Telethon Nation

[SoCalDem]

We have no "real" government anymore, folks. They collect our tax money, and tell us to be self-sufficient.

They spend OUR money with abandon, and in return we get only the "abandon" part.

Whenever a crisis happens, the immediate response from our government is to "contact a different agency". In some times of crisis there is no phone service.Even if there is phone service, most will be contacting the Department of Who Gives a Shit.

Press "1" for Drop Dead
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When crisis hits us, we can only hope that reliable people come forward to hold a telethon to encourage our fellow citizens to provide for us, that which we already PAY for through our taxes.

Our "services" are reliant , in a large part, on the kindness of strangers and celebrities who have a conscience.

The modern era of Telethon Nation happened when Willie Nelson got tired of hearing about farmers being pushed off their farms.. His Farm Aid called attention to their plight and helped them a lot more than ending the so-called "death tax" could ever hope to.

Now we have poor old Jerry Lewis, sick as he is, having to ask for money to try and provide some comfort and aid to people who are hopelessly left behind , again.

What's next? carwashes, bakesales, garage sales, begging door to door for food and water for the disenfranchised among us?

or perhaps another magnetic ribbon? a bumpersticker?

..

[mikeytherat]

1. Rent the movie "Americathon"

Lame movie w/John Ritter. US is essentially broke and must have a national telethon to save the country.

Oh, and in a VERY strange coincidence, the President is a worthless boob who only got to the White House by virtue of his last name. He promptly moves the Whitehouse to California, and renames it (I shit you not), "The Western Whitehouse."

Irony is truly dead when reality is stranger than fiction.

mikey_the_rat

[SoCalDem]

2. There are many old movies that parallel our reality

at the time they were made, they were "fantasy" when they were made..

Prescient writers and filmmakers know more that they are given credit for:(

[matt819]

3. You are absolutely right

It makes me sick that every time any crisis comes up - neighborhood, regional, national - it's time for volunteers and contributions and fund-raising. There is no social contract. You're on you own in this country. You can't pay? Tough. Then you die. There is something seriously wrong when you see at convenience stores and neighborhood grocery stores containers raising nickles, dimes, and quarters for an operation for some kid who will die without it. What have we become?

So if people don't donate to the American Red Cross or some other charity organization, or if companies do not dip into their coffers and release a few meager dollars for the cause, then people in New Orleans receive no help? This is insane!

As for government help, at whatever level, it's always too little, too late, and then it comes only with excuses why it's too little, too late. Not my job. Some other department. You know the routine. And that is perfectly acceptable, it seems, because that's all we've heard from the republicans and this administration for the past five years. Someone else's job. Someone else's fault. Someone else's money.

[SoCalDem]

4. Don't forget the schools either

Most activities are pay-as-you-go these days. I honestly don;t know how poor families can afford to send their kids to PUBLIC school. Their kids have to take a "pass" on the fun field trips..

Even as long ago as when my youngest was in school, some of those field trips cost hundreds of dollars, and the little kids were handed BOXES of candy to sell.. The school probably got pennies on the dollar, and if their "goal" was not reached, they couldn;t go on the trip.. (I never let mine sell candy.. they did it once, and they mostly ATE the candy and I had to pay anyway)..

Something is very rotten in America..it's our government

[Bluebear]

5. kick