PT Barnum was right.

There is a sucker born every minute and its me.

A little backstory first. I embrace technology, I really do. I have an mp3 player, dvd, a computer and even a cell phone. What I don't have is all the gadgets that go along with a phone. I don't have text messaging, call waiting, call forwarding none of that. I think having a cell phone can be helpful and I really only use it on rare occasions because that is what I am used to. Recent college grads I work with, this is all they have. No more phone calls to the house where mom or dad might pick up..but that is not where I am going here.

At home we don't have caller ID. It seems like an expensive silly option that the answering machine can cover. While I am at it..i can't stand Call Waiting either. Nothing gives you more of a "YEAH FUCK YOU" when you hear "Can you hold on I got another call". Piss off..call me when you are done.

So, I use the answering machine as my "screener". The phone rings and most of the time I am standing right next to the phone and if I know who it is, SURPRISE, I pick up. 9 times out of 10 its a hang up (ie telemarketer).

Last night the phone did its ring, got the machine and then no message. About 2 minutes later it does it again, then again. Now the third time I think I should bite the bullet and just pick it up cuz my mom and dad could be in a ditch. I like to think I am popular but I can face the music too.

Sure enough when I pick up its my local police department looking for money. (Finally getting to what I wanted to talk about).
So Mr.Police man starts to tell me how they need money and all the money goes to the town etc. Now I do donate money, granted not as much as I'd like at times, but 25.00 here, 20 there I can do on occasion. How can I NOT donate to the police? I live in fear they sit with the map of the town and put and X over the names that do not donate and then drag their feet when a 911 call comes. (I know I am being silly so any police that are reading I know you'd not do that). It is the same fear that I have when I get teenagers trick or treating. Part of me wants to give them a piece of my mind while the other half of me stands there and just gives fistfulls so the bastards won't egg my house.

I understand the need to raise money, heck I need money too. Last fall was the breaking point. I had one organization call and ask me for some money. I decided that this time I just couldn't do it, even 10.00. I didn't want to be mean, but we had given a few hundred (yes HUNDRED) to the Hurricane Relief and the holidays were coming. Again, I realize they need to make money somewhere but the person got out and out rude. Here was out it ran out (lets join where it gets good)

organization - Can you donate our 150.00 amount?
March - Umm no.
Org - Okay that is a lot....how about 100.
M - nope
Org - can you help us at all today?
M - this time i can't. As you noted I have donated to you 4 other times this year
Org - Well Mr.March we do appreciate those donations but we need the donations now.
M - well I'd love to help as as you noted I have been counted on in the past but we donated some money to the hurricane relief a few weeks back.
Org - oh..well this organization really needs your help.
M - I understand, but I just don't have the money
Org - Nothing huh?
M - no, like I said the next time I can help.
Org - these people REALLY need your help Mr. March
M - (finally pissed). I understand your need to raise money but when I say no I mean no. I have donated in the past, I was planning to in the future, but you being so aggressive and angry about me NOT donating has put a very bad taste in my mouth regarding your organization. I realize you have a job to do but when I politely tell you that I can not, at this time, help you please drop it, or take me off your calling list of donators.

So, out of the 20000 times I have been asked for $$ I say nicely that I can't help "RIGHT NOW" one time and I feel like I am going to hell.