You are all correct. God help you if you make the mistake of donating anywhere, anytime for any reason.

Computers have created an "out of control" world for greedy charities. The California PAL has a rating of about 28% for efficiency. I think that means 28% of the donated money really gets to the "kids". Frankly, to hell with them.

We tithe at our church and my wife says that is probably wrong.

When Jesus said (paraphrasing here, my memory is so bad I can't even remember what I talked about an hour ago unless you remind me) "Render until Caesar what is Caesar's" or something like that. I interpret that to say, the government is entitled to its share. You are welcome to say it better than I. My wife said the government in 30A.D. did not take care of the people like the gov't does today. Therefore, why donate 10% to the church? If Jesus were alive today, he might say to give 3% to the church because of the government give-away programs. We still give approximately 10% to a couple of churches.

My fury is how invasive these monsters are. I don't give to any charity except these churches. Used to we could put up a "No Solicitation" sign on your front door and usually not be bothered. How do we do that for our phones?

Some of these charities simply call every number in the area code with a computer (so I am told) and if you answer, the computer hangs up. They KNOW when you are home now.
VERY, VERY, VERY RUDE. This is what set me off last night.

IF A PERSON IS DISABLED, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANY CHARITY TO CALL THEM.

Making matters worse for us is the idiots in Sacramento, CA have our house in two districts for congress. So dan lungren and Doolittle's people would call. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
and the democrats started calling because they figured out I am a registered republican, but I DO vote for some democrats. If I were a registered independent, I guess even Al Gore would call me.

Yeah, I am venting, but it is an honest frustration.

Didn't the phone companies offer a deal where you can have a special number or symbol people would have to use in your phone number, otherwise the call did not go through?
It (of course) costs us money. Any of you know about that? Did it work?