(Donating) to help people get to DC. Moral issue?

[Agent CSL]

The idea is a website where the webmaster can create pages for people who need help getting to DC. They may start a ChipIn, or advertise a business. Whatever they might need. But there’s a moral issue I have. I’ve never been a beggar and I do understand the multiple grassroots projects that still need funding.

So what’s your thought on a fundraiser website idea? Has one already been created?

 

[Hamburglar]

I think there are situation where it is appropriate to ask for donations. I would avoid it whenever possible and make sure there is no funny business though.

 

[Kevlar]

If some rich bastard wants to pay for some cheap bastard's plane ticket, that's fine with me.

 

[wd4freedom]

Free market

Anyone has the right the start this type of website. If the market supports helping in the endeavor to send folks to DC, then let it happen.

 

[smileylovesfreedom]

I wouldn't mind seeing a website up with people advertising services, businesses, ebay auctions/classifed ads, etc... for people/groups who need to raise money to pay for their trip out to D.C.

And maybe locals can connect with other locals to further cut-down on costs....

 

[pinkmandy]

No problems here. There is no way we could afford it if it were on the west coast...not the whole family of 5, *maybe* just me. I'm close to DC so money isn't an issue for us, though. I can def see how it would be for some.

 

[newyearsrevolution08]

Another thing that would be fun is a raffle of sorts maybe. Everyone puts in $XX or $XXX amount of money and then that pays for random people to get a trip to d.c. as well.

Contests are a great way to attract more people as well, just look into any legal issues.

 

[pinkmandy]

Another thing that would be fun is a raffle of sorts maybe. Everyone puts in $XX or $XXX amount of money and then that pays for random people to get a trip to d.c. as well.

Contests are a great way to attract more people as well, just look into any legal issues.

Good idea! Only one qualifier...sign up to be a delegate!

 

[Agent CSL]

Has this idea already been created? I know someone was going to make one for plane tickets in California, but that was only in California.

I wouldn't mind creating the site. It would be used as a centralized link list, basically, and not much to the technical or legal side.

Keep posting ideas. I'm about to go to bed and I'll read them when I get up. Thank ya'll.

 

[debbie53]

In keeping with Ron Paul's message, I think any financial help for getting to DC should be the responsibility of local communities, not the entire nation. Sure there are people who really cannot afford to go, but, as in our society as a whole, there will also be those looking for a free ride. How will we know the difference? I say that anyone needing funds to travel to DC should approach his or her local Meetup groups for help. Maybe they can repay the debt by canvassing either door-to-door or by phone, writing letters or newspaper ads, or in some other capacity where they have a talent.

 

[liam]

why not do it at state level as suggested above. on the west coast you might find it is cheaper to charter 200-400 passenger aircraft if you can fill them, or you could stop in mid US and pick up more RP passengers if you can't fill them from your state. I see Jet blue is ~200 dollars return for the weekend of the 21st June.

http://www.aircraft-charter-world.com/

 

[TuningIn]

This is a role for meet-ups

The people from your meet-up know you. They will recognize you at the march. There is no reason why, if you have a legitimate need, you can't get the funds from your meet-up.

 

[Bigvick]

May I suggest "Hitchhiker" if you can't afford to go lol

I have to fly from Europe to come and it's not cheap - I am sure most people can find enough money to come if you really try..

 

[Zack]

I think all the low income Paulites need to be there for this to even have a chance at success, and they probably won't have the money to get there if they're not fairly close by.

In my opinion, the two worst ways to handle it are:

A) To say it will work itself out locally, through meetups and rebate checks. Sure, that's part of it, but that attitude just isn't going to give us the numbers we could and should get.

B) For individuals to ask for donations. To call that inefficient would be the biggest understatement of all time. Look at the demographic info from the exit polls in the primaries. Ron Paul doesn't exactly have the richest supporters. There are LOTS of low income Paul supporters that need to get there, and throwing $900 at each one is not possible. Even if there was a massively successful website promoting the idea, how many people would it get to D.C.? 40? 60?
Probably not even that.

The only way for masses of low income RP supporters to get there, is for there to be MANY ghettolicious caravans from every corner of the country, in the form of whatever travel is most inexpensive: Loaded vans, chartered buses, etc. And the only way for even that to work is probably for funding from donations somewhere other than just "the meetups and rebate checks". Some kind of chip-in donation website with itemized expenditures (e.g. chartered 50 pass. bus from dallas.. $2700, 13 motel room reservations for 50 people.. $500) is probably a good idea. But even then, it would require some real clever local and non-local planning, mixed with some real generous local and non-local funding.

 

[Liberty_is_NORML]

Not really a moral issue, but I think that people should try to take care of themselves instead of asking for help.

I'm saving right now for the trip.

 

[The Tao Of Bill]

Personally I wouldn't do this. It's kind of degrading if you ask me. But if you don't give a shit about that then by all means. If it gets you to the march you could whore yourself out for all I care.

 

[nosebruise]

Donations are fantastic.

Charities are fantastic.

They are absolutely wonderful for communities, and are a great way help out your fellow man, because yes personal responsibility is good thing to promote, but sometimes things just don't work out even if you are a very responsible person. As long as that person isn't abusing the charity, its a great way to strengthen a community.

especially in politics, where donating, is basically casting a pseudo-vote with your money. it shows your support.



Stealing money from citizens "forcing" them to pay for an inefficient abused state-run monopoly on "charity" is a little less than fantastic. especially because it the abuse diminishes responsibility and creates a bad mindset.

promote personal responsibility, but help your fellow man when they do, in fact need it!