The case against charity
Last night, I tried to do the good thing. I am not blind to the plight of the homeless, but I am *very* hesitant to help without thinking. I decided to do a smart good deed. I was accosted by a panhandler on my way to work. He wanted money to eat. I offered to feed him. To his credit, he wasn't stupid; I was ready to walk away but he finally agreed to let me help him by *buying* him food. I didn't even insist he come with me after he complained about his brittle old man knee. I went up to Subway and bought him a sandwich (double what he asked for, for more than one meal) and brought it back. All well and good, until he asked me for 50 cents for something to drink. I told him *again* that i didn't have any change, and then I said 'You're welcome' and then I went to work. I'm *trying* to be more optimistic about humanity, not less. It *has* taught me to be just a little bit more cynical.