Why Can’t This Happen?

      

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff I dislike getting solicitation mail and phone calls from charitable organizations; at one point, I looked forward to receiving them. I still donate- and get bombarded weekly by this unwanted material. It seems I am on multiple call and mailing lists. It has taken me time to sort my feelings out about this. Basically I find it annoying, opening and quickly scanning all this ‘junk mail’- I am not going to donate to all these organizations - and it is time consuming, picking up the mail, opening the envelopes and keeping money/change, writing pads and address labels- these are useful. Then, throwing all this paper out in the kitchen, and later walking it with the other trash to the curb. This is more waste and we have to pay to get our trash picked-up. Stopping mail delivery of unsolicited material has not been an option. I have called my local Post Master several times and spoken to my Mail Carrier about this. I ask myself- why not? Then realize- there is too much money involved with this mail delivery. Recently, I arrived at another conclusion: I wonder with all the bombs being dropped and billionaires- why can’t some of this money be diverted to help worthwhile and struggling charities. Also, I learned that some CEO’s of large national charities make upwards of a million dollars a year. OK. You see where I am going with this. In my mind- on one level, all of this paper/energy being pushed to obtain donations is a symptom of a society- that has some of its values backward. All people have a basic right to food, shelter, education and medical care/treatment. This should be part of the government’s job, and citizens must take responsibility to assure their government works to do this. While it is good that there are many private organizations trying to help people and animals, on another level, it just shows me how far we have to go as humans in making this planet a kinder, humane place to live. Now, I just get sad, receiving all this- help me please mail- when there is so much wealth in the world and much is going to the wrong places. Look, I am not advocating that no bombs be made (that is a different discussion), or that people don’t get very wealthy, or paid a good wage in charitable organizations, what I am suggesting is that some resources be redistributed and allocated so that people do not go hungry, have a healthy place to live, get good medical care and receive an education. These are basic human rights and private citizens, charities and governments must work together to achieve this essential goal. Unfortunately, in our world, many of our neighbors and animals are still suffering and dying needlessly. Remember, there is enough wealth out there to change all this. Please- together- let’s make this happen.   -SB *     *     *