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My mother tirelessly gave 10% of what my parents earned year after year. They also volunteered their time generously. And they were content and happy for the most part. They expected (required) each of us kids to give 10% of our meager allowance in the Sunday school offering every week. It was a couple of pennies at first and by the time we left home it was several dollars. The three of us kids had jobs by the time we were twelve years old and that's when our allowances ended.

As I am a non-theist I have been tithing to the food banks instead of to a church. The local food banks are supported by all of the local grocery stores except Walmart for some reason, dozens of local businesses and 3 local churches.

Most of us have witnessed food insecurity and realize that school meals provide most of the calories many children receive. Additionally, many parents have addictions and are unable to prepare meals at home or they are working multiple jobs because the oligarchs are greedy bastards that are unwilling to pay their workers a living wage.

A couple of days ago the local K-8 school sent out a request to the community for money to support sending weekend snacks and meals home on Friday's with the kids. I'm not sure of the details so it may even be all of the kids.

Their goal is to raise $5,000 for the remainder of the school year. In a few days, they are already close to reaching their goal.

Since the oligarchs and Republicans are unwilling to help people with their most basic needs we can all find a way to pitch in if we're able. Many of you always have and always will so keep up the good work. This may not solve the Fascist problem we face with the Federal government but it can't hurt.

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I have a cause: use charitable deductions to save the SSA retirement Trust Fund. The default of Trust Funds is supposed to apex in 2033 due to the increase of birth rates of baby boomers. After 2033, birth rates of later generations flatten and the funds can be solvent.

Social Security is the greatest anti-poverty program in US history. Social Security protects workers, widow(er)s, orphans and disabled people and is a major investment for many of us. Donations can flatten the default curve, extending the apex.

https://www.ssa.gov/agency/donations.html

Why doesn't SSA advertise that donations can flatten the curve and extend the default date beyond 2033?

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Defunding the CDC and many of these other government programs will reduce our life expectancy, so maybe that’s their plan to save SS?

/s = written in sarcasm font… if that wasn’t completely clear

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If you are unable to assist in the means of production in this country you are considered dead weight.

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They need to bring on the Rapture and somehow think they will be the only ones to survive.

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Money can buy salvation in the rapture. All of the billionaires are well aware of that. /S

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Until they decide to "redirect" or "borrow" from that trust fund (or at least try). Though something like that might be what finally wakes up a certain MAGA demographic.

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Actually none of the funds have been loaned despite folkelore to the contrary. The Trust Fund paid about $22 billion to beneficiaries last year. Not a dime from general revenues.

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Your comments, Gary, are very inspiring and, in many respects mirror my upbringing and present stance. The thing that upsets me the most is the prevalence of the Great Replacement Theory - which has its seeds in Christian believers. The Christianity that I grew up with and the teachings that I still attempt to maintain center on how we treat each other. You know that old Golden Rule thing. I find my childhood values being severely tested these days. Yes, my wife and I will continue to be generous to family and friends and charitable organizations. That ain’t the difficult part. What I find difficult to do is resist being sarcastic, sanctimonious, and/or sappy by sinking to “level” of Trump and his supporters. I mean, I could write this wisecrack: “What do Trump and his supporters revere more - the Golden Rule or the Trump Tower Golden Escalator?” (Of course, I’d never say that out loud!! Oooppppsssss! Somehow my erase button ain’t working right now!) Bottom Line: We are battling the Great Replacement Theory - which never gets named and which most of the Trump supporters can’t/don’t name. At least the Allied forces in 1944 could NAME their opponent! Lately, my wife and I are planning to add the World Central Kitchen to our donation list! Hmmmmmm…. Money for Donald Trump or Jose Andres? Gotta decide what will be the Best Bang for the Buck. I vote for Jose!! Anyone else with us??

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Thanks for that Paul. One thing Trump and his Magats can't take away from us is our sense of humor. You made me smile several times.

A friend of mine is an analyst for the CIA specializing in famine and hunger. He has been with the CIA for over 20 years. I can definitely see his job going away under the current Fascist regime.

Ain't no billionaires gonna go hungry nohow.

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Your kind is considered by this administration to be just like soldiers in the military - suckers and losers.

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Bravo to your community, Gary. Project Host here in Greenville SC has a similar program, including meals during the summer hen schools are closed. Bravo to Project Hope!

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Wonderful suggestion for us. Indifference to our hungry children would be a social travesty!

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"except Walmart for some reason"

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The county where Walmart has their headquarters in Arkansas has one of the highest child poverty rates in the country. They ONLY care about profits.

Check out Nancy Walton Laurie's $300 million yacht. I'd bet a lot of money that ALL of the Walton's voted for Trump.

https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-nancy-walton-superyacht-kaos-2023-5

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I believe that’s where we should be headed as citizens is to help those that will be affected by this government fiasco.

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I also live in a state that doesn’t think it’s worthy to feed kids at school.

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You must be in Ohio

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SC

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