Just got a Facebook invite to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for a guy with cancer.

[Bucky]

Let's just stop and this about this for a second. He's employed full time. He lives in the land of the free and the home of the brave. But to pay for life saving treatment, his church has to hold a spaghetti fundraiser. "Come eat Troy back to life." (Troy's not his real name). I'll buy a plate, though I don't know the guy and don't think I'll be in town on the day they're serving it anyway--the invite came from a fairly distant friend who happens to do a lot of piecemeal charity work online. I respect the cause, but I loath the cause of the cause.

Culture of life, my ass.

[HopeHoops]

1. And just how much of the fee goes to his medical bills as opposed to the church?

[Curmudgeoness]

4. At least the ones I know about

are 100% volunteer. People donate to buy the materials, or find businesses to donate for it. The people who do the cooking and serving donate their time. I have not been involved in any fundraisers like this that have had much money going out for expenses. Often, the church or hall will donate the space too.

[hunter]

2. In civilized nations the wealthiest one percenters don't beat you up and take all your stuff...

... when you suffer a bad accident or major illness.

The U.S.A. is not a civilized nation.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. In my area, this is common.

Every time I hear that no one in this country will not be treated if they need health care, I throw this at them. Why are there so many spaghetti dinners or silent auctions to get a kid with cancer treatment or a person heart surgery? Damn it.

[trof]

5. Only in America...

[limpyhobbler]

6. yup.

Thank goodness for the kindness of the community, but what if he didn't even have that. Time to join the civilized world and get healthcare for all our people.