Westerose Canada
Member #52,913
June 15, 2007
189 Posts
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First off since playing the Lottery is basically a game of greed which I do play... I am not going to try to justify my wanting to win the lottery by saying I am going to donate to charities.... when I do win the lottery I am not going to try to justify my right to win the lottery by donating to charities.
Helping out close family that is a given. Doing things that I have wanted to do that I feel will make the world a better place that is a given. However upon winning the lottery I am not going to suddenly become someone who gives to charities simply because I think most charities are a load of bunk. Most charities are nothing more than perpetual fundraisers.
People that make all these promises in regards to lottery winnings being donated to charities either before they have won or when they have won are laughable in my opinion. It's a game of greed. We buy our tickets hoping that we will win over the next guys. Be honest with yourselves on that fact.
Otherwise you would give what you spend on the lottery to those charities you claim you want to help if you do win.
Remember: Good Ole' Jack gave 40Million to Build Churches and look where that got him.
Westerose Canada
Member #52,913
June 15, 2007
189 Posts
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Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 12, 2007
I've often written that, but after watching several shows on Animal Planet, I realize it takes a lot more money and effort than most of us imagine. Has anyone here ever been to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo?
Also, there are already a lot of kind people doing this on a smaller scale, like taking in stray cats and dogs. Maybe even people you know. That can also get way out of control. One of my dreams about winning the lottery includes buying horses they use for breeding to make a profit. The mares cry and kick when their babies are torn away from them and they mourn for a long time. It's cruel. (But I admit I don't have the strength or the energy.)
Although we wouldn't be billionaires, I remember an interview with J. Paul Getty Jr where he said he has his secretary take care of the philanthropies and he won't answer letters from people asking for money. His comment was (this was to Barbara Walters I believe) "I can't play God." It's just a line I remember, because he's right. Even a billionaire needs to know when to say no and be organized about it. Bill & Melissa Gates give quite a lot, more than any other foundation in the world AFAIK. But I doubt if they send money to Mrs. Jones who needs money to pay the rent or Mr. Smith who needs a kidney transplant. When you are very wealthy, you need to set boundaries too.
All things you can do without winning the lottery. Take it from someone who has and does. :)
Michigan United States
Member #44,051
July 29, 2006
182 Posts
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I believe in paying it forward and random acts of kindness, I practice this in my life. I would donate money to various charites, buy a old farm house with lots of land so I can take in more cats thaen I have now, (13). I bring in feral cats and have them spayed or netuered. I would also open up a animal shelter for all animals because I believe putting an animal to sleep should be a last resort. Animals are are teachers in life, we just don't take time to listen. They love us unconditionally and only want to be loved in return. I would also tear down abandoned houses and make community gardens and play grounds. I could go on and on but I think everyone know what I mean
United States
Member #14
November 9, 2001
31,614 Posts
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Quote: Originally posted by chessie60 on Jun 15, 2007
I believe in paying it forward and random acts of kindness, I practice this in my life. I would donate money to various charites, buy a old farm house with lots of land so I can take in more cats thaen I have now, (13). I bring in feral cats and have them spayed or netuered. I would also open up a animal shelter for all animals because I believe putting an animal to sleep should be a last resort. Animals are are teachers in life, we just don't take time to listen. They love us unconditionally and only want to be loved in return. I would also tear down abandoned houses and make community gardens and play grounds. I could go on and on but I think everyone know what I mean
Westerose Canada
Member #52,913
June 15, 2007
189 Posts
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Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 12, 2007
I've often written that, but after watching several shows on Animal Planet, I realize it takes a lot more money and effort than most of us imagine. Has anyone here ever been to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo?
Also, there are already a lot of kind people doing this on a smaller scale, like taking in stray cats and dogs. Maybe even people you know. That can also get way out of control. One of my dreams about winning the lottery includes buying horses they use for breeding to make a profit. The mares cry and kick when their babies are torn away from them and they mourn for a long time. It's cruel. (But I admit I don't have the strength or the energy.)
Although we wouldn't be billionaires, I remember an interview with J. Paul Getty Jr where he said he has his secretary take care of the philanthropies and he won't answer letters from people asking for money. His comment was (this was to Barbara Walters I believe) "I can't play God." It's just a line I remember, because he's right. Even a billionaire needs to know when to say no and be organized about it. Bill & Melissa Gates give quite a lot, more than any other foundation in the world AFAIK. But I doubt if they send money to Mrs. Jones who needs money to pay the rent or Mr. Smith who needs a kidney transplant. When you are very wealthy, you need to set boundaries too.
What you are talking about in regards to horses are PMU farms. Where urine is taken from mares to create Estrogen drugs for women. Yes foals are taken from the mares after about a week. You could in fact buy a mare from one of these farms but they would just sell you that mare and then she would be replaced with another mare. This is most likely what you saw. Not "Breeding for Profit" Mares. Very few people are in horses to make a profit. If a Mare's foals can make a profit that mare is well taken care of and the foal is left with her until weaning. Most Mares used for BREEDING purposes (IE Breeding to get more horses) live a very good life and are well treated. And guess what weaning the foals is natural...... Other than PMU there is no reason to take foals from Mares. Have you ever priced milk replacers? No breeding horses to take the foals away goes on other than PMU type situations. Even though I already know this I still I asked my wife about this as she has a degree in Equine Science.
Most people are in horses for the love of horses cos it's very difficult to make a profit raising horses. It's the exception not the norm.
We actually have horses as well as other animals. All well treated. Many of the shows on Animal Planet are full of complete nonsense and sensationalism. Animals Rights Groups try to pass off just plain idiotic notions on the public that are either manipulated facts and MOST times outright lies.
Seriously if you buy PMU Mares it will just mean another Mare has to suffer in it's place. If you wanna save horses then buy ones that are gonna be used for dog food. You can get them pretty cheap. They may be old and will require alot of vet attention and such.
However you might want to turn your attention to Llamas and Alpacas as they are being used for the meat purpose because despite that people think they cost thousands of dollars you can buy them at auctions for as low as 1 dollar and on average about 25 dollars. One time I saw 4 Alpacas go at an auction for 1 dollar for all 4 of them.
Norway
Member #9,517
December 10, 2004
1,904 Posts
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I voted for charity, but it depends on how much I win. If it's a very large win I will start with giving to charity and then to the rest of the family.
If it's a "small" first prize I would think of my family first, then give some to charity.