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The United Way is very hard sell.

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.

I'm not categorically opposed to the United Way, and there's nothing wrong with soliciting funds AFTER work hours, or via the Mail. But LOCAL charities are best from an accountability perspective. Anything this 'big' gets away from direct control by the actual donors, and can be corruptly administered with the vast majority of contributors knowing nothing about it.

I wonder how much of this money is used for political campaigns and 'non-profit' organizations (you know, -- like Jesse Jackson's crowd). As I recall, many "non-profit" groups are funded via charitable orgs; and help get "voters" (read: Democrats) "registered to vote," etc.

Great.

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.

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.