I totally understand where you are coming from.

I don’t think that it is the intention of the people from the 50000 shoes initiative to have people put the $5 or whatever sum it may be on a credit card, to go into debt to give to those who have need. In the US, most of us have ATM/debit cards that take money directly out of our bank accounts that have Visa or MasterCard logos on them.

Perhaps they should’ve set up a Paypal account or something like that for the transactions…

My problem with the bailout is exactly what you said. They want money to meet immediate needs, but there is little to no indication that they’ve planned for the future. They’ve been milking the current market to death and not looking forward. That is why other countries’ cars are kicking American cars’ butts. The only reason I drive an American car is because it was relatively inexpensive. I had doubts about my purchse when, within six months, I had to get the blower on my heater replaced

Thanks for the comments on my blog. It’s great to be making friends with someone on the other side of the world!

~D

I thought good business sense was having a vision of where the market was going, adjusting sales and products according to those trends, and waiting for the people to respond and watch the long term profit come in.

What these auto-motive companies are doing is milking short term markets for all they’re worth. But there seems to be little plan for the future. If they get bailed out, they going to be in the same situation in 15 years time if they don’t adjust their market sense.

Also… I’ve been thinking…

Ok, I’m not American, and I don’t know the American people apart from what I read in the media and see on TV. And I understand this Blog is directed at Americans. So, here’s my dilemma…

The current campaign to raise 50 000 shoes in 50 days is an incredible feat. One that I admire. But I can’t help but notice one needs to make a donation using their credit card.

I have noticed that there a thousands of campaigns such as these where donors can donate using their credit cards, albeit a small donation.

But my problem is this… The people that are donating in one campaign, have probably donated to numerous other campaigns too, and what is left is probably a hefty hole each month on the card’s statement. What if these people don’t pay off their cards timeously? Because I am sure there are more drains on the card than just donations.

So if there are thousands of people all doing the same thing, and neglecting repayments, then technically these foundations are receiving borrowed money that isn’t getting paid back quick enough to the banks and the banks are under pressure.

OK, I know I’ve gone on here, and probably haven’t made much sense, but I am trying to work this out. I know that the American people are incredibly generous. We only have to look at Katrina, and the Tsunami in Asia etc. to see that. But what if this generosity isn’t coming from a stable source? Surely debts should be faithfully dealt with before we come to the aid of others?

Or maybe there should be a great cost to giving? At the moment it is so easy.

OK, I know I’m digging myself in a hole here… But do you hear what I’m saying?

Gee!!

Sorry for all that!

That is a FANTASTIC idea!

~D