process -- at their (taxpayer) expense.

Exactly! Same with where my wife works. Her supervisor actually ordered her to sign a paper stating that she did not want to donate. A bunch of shake down artists.

Basically same for the Red Cross. I remember when I was in the Army, if you did not want to donate, you had to stand at attention behind the pay table until pay call was over, then explain to the company commander why.

I am sorry about the nice lady on a previous post that works for the United Way and says it is not all that bad. Sorry, your orginization sucks. There are too many worthy causes to mess with these goons.

[4Liberty]

Understand what you are saying.

But -- this problem happens ANY time resources are "pooled" for the collective good. All sides have to have a say, even ones you disagree with.

That's why I am opposed to Collectivism. I am a limited-govt. individualist. Minimal govt (small - or no - Federal social programs) in turn minimizes people being forced to pay for things they object to -- and therefore, cuts down on the acrimony which (necessarily) comes with "pooled" social funds, and programs.

I'm still unclear on WHY there have to be these big UWfundraisers, during Govt time. I smell a rat - a big gov rat. No sanctioned Federal-level fundraiser would be done with the direct or indirect "goal" to make govt SMALLER...

A lot of these non-profits are politically motivated fronts, is my conclusion. The public sector unions had to "weigh in" on approval of these UW "meetings", too. They're democrat, - and since they approved, they must be gaining something. Doesn't pass the smell test.

Take care,

Pam, in LA :)

[4Liberty]

By the way, I think folks should not be forced to give to any charitable agency to which they are opposed. And if people want to give funds the Boy Scouts, that's fine. Some people on this web site come across like homo-bashers though, and I really hate that crap. If you oppose pedophiles - fine, why not say that. The implicit homo-bashing is just very infantile, anti-American, anti-freedom. Though the Bible may not 'approve' of gays, who cares -- this is a FREE country, not a theocracy.

MYOB.

[KQQL]

yes. Don Corleone , these are the same ones.

[KQQL]

good to hear good things about the red cross, that's why I had recommened give them $$ .