It's a recession Christmas. Even though retail and online sales improved this year over last year, the unemployment rate in the country was at 10 percent as of November. During the same month, the average duration a person remained unemployed was 28.5 weeks.
In tough times, people sometimes reach out to friends, family, church or their community for help. Some take to streets and panhandle.
But this is the age of the Internet. Now it's possible to ask for money, clothes, toys or anything else you need on various web sites, blogs, even eBay.
On the blog Begslist, people can post request under various categories, including "general plea," "family crsis," "disaster relief," "need toys," "need a job," "can't pay rent," etc., etc.
At CyberBeg.com, people post letters pleading for help with titles such as "Feeling overwhelmed with no relief in sight," "ALMOST THERE! Just need a little more help," "STRUGGLING to Keep Up," and "Working for nothing.. messed up and am pleading for another shot." You can read the story and then click on the Paypal button to make your donation.
For those looking for web security and great marketing, DonateMoney2Me.com is the place to go. They claim that they ranked in the top 1 percent of all the websites in the world and have been covered by CNN, ABC, and NBC. For a fee of $44 for the first month and $9.95 a month beginning after 30 days, users are get their own web page and secure place to make their case.
Folks are also setting up their virtual tin cups on eBay, which can be a bit tricky. It's an auction web site, and itrequires that an item be listed for auction. To get around the technicality, some people list worthless items for pennies, but encourage higher bids.
I know that times are tough and in principal, I'm not against this idea. But I have mixed emotions. They're the same ones I have when I see someone panhandling on the street: sympathy and reluctance. Sometimes I do put a few bucks into the cup. One time, I bought a sandwich for a guy.
Frequently, though, I have felt dismayed seeing the same person hanging around outside the neighborhood liquor store. I don't want to enable destructive behavior. Is that me judging? And what about that kid that just needs subway fare to get back home? All I know is, I don't want to get duped.
The world should be simpler, right? Getting by shouldn't be that difficult and helping others shouldn't be riddled with conflicting thoughts.
Perhaps the anonymity of these sites will make it easier for people to ask and for others to give. Afterall, if you are being duped, you'll never know. Fortunately for some, Christmas is the time for giving.
Tags: Internet, Issues and Ethics
comments ( )