Forget "carbon footprint", what is your "social footprint"? (holidays, healthcare)
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Used to work ( Archaeologist/Anthropologist), no longer work due to long term illness and health problems. The only person I have ever "leeched" off is my Husband as he "keeps" me though I would say I work as I cook, clean, organise our vacation, deal with our finances, organise our social life etc... It's bloody hard work especially when you have Chronic Depression and Chronic Fatigue and suffered over 10 years of Leukaemia. I am also disabled but claim no social benefits even though I am entitled to it because I feel the government can use that money for people who are more financially disadvantaged. Hubby earns enough to keep us in comfortable style and I am perfectly happy to pay higher taxes so that people worse off than me can benefit from it. I do not see poverty as a crime or a sign of laziness. If my high taxes mean everyone including homeless people get free healthcare or social rights then I am more than happy to contribute .
I volunteer for a lot of National and Local Charities and have done so since I was 13. I also donate money as well as time. And am politically extremely active.
And I am a bleeding heart liberal/socialist/pinko according to some C-D posters and proud of it.
Sounds more like you're talking about financial footprint. I think everyone leaves a social footprint. Every time you meet someone, form a friendship, relationship, break up, even work together, you affect someone else's life in some way or another. In that way we all leave our footprint.
I worked for 6 years and paid taxes for 3. I am looking hard for a job so I can work again because I really would like to work again and make a difference. It's just not very easy to get a job deaf-blind with severe chronic pain, a HS diploma, and a crappy economy, but I'm determined to give and not just take. I would like to contribute something to the field of linguistics and also get a degree in acupuncture so I can help people realize their body's own healing powers. In the meantime I am getting a check but this isn't my life plan because I hate, hate, hate the idea of living off other people's tax dollars. It's a stepping stone so I can get to a point where I'm paying taxes.
Used to work ( Archaeologist/Anthropologist), no longer work due to long term illness and health problems. The only person I have ever "leeched" off is my Husband as he "keeps" me though I would say I work as I cook, clean, organise our vacation, deal with our finances, organise our social life etc... It's bloody hard work especially when you have Chronic Depression and Chronic Fatigue and suffered over 10 years of Leukaemia. I am also disabled but claim no social benefits even though I am entitled to it because I feel the government can use that money for people who are more financially disadvantaged. Hubby earns enough to keep us in comfortable style and I am perfectly happy to pay higher taxes so that people worse off than me can benefit from it. I do not see poverty as a crime or a sign of laziness. If my high taxes mean everyone including homeless people get free healthcare or social rights then I am more than happy to contribute .
I volunteer for a lot of National and Local Charities and have done so since I was 13. I also donate money as well as time. And am politically extremely active.
And I am a bleeding heart liberal/socialist/pinko according to some C-D posters and proud of it.
I would hope my social footprint would be to be a person who has enough compassion on those who due to no fault of their own have to rely on financial assistance until I never consider them a leech on my tax dollars. Things are shaky and any of us could find ourselves on either end of the giving or needing to take deal.
I would hope my social footprint would be to be a person who has enough compassion on those who due to no fault of their own have to rely on financial assistance until I never consider them a leech on my tax dollars. Things are shaky and any of us could find ourselves on either end of the giving or needing to take deal.
Totally agree
Most people are closer than they realize to being the one "in need". I consider myself and my family extremely blessed to be able to support ourselves and happily give a bit to those who truly need it. (Obviously there are people who take advantage, but I'm not referencing them here)
I’ve worked more then forty-five years, paid my taxes and paid social security payments. I’ve given to and continue to donate to charities local and national. I’ve served in the military and gave of myself for my country, I’ve paid my all my debts. I’ve volunteered for and do community service in the area. I’m active with the neighborhood association in helping with the area needs. Painting, repairing and maintaining the common areas seem to require most of the attention, also volunteer work helping the local police and the area block-watch. I attend monthly city district council meetings. In years past Mrs Aks & I have worked closely with different city department heads in an effort to help resolve area issues and problems. This is an ongoing effort from time to time and never totally resolved.
Mrs Aks and I have adopted a hard working low income single mother with three children, helping them meet their needs and deal with their issues. Car repairs are a big problem for her with the old vehicle that she has, however it’s all she has and it’s needed for transportation, without it she can’t work that day. She is an outstanding mother who monitors the kids, helps them and they’re never in trouble at school or with the community. All three have excelled in education and are on the honor role. We are her and her families safety net and we’re happy to be there for her.
I believe you get back from society what you put into it. It’s easy to find fault and complain, however it’s best when you get active and “help” to fix problems and issues. Are you part of the problem or part of the solution, lead follow or get out of the way. People in all areas need all types of assistance, not everyone can help themselves and thus it’s nice when there is a helping hand being held out to them.
Like Mooseketeer stated in her post, “I’m also a bleeding heart liberal/socialist/pinko” and I’m a progressive wanting to move forward and not back, staying positive, helping not harming, and making someone else’s life a little better if only for the day.
I want to be there to help those that I can, that's what life is all about in the end ~ isn't it?
Are you a working, taxpaying member of society or a leech?
Do you work, do you donate to charity?
Or do you sit on your butt waiting for a check?
1. I am a freelance writer, waiting for my husband's restaurant to open so I can start managing it. I have worked since the age of 14 and the only time I've taken off is to go to college (I took maybe 6 months off, here and there) and to take care of a sick family member who was living with us for a few months while I was in school.
2. I tithe weekly and also donate to animal-related charities. I make clothing and toy donations to the homeless and less fortunate during the holidays. Since I will be in a position to sponsor businesses through my job coming up, I plan to make full use of that and be a good corporate citizen. I used to volunteer at a visitation center where parents could visit with their kids after the kids were removed by DCF.
3. I sit on my butt all day doing writing or marketing stuff, but unless my family wants to send me a birthday check or something, I don't expect a check to come in the mail at all. When not sitting on my butt working, I sit on my butt typing on CD or FB. Other than that, I'm out doing errands, cleaning, taking care of my animals, cooking and otherwise taking care of the house and my family.
So do we want a small social footprint (like it would be with a carbon footprint) or a big social footprint (like we're contributing a lot to society)?
Most people are closer than they realize to being the one "in need". I consider myself and my family extremely blessed to be able to support ourselves and happily give a bit to those who truly need it. (Obviously there are people who take advantage, but I'm not referencing them here)
I'm in the same boat as you.
I've learned to donate ITEMS rather than cash.
Food, clothes, etc. in hopes they get to the people I want to help rather than fatten up some administrative flunky at a desk with money.
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