NationStates Jolt Archive

In response to the other moral question, relating to sacrifice in order to save lives… I though, why not make the question less hypothetical. How about a “minor” sacrifice to save the lives of other?

Well you can even start today, so…

Why would you?
Why wouldn’t you?
:D

Edit jolt robbed me of the poll… *sigh* So here it is :rolleyes:

Would you give half of your income to save the lives of strangers?

1. Yes I do give at least half my income to save others
2. Yes I would… (but currently still holding on to major part of my income nonetheless)
3. Yes I would (have no income)
4. No, I’d rather give my life
5. No way!
6. Pancreas with syrup…yummy…

In response to the other moral question, relating to sacrifice in order to save lives… I though, why not make the question less hypothetical. How about a “minor” sacrifice to save the lives of other?

Well you can even start today, so…

Why would you?
Why wouldn’t you?
:D

In case you mean through taxes, of course. The money taken saves others and saves you in case you need it.

My home (and the homes of several members of my church) serve as temporary homes (for six months to a year) for battered women.

They live rent-free and eat meals with us without paying (and we shelter their children) while they get their lives back together.

I tend to help relatives and friends first - we took in my sister-in-laws children because she and her husband became heroin/meth addicts.

My wife says that I collect people at the end of their life's rope the way that some people collect cats.

I don't get any feeling of moral superiority out of it though. I just have a hard time saying no to people who are in that much trouble (especially if there are children involved).

No; I work hard to earn that money, and I'm not giving it up. I'll leave it to bleeding-heart liberals to throw away the fruits of their labor (or, perhaps more realistically, the welfare payments they receive in exchange for nothing).

I give about half my income now to help people, and about 18% of hubby's.

I don't have a problem with it, we live just fine without it. Sometimes I want things like cable or to go to the movies, but then I remember that the people we are helping are happy to have food.....so then I feel like a bitch.

I don't make enough money to do that right now, so no. When you're in debt up to your eyeballs, it's kind of hard to give, give, give...

I work for the NHS, so in a sense I get paid for helping save (or at least help) the lives of others ;)

I give about half my income now to help people, and about 18% of hubby's.

I don't have a problem with it, we live just fine without it. Sometimes I want things like cable or to go to the movies, but then I remember that the people we are helping are happy to have food.....so then I feel like a bitch.

Yeah! I don't have cable but I get Conan and the Simpsons and it's all I need!

Although... Mythbusters would be nice. :(

My home (and the homes of several members of my church) serve as temporary homes (for six months to a year) for battered women.

They live rent-free and eat meals with us without paying (and we shelter their children) while they get their lives back together.

I tend to help relatives and friends first - we took in my sister-in-laws children because she and her husband became heroin/meth addicts.

My wife says that I collect people at the end of their life's rope the way that some people collect cats.

I don't get any feeling of moral superiority out of it though. I just have a hard time saying no to people who are in that much trouble (especially if there are children involved).
He means "No."

Yeah! I don't have cable but I get Conan and the Simpsons and it's all I need!

Although... Mythbusters would be nice. :(

and Star Trek *cries*

He means "No."

Maybe you should come to my house.

That's my money. I worked for it, they didn't. They get nothing from me.

What good would half of jack squat do anyone?

If I was insanly rich I would do a 'Gates' yep, but I aint, so I don't.

and Star Trek *cries*

Wait... didn't you buy like every Star Trek episode after you got a tax rebate or something?

I do.

*is now confused*

Wait... didn't you buy like every Star Trek episode after you got a tax rebate or something?

I did.

I did.

..

*head explodes*

.. where are they, now?

..

*head explodes*

.. where are they, now?

I have them. It's just........it's fun watching it on T.V. and not knowing what episode is going to come on.

I have them. It's just........it's fun watching it on T.V. and not knowing what episode is going to come on.

DVD players should have shuffle modes.

DVD players should have shuffle modes.

:eek: *looks for button*

It depends on how.

If it's about running a shelter, then I just don't feel like it. I don't think particularly well of welfare leeching, and wouldn't go out of my way to help it.

In a more practical situation, possibly. For instance, if, working on a ship, I faced a choice to ignore a critical flaw with likely catastrophic results, versus violating instructions and having it fixed at the cost of failing the deadline and losing half the income, I would clearly choose the latter.

yes, and through taxes it can be aggregated to form some kind of.... National..... Health..... Service. ooh what a great idea!

when its put as "giving money to strangers" it doesn't sound so appealing. but when its a nationalised system for the provision of healthcare, free at the point of consumption, then it sounds all good again :)


what's this about star trek??

DVD players should have shuffle modes.

Only work if they store dozens or hundreds of shows worth of data.

:eek: *looks for button*

Oh, no, ignore my tired mind! That was supposed to be a suggestion to DVD player makers. I had to do a double take to see what I typed.. :eek:

Only work if they store dozens or hundreds of shows worth of data.

Do DVRs have a shuffle mode?

Also, to be on topic: I buy scratch off tickets. That money I spent goes to the elderly. Or something. Is that.. kinda.. like.. greedy charity?

what's this about star trek??

I think you should treat Glitz to a Star Trek marathon since she did so well on that test. ;)

6. Pancreas with syrup…yummy…

How about kidneys with syrup?

Not if I want to do boring things like eat and have a job and suchlike, no, because my bills are more than half of my income.

Not that I would anyway, but that wasn't the question :p

I don't have an income. And besides, the government would take about half my income and spend some of it on welfare, anyway.

6. Pancreas with syrup…yummy…

Pancreas?! That's absurd! I eat kidneys with my syrup!

Well, considering that half of my income probably wouldn't save very many people's lives, and that reducing my income in half would send my family out into the streets where they risk dying, I would have to say no.

I'd think about it after I made my first couple million. Once you're that far, you can build your wealth pretty damn easily and it leaves a lot for charity.

I think you should treat Glitz to a Star Trek marathon since she did so well on that test. ;)

sounds good to me :D

i'll assimilate her borg cube reeeeeeeeeeal good ;)

In response to the other moral question, relating to sacrifice in order to save lives… I though, why not make the question less hypothetical. How about a “minor” sacrifice to save the lives of other?

Well you can even start today, so…

Why would you?
Why wouldn’t you?
:D

Edit jolt robbed me of the poll… *sigh* So here it is :rolleyes:

Would you give half of your income to save the lives of strangers?

1. Yes I do give at least half my income to save others
2. Yes I would… (but currently still holding on to major part of my income nonetheless)
3. Yes I would (have no income)
4. No, I’d rather give my life
5. No way!
6. Pancreas with syrup…yummy…

Depends on how you mean giving up half my income. If you mean through taxes, then fuck no.

If you mean through private charities...probably not. I don't think I'd give up half my income...maybe a quarter. Besides, I'd rather use my income to help people I know, such as my friends and my family, rather strangers.

I guess my reply would be "depends" -

- half of my income is already taken in taxes and other payroll deductions, so no, I wouldn't give half of my gross income.

- my personal expenses take up about half of my net income, so no, I wouldn't give up half of my net income.

- I would gladly give up half of my disposable income...

Well, if I made more than what I had to pay out in bills, I most certainly would.

Well, if I made more than what I had to pay out in bills, I most certainly would.

nobody makes more than they spend without serious budgeting

Absolutely not because I already spend considerably more than half of my income taking care of people I love - my wife and children and soon my parents. If anyone I care about needs money I offer - I give a small amount to local charity. Pretty much whatever is left is taken by the government and wasted (http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer). I give blood regularly (actually platelets) and I am studying hard for a class I need to do some licensed volunteer work. I give plenty. I feel no guilt for spending what I do on luxuries. There are ample opportunities for the poor with education, healthcare and living expenses. All they need is the ambition to take it and run with it - and ambition is not something which cannot be donated or received.

My home (and the homes of several members of my church) serve as temporary homes (for six months to a year) for battered women.

They live rent-free and eat meals with us without paying (and we shelter their children) while they get their lives back together.

I tend to help relatives and friends first - we took in my sister-in-laws children because she and her husband became heroin/meth addicts.

My wife says that I collect people at the end of their life's rope the way that some people collect cats.

I don't get any feeling of moral superiority out of it though. I just have a hard time saying no to people who are in that much trouble (especially if there are children involved).

If this is true (which is certainly debatable) then RO is probably a better person than 9/10 NSGers.

Something to consider.

no i wouldnt.

no damnit. I like my salary.

if i gave up half my current income i'd be starving and/or homeless myself, so probably not.

In response to the other moral question, relating to sacrifice in order to save lives… I though, why not make the question less hypothetical. How about a “minor” sacrifice to save the lives of other?

Well you can even start today, so…

Why would you?
Why wouldn’t you?
:D

Edit jolt robbed me of the poll… *sigh* So here it is :rolleyes:

Would you give half of your income to save the lives of strangers?

1. Yes I do give at least half my income to save others
2. Yes I would… (but currently still holding on to major part of my income nonetheless)
3. Yes I would (have no income)
4. No, I’d rather give my life
5. No way!
6. Pancreas with syrup…yummy…

If I could afford to, yes. However, on my income, as a student, working a part time job that barely pays the bills, I haven't the income to afford to do so.

However, I do tend to give what I can. For instance, I do give a portion(Very small portion-like I said, I barely pay the bills as is) to United Way from each check(Weekly, it's 2.50, I think, which comes to about $125-ish a year, which is really as much as I can afford right about now.)

Also, when fundraisers for various things come up, I tend to give what I can(For instance, I tend to give $20 ever year to the Cancer Research center fund raiser that a Radio Station holds every year-not much, but like I said, I'm not exactly making much).

So, yes, if I could, I would.

If I had more money, maybe. If I gave away half my current income, I wouldn't be able to eat.

I currently have no income aside from what I get from tutoring people, which isn't on any sort of regular basis. So I don't know what I would do if I had an income.

If I could afford to, yes. However, on my income, as a student, working a part time job that barely pays the bills, I haven't the income to afford to do so.

However, I do tend to give what I can. For instance, I do give a portion(Very small portion-like I said, I barely pay the bills as is) to United Way from each check(Weekly, it's 2.50, I think, which comes to about $125-ish a year, which is really as much as I can afford right about now.)

Also, when fundraisers for various things come up, I tend to give what I can(For instance, I tend to give $20 ever year to the Cancer Research center fund raiser that a Radio Station holds every year-not much, but like I said, I'm not exactly making much).

So, yes, if I could, I would.

If I can be so bold - when I was a teenager I gave time - because I had no money. As a college student I had no time or money - so I gave blood.

Today I have no time but I have money - but I still also give blood.

Please consider giving blood if you can. There is a huge need - and money cannot buy it (http://www.floridasbloodcenters.org/). For those who receive it the reward is far greater than money - it is life (http://www.bloodcenters.org/aboutblood/bloodfacts.htm).

If I can be so bold - when I was a teenager I gave time - because I had no money. As a college student I had no time or money - so I gave blood.

Today I have no time but I have money - but I still also give blood.

Please consider giving blood if you can. There is a huge need - and money cannot buy it (http://www.floridasbloodcenters.org/). For those who receive it the reward is far greater than money - it is life (http://www.bloodcenters.org/aboutblood/bloodfacts.htm).

Ooh, you only have to weigh 102 pounds to donate blood?! The people at my school told me it was 110 pounds, so I wasn't able to try. Then again I would have needed parental permission since I'm 17...

I volunteer, though, by tutoring elementary school students three hours a week (during the school year, not now) and taking part in highway clean-ups perhaps twice a year.

Pancreas. With syrup. Preferably made from the tanned hides of llamas.

I'm already putting aside a portion of my weekly pay for charity. I don't really earn enough for half my income to make much difference to anyone's life at the moment though.

Pancreas with syrup. Preferably with the toasted transverse colon.

Depends on my income; if my income's so big that I can't spend them all wisely anyway, I think it'll be high time to donate the excess.

In response to the other moral question, relating to sacrifice in order to save lives… I though, why not make the question less hypothetical. How about a “minor” sacrifice to save the lives of other?

Hell, I'm already surrendering about 30 percent of my income to help others...I think I'd like to have it be my choice. We tithe at 10 percent and I think that's reasonable.

Through taxes I almost already do, so - much to my surprise - I have to answer; "NO! Die! You won't get any more of my money!".

I'm very surprised by my answer. Good question.

After reviewing my answer, I'd still answer NO. Man, I'm such a bastard!

Since I'm on disability, I couldn't possibly feed me and my critters on half what I get now. Since I generally like critters better than people I'll just keep feeding the critters. I do give a small amount each month to various charities and non-profits. Mostly those that have to do with animal welfare and the enviroment. I also give to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, since I like crazy people. Oh alright. Since I am one. And to the evil ACLU. I like them, they piss off conservatives.

But half my income? Shit, that give me a bit over $350.00 a month. Not happening.

Edit; I do donate blood as frequently as they let me. They call me up if it's been awhile. Seems as B- is in high demand.

If I can be so bold - when I was a teenager I gave time - because I had no money. As a college student I had no time or money - so I gave blood.

Today I have no time but I have money - but I still also give blood.

Please consider giving blood if you can. There is a huge need - and money cannot buy it (http://www.floridasbloodcenters.org/). For those who receive it the reward is far greater than money - it is life (http://www.bloodcenters.org/aboutblood/bloodfacts.htm).

Already do when I can find the time.

I work for the NHS, so in a sense I get paid for helping save (or at least help) the lives of others ;)

You owe me money. A fuck of lot of my taxes fund your inefficiency.

In any case, surely taxation is simply state run altruism of this form? Not that I agree with 40% either, which might as well lead me to an answer; NO.

I would.

If I ever got my damn paycheck the answer might be different.

I would (and have if you count charity donations), although seeing as my income is currently a big fat £0 I doubt it would do them much good :p

I choose option 5.
Taxation is theft, no matter who the loot goes to.

I'm already putting aside a portion of my weekly pay for charity. I don't really earn enough for half my income to make much difference to anyone's life at the moment though.
Ah, but that's voluntary. No one sends men with guns to steal your stuff if you decide to "de-volunteer".
The IRS says the Federal Income Tax is "voluntary", but guess what eventually happens if you decide not to file? :mp5:

Ah, but that's voluntary. No one sends men with guns to steal your stuff if you decide to "de-volunteer".
The IRS says the Federal Income Tax is "voluntary", but guess what eventually happens if you decide not to file? :mp5:
http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/circle/images/tangent_to_circle/identify-tangent/tangent-id_2gry.jpg