Most recent example: I was asked to participate/lead our team’s Movember campaign at my company.
How I politely declined: oh sorry, I’m a bit too busy with my personal life and work projects this year.
My unpopular opinion I couldn’t say: it doesn’t align with my values.
Movember raises money and promotes awareness of Men’s health. Nothing wrong with the organisation themselves, but frankly I think the paltry couple of thousand of dollars our (pretty large) company manages to raise each year is a waste of time.
If we taxed corporations a fraction of a percent more on corporate profits we would bring is orders of magnitude more money than individuals asking others, out of the kindness of the hearts, for money.
Health research shouldn’t have to beg for money, the government should just fund it with tax dollars. Taxes that you don’t get to choose to pay. Other than by voting.
I hate fun runs, and do subtly judge those who participate in them, especially because (I think) they skew towards wealthier people, and it’s their way of making themselves feel good for raising money for cancer or whatever, and then turn around and vote for tax cuts, and use accountants to make their tax liability as low as possible - something poorer people can’t afford.
I used to give money to charity when I was younger. But I honestly think it’s silly now, and it ought not have to exist.
(Mods, this is politics adjacent, but I feel is general enough to be compliant, since I’d say most people view charity organisations mostly favourably)
Counterpoint: I think it’s a beautiful thing when people voluntarily give money to help others. Something is lost when we outsource all our charitable activity to the government.
Even more is lost when we “outsource” societal relief to private individuals and organizations.
Wide ranging cultural ills will never be resolved by charity or how much people donate to causes like this, and they require large scale intervention and regulations to actually make improvements, not relying on people to do it out of the kindness of their hearts.
Been looking for a Ralph Nader Radio Hour episode I once heard for years now where they lay out how absolutely dwarfed global need is by global charity. For me it was stunningly eye opening. I suppose it was basically a billions vs trillions thing.
Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas is famous for similarly detailing how philanthropy among the uber rich is in many ways doing more harm than good.
I should clarify, that I’m specifically talking about charity events/organisations to raise money for something that really ought to be publicly funded, or perform work that ought to be provided by the government.
I donate blood, I think people getting together to help others is fantastic, and of course not every bit of community support needs to be provided by the government.
But I think things like healthcare, homelessness, research etc shouldn’t need to beg for money. It should be taken out of people’s taxes