Do you feel like you contribute to society?

[lexxy703]

May 19, 2015 12:04:48 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 19, 2015 11:59:30 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

In the big picture I probably don't contribute to society other than paying taxes & adopting shelter animals.

You take care of the voiceless and powerless. That is something big.

Thank you Tenn.  That is very kind of you.

[Tennesseer]

May 19, 2015 12:13:51 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

May 19, 2015 12:04:48 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

You take care of the voiceless and powerless. That is something big.

Thank you Tenn.  That is very kind of you.

I too offer food, shelter, and when possible, medical care to cats whom otherwise would be roaming the streets.

[lexxy703]

May 19, 2015 12:21:09 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 19, 2015 12:13:51 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

Thank you Tenn.  That is very kind of you.

I too offer food, shelter, and when possible, medical care to cats whom otherwise would be roaming the streets.

I read that on a thread a while back that you feed the feral or semi feral ones in your back yard.  Kudos to you!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I am a responsible, thoughtful, empathetic person trying to raise 2 sons to be equally, or more, so.

i have tried to volunteer locally, but have found my efforts impacted and outright thwarted by politics, huge egos, and selfish, self-centered whining.

As my kids head off to college, I am seeking new uses for my passion and skills, but I don't think building another turf field in town will necessarily make the world a better place. 

I live among wealthy, connected, people and yet where is the outrage over real evil such as the hundreds of girls kidnapped by Boko Harum or the violence in Darfur or the continuing famine in the Sudan?  I must be weird, because I just don't get as heated as other townsfolk over the late start to the Spring sports season due to 5 feet of snow on the ground (and I have 2 lax players so the delay does impact my family).  My fellow townspeople are good folks.  They just have a narrower view over what is important in life than I do.  So, I will need to expand my horizons soon, and maybe even change my address.  

[Tennesseer]

May 19, 2015 12:23:08 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

May 19, 2015 12:21:09 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I too offer food, shelter, and when possible, medical care to cats whom otherwise would be roaming the streets.

I read that on a thread a while back that you feed the feral or semi feral ones in your back yard.  Kudos to you!

And they have the whole garage too, including three pet doors into it, water, breakfast, dinner and treats, heater in the winter, and bedding for all. Same for the backyard cats-except they live in multiple heated (in the winter) doghouses, and two meals a day plus treats.

[lexxy703]

May 19, 2015 12:30:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 19, 2015 12:23:08 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

I read that on a thread a while back that you feed the feral or semi feral ones in your back yard.  Kudos to you!

And they have the whole garage too, including three pet doors into it, water, breakfast, dinner and treats, heater in the winter, and bedding for all. Same for the backyard cats-except they live in multiple heated (in the winter) doghouses, and two meals a day plus treats.

How many are there?  That sounds like a great set up & expensive.

[Tennesseer]

May 19, 2015 12:37:11 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

May 19, 2015 12:30:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

And they have the whole garage too, including three pet doors into it, water, breakfast, dinner and treats, heater in the winter, and bedding for all. Same for the backyard cats-except they live in multiple heated (in the winter) doghouses, and two meals a day plus treats.

How many are there?  That sounds like a great set up & expensive.

I have gotten about 40 of them spayed or neutered. I have been doing this since 2005. As you know, outdoor cats have a much shorter life span. I think right now there are about 18 left, most related to each other in some way. It was a rough past 12 months as 8 died or disappeared. This winter was especially harsh for them, though all the backyard cats survived and they have the least protection from the elements.

Taking care of the animals is my second largest monthly expense.

[lexxy703]

May 19, 2015 12:49:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 19, 2015 12:37:11 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

How many are there?  That sounds like a great set up & expensive.

I have gotten about 40 of them spayed or neutered. I have been doing this since 2005. As you know, outdoor cats have a much shorter life span. I think right now there are about 18 left, most related to each other in some way. It was a rough past 12 months as 8 died or disappeared. This winter was especially harsh for them, though all the backyard cats survived and they have the least protection from the elements.

Taking care of the animals is my second largest monthly expense.

You are an angel to those cats Tenn!    Thank you for your contribution!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

By YM contribution to society standards at this point in time I should be taken out back and shot.

Not doing well right now

[souldoubt]

I pay taxes, follow the laws/rules and don't expect someone else to pay my way so I feel that I contribute to society.  The company I work for services many "average Joe's" but that had nothing to do with why I wanted to work here.  I previously worked for a non-profit that helped low income individuals but had to get out of there because it was run poorly and in fact that company no longer exists.  We have multiple volunteer opportunities through work that I have partaken in.  My gf also want to do some stuff together but with different work schedules it hasn't happened yet.  

[kcladyjane]

I do accounting work for a manufacturer.  I work for the paycheck. If I didn't need the money I would stay home. I honestly don't help anyone other than my family/extended family. I mean I would help people I know if they needed me but so far my help hasn't been needed. I don't give money to charities.  I do tithe at church when we actually make it there.  My focus for now and probably the next 30 years will be to raise my daughter and help her be a good person.  I am not all that concerned about contributing to society....  Sounds a bit mean I suppose, but we take care of our own and I expect others to do the same.

[midjd]

I like to think I do employment wise, but most people see lawyers as bottom feeding scum.

Personally, I do a lot of volunteer work and sit on a few boards.

I also pay a buttload of taxes, and make sure my kids don't act like little assholes in public.

Same here, except sometimes DD still gets in a few good screams at the grocery store before I drag her out to the parking lot 

There was a legislative attempt to gut one of the programs I manage during this most recent session. It failed in part because I provided tangible data showing that the program had helped thousands of people (the side that was arguing that their program was better had zero data to support any of their arguments, and the lobbyists' "well... well... it's just better, that's why!" during the hearings was entertaining.) 

Of course, the program would probably chug along just as well with someone else at the helm, and some days I feel like all I do is answer emails, but overall I think I do contribute at least my fair share to society. 

[milee]

May 19, 2015 12:53:38 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

By YM contribution to society standards at this point in time I should be taken out back and shot.

Not doing well right now

Don't beat yourself up. You have two little ones right now and that's all-consuming.  There are different seasons in life and right now, you're in the crazy, please-keep-these-kids-alive-and-me-reasonably-sane season.

[tskeeter]

Hmmm - contribute to society?  Hey, I'm an accountant.  For a living I add up numbers and tell people they can't do stuff cause it's against the rules.

From a personal standpoint, we pay income taxes.  That means we support ourselves and provide for a good chunk of another family's needs.  That's a good thing, right?

 

[Deleted]

I suppose that since I'm retired I should be doing more than I am. I definitely pay taxes and our charity budget is a bigger line item than our mortgage payment.  I've never in my life had to take needs-based government benefits (I realize there's some luck and the grace of God in there). 

When I think about volunteer work that would be really meaningful- teaching ESL, for example- it involves too much structure.  I'm on the Finance and Audit committees for my church, I donate blood every 8 weeks, and I just got back from 2 hours of planting tomatoes and peppers in the church garden; we donate hundreds of pounds of produce to the local soup kitchen every summer. So, I do some good here and there.

[mroped]

Make some people happy by building them things that they have been dreaming of for years. Or fixing the old-old ones that have fallen in disrepair.
But then I hand over the bill!
Not so cheery anymore are we? 
But then a while later they call me back to build some more stuff so I guess is not as bad as I tought. Or maybe that is because I'm about the only stone mason in the area?
Who cares! I'm happy and that's all it matters

In the last 13 years I taught at least a half a dozen people to do stone work. Two of them managed to become good or even great at it.

[zibazinski]

Well, there's diet and coke zero. But we haven't lost all choices yet. You are still allowed to be fat and eat and drink poorly. I think even Canada allows that if I'm not mistaken.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

May 19, 2015 12:53:38 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

By YM contribution to society standards at this point in time I should be taken out back and shot.

Not doing well right now

Hey, my friend, I know it's dark right now, but you're going to find a way out of it soon. 
Focus on your babies. They need you. 

[Deleted]

I'm not sure I really understand what contribute to society means. I do stuff that is appreciated by individuals and they are members of society so I guess I qualify.

[weltschmerz]

May 19, 2015 13:16:48 GMT -5 souldoubt said:

I pay taxes, follow the laws/rules and don't expect someone else to pay my way so I feel that I contribute to society.  The company I work for services many "average Joe's" but that had nothing to do with why I wanted to work here.  I previously worked for a non-profit that helped low income individuals but had to get out of there because it was run poorly and in fact that company no longer exists.  We have multiple volunteer opportunities through work that I have partaken in.  My gf also want to do some stuff together but with different work schedules it hasn't happened yet.  

There's a big difference between not taking anything from society vs contributing to society.

I'm just saying.....

[zibazinski]

You contribute to society by not leeching off those that do. In today's society, that's huge. Getting rarer, too.

[Miss Tequila]

I pay a shit ton in taxes...does that count?

[Cookies Galore]

May 19, 2015 19:39:56 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I'm not sure I really understand what contribute to society means. I do stuff that is appreciated by individuals and they are members of society so I guess I qualify.

I'd say you qualify. You brought two girls into your home and gave them stability, and now you have a young woman on her way to university. I admire the fact that you fostered.

[cael]

I do feel like I contribute at least something to society... my job (even though people hate us) does protect the public - I'm the reason you don't get sick eating out in a restaurant in town. In my personal life.. I volunteer at a cat rescue and I think that does a good thing for society/animals, and I play music which I believe benefits society. Not sure knitting like a maniac benefits anyone except myself and the occasional gift recipient but hey.

[yogiii]

My effect on society isn't negative.  I'm not sure I can claim much past keeping the equilibrium though.

[Artemis Windsong]

I create my usefulness by using fitness facilities and select trainers.  Paying all monthly obligations on time. Stable living.  The offspring do not follow my good example.  

One of the biggest mental obstacles I had to overcome when retiring was not contributing through paid employment. 

[mmhmm]

My neighbors and I care for a feral cat community. My daughter and SIL care for a couple of them. I did volunteer work at our free medical clinic for years. Hope to get back to that once I've downsized this moose of a house and am re-settled. Rather than give one another Christmas gifts, our family uses those funds for local charities that we know do good work. Yes, we do contribute to society and all of us are glad to do so. 

[The Captain]

We pay income taxes, a lot of them.

I also complete the Federal and State tax forms for two NFP's.  Somehow I also got roped into actually doing the books for one until they find another volunteer to do so when one quit.  Had to give that up and they weren't happy with me, but it was supposed to be a short term thing that lasted almost a year.  So now they are paying someone to do the books. 

In the past (before DD) I've volunteered at a hospital, nursing home, animal shelter, for JA, and Big Sisters. 

DH and I usually do one or two days a year with Habitat for Humanity.

DH is getting pretty involved in local politics as we are discovering a lot of questionable stuff.  We'll see how that turns out.

[MJ2.0]

The Captain, you reminded me that I've been meaning to volunteer with HFH for years and have never done it. I just signed up to help on a build on June 10th.

[luckyme]

We mainly help out with friends, family, and neighbors.  Cutting grass, rides to Dr appointments, watching their pets, whatever, they may require.

Financially, we support a large number of charities.  I, personally, support the animal shelter and the Lyons club, which passes out flowers in nursing homes, groceries for families that are w/o income due to job loss, that sort of thing. 

DH contributes to far more, mainly for children.  I do wish he would look into them more to see how much money is actually going to the charity, but he never has. 

They aren't large contributions, but there is so much need out there, we just try to offset some of it. 

I have spent most of my time helping out at school for my kids and their classmates.  PTA, club officer, chaperone, driver,  event coordinator.  Living in an area w/ large numbers of low income kids, there is always a need for assistants and few who volunteer.  To be honest, I am at the point where I am done with it.  Too much work, and no help. 

I know of people who are truly giving of their time and money, and I am in awe of them.  I prefer things on a smaller scale.  Doesn't have as much impact, but I like to think it does help.