Bush Urges Americans to Help the Needy

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- President Bush urged Americans to seek out ways to help the needy during the holiday season, and he took credit for a rise in volunteerism nationwide.

"This holiday season, I ask every American to look for a challenge in your own community, and step forward to lend a hand," Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday.

"Particularly in this time of giving, our thoughts turn to fellow citizens who face hardship, or illness, or loneliness," he said. "Their burden often seems even greater at Christmastime, yet the hope of this season was meant for them, as well."

Bush cited a government report issued this week that found more people in the United States volunteered their time in the past year. About 63.8 million people, or 28.8 percent of the civilian population age 16 and older, performed volunteer work at some time between September 2002 and September 2003, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said. That's up from 59.8 million, or 27.4 percent, from the previous year.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-bush-volunteerism,0,1782721.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Somebody PLEASE quip wise about this or I'll scream.

[grasswire]

1. there's nothing to say

All we can hope for is karma for the Bush grifters. Three fold.

[joeunderdog]

67. I guess he must have succeeded in changing overtime to volunteer wage.

If he had it his way, we'd all be working for nothing.

[rock]

2. The man is all heart

Of course, he personally isn't going to do anything to help the needy.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Just saw this on AP

I had to run to the bathroom and hurl.

[Party of the People]

4. Would it help if

you keep in mind that speechwriters prepared this...and that you probably would have to laugh if you heard him try to pronounce the words when he spoke?

[Rose Siding]

7. It's just so bloody transparent and political

You point out the positive and convince the listener of your part in it. But as soon as I saw stats, before I read it, I guessed they would be the stats about the increased poverty numbers- you see those all over- and I was just shocked that he's chose to tout his own horn at that particular point.

but yes, he talks funny lol, thanks :cry:

[Virgil]

8. I broke open my piggy bank

Looks like about $87 billion I have to help the unemployed, elderly, and sick.

Bush will have $200 million to try and make a permanent poor with permanent suffering. If he would blow his two brain cells out the world would be a better place.

[Sugarbleus]

50. ROFL----->'I broke open my piggy bank..'

He would need to take a few buddies with him when he "blows" to make the world a better place.

[revcarol]

5. This is one sick joke

from one sick man.

A rise in volunteerism?? Around here, if you volunteer to serve and prepare seniors' meals, you get to eat free and don't have to pay the $1.50 everyone else does. And if you volunteer a certain number of hours at the clothing bank, you get 5 items of clothing free. Rise in volunteerism? People are DESPERATE!!

[Sugarbleus]

51. Does he even know..

how many folks it would take to volunteer in helping others? If he knew, he'd also realize there wouldn't be anybody working at their regular jobs so as to PAY TAXES that he so enjoys spending for his own pet projects.
Yes, the people are desperate and hanging by a thread; waaaaaaaay too many of us!

[PaDUer]

72. What's he doing to help...

the needy? He's the puke bastard who's taking everything away from people! People should line up at his tx ranch..let him donate to the needy!

[Pattib]

6. I thought he wanted us to go shopping? NT

[Sugarbleus]

52. LOL LOL....great point, I almost forgot that!!! n/t

[Tinoire]

60. You guys are bad! Virgil, Rock and you so far

:spank: :spank:

making me laugh so hard and waking the dog!

[tnlefty]

9. This American from the Volunteer State respectfully requests that Mr.

Bush* piss off! I'm sure that he and Laura will find lots of needy folks at Camp David and at the pig farm.

[SharonAnn]

48. Hello! Don't think I ever noticed your "handle" before.

The Volunteer state is the state to point out the * volunteer plan, isn't it?

Honestly, is * as dumb as he appears? If so, why do they ever let him out in public?

[citizen snips]

10. You can start by not giving tax breaks to the wealthy.

The first thing you should do Bush is not give tax breaks to the wealthy.

[lebkuchen]

11. That's what taxes are for

in civilized countries.

[Sugarbleus]

53. Civilized is the KEY word here. good point.. n/t

[Pax Argent]

12. Please help the poor and needy.....

'cuz lord knows my Administration won't! - GWB

Why shouldn't he take credit for getting folks to help the poor and downtrodden. Think about all of the opportunities Bush has created for folks to show they care by creating all of this newly-minted poverty! Truly a target-rich environment.

[54anickel]

13. Puh-leez

"America's 63 million volunteers are setting a fine example for our nation," Bush said. "They are meeting essential needs in their communities -- and they know the fulfillment that only comes from serving a cause greater than self."

Well, somebody has to do it and it sure as hell ain't gonna be Shrub and his rich buddies. You know, the ones with the BIG tax breaks that were going to be more charitable if not more so? Charitable contribs are way down this year, again.

I do more volunteer type stuff with all of my free time, now that I'm out of work.

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:



Yep, the call of duty is to do everything possible to assure he's not re-selected!

[Sugarbleus]

54. LOL..I'm sorry to be..

Laughing so much, this is serious, but you guys responses are priceless...and well said. "GO DUers"

Judging by that picture, maybe BUSH would come volunteer to build a wheelchair accessible ramp into my house???? whadda think?

[JPace]

14. Is this a joke?

his policies are causing people to lose
thier jobs, there are millions without
healthcare, millions more losing their
homes all the while bush is increasing
the incomes of the wealthiest.

Trickle down economics? Only thing
trickling down is bushit!

[twilight]

15. volunteer!

Before you get that letter in the mail that is from Uncle Sam! Then you won't have the option! :grr:

[tlcandie]

16. Maybe he wanted us to all have something to do while he

annihilates all that we've held dear along with the Iraqi people?

He is making them...he should help them, but no now we are made to feel guilty because there are WAY TOO MANY ANYMORE to help everyone on an individual basis!

I made a mess NOW CLEAN IT UP you indignant cannon fodder!

[burrowowl]

17. Bu$hie is

creating the needy so fast, we can't keep up!
Damn him et al!

[Norquist Nemesis]

18. Then taking the credit for

motivating the volunteers. How twisted.

[Retrograde]

42. The Lovely Laura

and the twins could set an example with some conspicuous volunteerism. It wouldn't be a total waste - just think of what a photo op it could be! If it's good enough for Jimmy Carter....

So he's taking credit? It's almost enough to make me want to resign. The place where I've been volunteering has a lot of the "new leisure class" looking for contacts and the occasional lead.

linda

[aquart]

19. He did this with a straight face?

Didn't break out into giggles or anything?

[tlcandie]

20. No he believes his own lies ...

He's the GREAT, FEARLess leader of a poorer and poorer nation becoming more hated by the world daily.

[ninkasi]

21. Oh? Then how does

Dipwad explain this?

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2309640

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Gulf Area's United Way is short by 10 million this year. Surely there were enough Haliburton and KBR executives who benefited from his giveaway tax cut to make up the difference.

Wasn't that one of his hare-brained theories, that tax cuts, in addition to improving the economy, and all that bs nonsense, it would enable the rich to contribute more to charity. It doesn't seem to be working.

[Sugarbleus]

55. Great point! n/t

[Triana]

22. Help the Needy - Impeach Bush (n/t)

[pinto]

23. I sent a donation to KBR/Halliburton. A company in bankruptcty must

be feeling the pinch at this time of year and I just wanted them to know that the hope of this season includes them. It's not much, but we can all do our part.

:eyes:

[Tinoire]

61. Such compassion! Oh them Libruls!

;)

[Rex]

24. We will help the needy by kicking Dubya out of office next year!

nt

[cyclezealot]

25. Volunteerism

Years ago I wrote Speaker Newt..He said if each American volunteered two hours a week, poverty would be eliminated. I told the Newt, I would not and if it helped out the American people, he would have to commit four hours, to make up for my refusal.
Why so mean spirited. Such progams are ineffectual cover up,band aid, feel good measures to try and make the American people feel we are doing something..The American public does not care about its safety net, then they deserve what they get..
This country is based upon the principal, all for oneself and if someone fails, too bad. Just don't litter my road with scum and build more gated communities.
I will not be a part of such incomplete, ineffective programs. Of course, one of Bushies' alterior motives is to convert us all to his brand of saved souls. No thanks.. Volunteerism has its place,but not as a national safety net.Something we do at Christmas time to cleanse our souls of our apathy.

[pinto]

28. on a serious note, Yeah!, volunteerism, well established in most

communities, is NO substitute for the basic social contract between the people and the state. And if that social contract is called liberalism, socialism, buffythevampirism, I don't care. It exists and everyone knows it does. And values it to some degree. Dems have missed something here, I think, and it's three living generations of good will.

[Sugarbleus]

56. LOL---->buffythevampirism...

As for my family, we have been volunteers for about 18 years +/-. My hubby is disabled, in a wheelchair yet he does more for the community than anyone would expect. He works for/with ADA, elderly, accessibility solutions and local accessible transportation. Now he is a memeber of WAMM (medical marijuana co op) where he not only picks up for himself but goes to nursing homes to bring "medicine" to those people who have limited or no mobility. He and a few other disabled men started an independent living center in my front room. It has since been taken over with state funds etc. I am caring for him, so the state doesn't have to lay out the big bucks to put him in some "nursing institution" at a HUGE cost. I do it for pennies on the dollar. I'm raising my grandson at this point and have volunteered to feed the hungry at the holidays...big whoop eh..they need food and shelter AND healthcare EVERYDAY. Alarmingly, more and more middle class types are falling out of middle murika into these lines.
Now we are old and sick but the state and the fed cannot or will not give us a backwards glance. No one person can volunteer us out of this poverty and all it brings. It is up to a the whole society.
Stuff that in your xmas stocking George!

[cyclezealot]

64. Volunteerism has its place.

Congratulations for your good works.. We just don't think all the volunteerism in the world will bring the socal problems of cities like Flint, Benton Harbor back...Bush is not bringing us jobs with mediacl coverage and if every volunteer in American descended upon Flint or Bronx for six months would that change reality in those locations.

[prolesunited]

46. This statement sums up the prevailing attitude

quite well: "This country is based upon the principal, all for oneself and if someone fails, too bad. Just don't litter my road with scum and build more gated communities."

How else would you explain the one-time success of the game show "The Weakest Link."

Have you read Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake." It really takes on corporate control of peoples lives and the rich walling themselves off in gated communities.

[Fleshdancer]

26. April Fools Day is suppose to be in April

Someone should inform him of this.

[Gman]

27. The unemployed volunteer time for something to do

hence the rise. Yes, Bush can take credit because he put these people out of work.

[The Backlash Cometh]

29. I guess this is one of those learn by example lessons

Bush will never succeed with this appeal, because he's too much "Do as I say, not as I do." Yo, Bush. Here's a clue for you. Compassion trickles downward.

[xchrom]

30. odd -- charitable giving in the s.f. bay area

is down 55% from last year.
news reports have giving down nation wide -- to the point of severe crises in places like s.f..
i don't think the simpleton in chief knows what he's talking about -- once again.

[MasonJar]

31. I turned on c-span and there he was.

The man has no shame; he has nerve taking away from the poor and then admonishing Americans to take up his slack. What an insult; I do not want to hear from "Whistle-ass" about anything that I should do. Cheney is being investigated for corporate bribery by France. Asscrass, the biggest hypoctrite on the face of the earth, is being investigated for campaign fraud. Shrub should have gone to jail for insider trading. Rumsfield is a turncoat; look how he treated his old pal Sadaam. Cheney was also doing business with the Iraq regime which was strictly against the law. Condi is a liar and an unconvincing one at that. Powell is a wimpy weasel.

[dfong63]

32. sure volunteerism is on the rise, it's a great way to fill in the time

... "between jobs"... :(

[demgrrrll]

33. You first ya little ............ I have devoted a good portion

of my life to the those types of activities and it infuriates me that someone who does nothing without considering what is in it for him or
his pals would dare to ask anyone do do something altruistic. Burns me up.

[0007]

34. Things are gettin' so bad in this household,

that I got a goodwill care package from a Haitian

[Sugarbleus]

57. Holy cow...

How did that come about? Just curious

[Malva Zebrina]

35. right and the brilliant propagand machine has discovered that

they can blame the people if there is suffering, homelessness, hunger and the like because--well because George told them to "volunteer" and they fell back on the job. Damn it, it is your fault for not volunteering as much as you can you slack off Americans.!

Volunteerism, imo, is just a way for big, rich corporations to get stuff for free without having to pay for it. People who work, should be paid for their work. That's the American way and the way of the civilized world. That would best benefit those who are out of work and who need a job. Think of it--how many jobs are being stolen from the needy by the rich, retirees who get off on their volunteer status, having their picture in the paper as socialites, getting a plaque at the annual dinner, with their name on it and virtually believing they run things enough so that their gossip can make or break any employee. They are soooooo impressed with themself. and they are taking jobs away from those who would really like to have the job, and who really need the job in order to feed their family.

How much of that volunteerism could be a salaried job? And do not tell me these corps cannot afford it. They are exploiting people to get stuff for free. Period.

[truthisfreedom]

36. bush's job is to protect the rich. the homeless are USED to it. see?

the rich would never survive being homeless. bush knows this, so he is obligated to protect them with every fiber of his being. the homeless are a tough old bunch who have CHOSEN that lifestyle, and they don't need no protectin', because they're at a place where they BELONG. the bottom. if they weren't where they belonged, they wouldn't be called homeless, now would they? they'd be called "deserving of homes"!

so his message is... you wanna help 'em... go ahead. it's your money, suckers. us rich guys gotta protect our own. godd*mned tax-and-budget Democat Party.

[goforit]

37. Class war?......Yep, the rich have attacked the middle and the lower!!!!

And everyone thought the poor would attack the rich!!!

LOL!!!!.........Cut me some slack!!!!

[Lorien]

38. The only "needy" Bush* serves

all make over $400,000 a year!

[PartyPooper]

39. What Junior *really* means is..."Do as I say...NOT as I do!"

:eyes:

[Sugarbleus]

58. Bush="Dicktater" eom

'..Do as I SAY! you infidels!!!!!

[barbaraann]

40. This is not being received very well on the Yahoo forum.

http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=NEWS&action=m&board=37138469&tid=apbushvolunteerism&sid=37138469&mid=1&type=date&first=1

You know, I don't remember Bill Clinton telling us to help the needy. He set an example of compassion and did not need to pretend he cared.

[Tinoire]

63. 22 recommendations now

;)

[WildClarySage]

41. I work as a volunteer coordinator

at a domestic violence shelter. My numbers this year are actually way down. I realize this doesn't reflect national trends, but real enough in our shelter. Mostly it's because most people in our community are too freakin' busy working their 3 jobs to volunteer with us. Add to that all OTHER volunteer opportunities in our community that we're competing with, now that all our agencies are cutting paid positions, to make up those services we used to be able to pay staff to do. The value of volunteer time is at an all-time high, but the number of volunteers, at our agency, anyway, are at an all-time low.

And ok, I'm a tad selfish, I know, but this makes me come off looking bad, and when the next round of cuts comes, who knows? Maybe the "Volunteer Coordinator" position will soon be another volunteer opportunity?

[mbperrin]

43. How much of this volunteerism is actually

court-ordered community service?

Just a thought as we consider living in the most-incarcerated country in the world!

"Look at those happy prisoners singing softly by the side of the road while they pick up the trash we couldn't con people into picking up for free by giving them their very own adopt-a-highway sign!Unbelievably, some people used to get PAID for doing that. I wonder why the lazy bums don't get a job?"

[area51]

44. POS Bush

George W. Hoover said:

"`This holiday season, I ask every American to look for a challenge in your own community, and step forward to lend a hand,´ Bush said."

There wouldn't be so much homelessness, hunger & joblessness if Bush hadn't killed this country's economy so that it doesn't create new jobs. Sounds like the warmed-over sh*t of "1000 points of light".

[schultzee]

45. No extension of unemployment benefits....yea bush liar liar liar

[qanda]

47. While he helps out the greedy!

eom

[CBHagman]

71. That would make a great bumper sticker, pbl

George W. Bush: Helping the greedy.

George W. Bush: Comforting the comfortable and afflicting the afflicted.

[BiggJawn]

49. Yeah, George, have your good friend Kenny-Boy help me out...

have him bring a coupla ten thousand to make up what I've back-slid since you stole office...And send the Tequilla Twins (properly liquored-up) to take care of my "loneliness"...

Big dick-head!

[Gore1FL]

59. Anmd to make it convenient, he has added needy near you!

How thoughtful of him to make the needy so accessable by tripling their numbers.

[WilliamPierce]

62. Bush:Needy who?

Ain't that supposed to be the president's job to help the needy.

Maybe Bush considered Haliburtan IS the "NEEDY"



.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

65. Bush should call on his buds who got tax breaks to help the needy

Roosevelt didn't call on the rich to help the needy. He created the CCC. Tax dollars went to those that needed it.

[lostnfound]

66. Does volunteering for MoveOn or Greenpeace or Indymedia or ...

Mothers for Clean Air or .. (fill in the blank) count?

Many of us out here recognize that Bush's government is on the attack against all that matters for human life.

[hatrack]

68. Yo, Chimpy! I already volunteer, thank you very much

I don't need your dumb self-righteous, silver-spoon lazy ass to tell me that people need help. Wake up and smell what you're shoveling!

[CBHagman]

69. Just to recap, dear people.

Okay, here's the Bush policy, stripped naked and without sanctimonious pundits cooing over it:

*We don't need to raise the minimum wage, even if no one can actually pay for basic housing and health insurance on it.

*Bankruptcy laws must be tightened so that creditors will have an easier time squeezing money out of you.

*Nothing's going to be done to help the health insurance coverage problem, except for providing more money to the pharmaceutical companies through the prescription drug benefit while getting rid of the government's bargaining power over drug prices.

*Medical savings accounts might also be allowed, though they aren't going to do a thing for the average worker.

*You've got to save for your retirement. After all, Bush wants to privatize Social Security and you better get used to playing that stock market.

*But if your stock tanks due to corporate corruption, hey, good luck, everybody. That's just the way it is. The CEO can keep his four houses, though.

*We want better education for your children, but we're not going to provide the funds to attain it.

*Oh, and don't forget to save for your children's college education. Add that to your medical savings account and retirement saving list.

*But child care isn't desperately in need of subsidizing, for, as Rick Santorum says, making single mothers struggle a bit more isn't the worst thing in the world.

*Oh, and Bush keeps reminding us that we have to love our children WITH OUR WHOLE HEART AND OUR WHOLE SOUL. Oh, and if those children screw up and they're not children of the GOP or talk radio hosts, expect them to go to jail for a long time.

Well, good luck, everybody. We've provided tax cuts for the top 1 percent, so they'll be getting thousands (and, in some cases, millions) more than they'd anticipated. Of course, the states' budgets are in dire straits, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Oh, and merry Christmas.

That's all Bush. :puke:

[pinto]

70. hear you, CB. Call, write and generally say something to your congressman

We don't have to put up with this sh*t. Hang in there. Have the best of your holiday. It's yours to have.

[bleedingheart]

73. Perhaps he can help them since he is the one creating so many

needy people through his stupid policies.