Layaway Angels

[Dave]

Its nice to see in the news this Christmas season stories of individuals in many cities across the country going in to stores and paying off layaway's for random people. It use to be you'd hear of people dropping either like gold coins or large sums of money into Salvation Army collection points, now it seems to be these layaway angels. I haven't heard of it happening locally but the act of generosity seemed to get its start a few weeks ago in Grand Rapids when someone went into a K Mart and paid off a few layaway's. In some cases the donations have been small and in some cases the donations quite sizable... all in all though, the kindness given by these individuals lets us all know that there are still decent people out there that don't care about ethnic or political backgrounds and just want to help... its what makes America great!

[Willy]

It sounds nice but it would be nicer if people helped feed and clothe other folks who are in desperate need which includes those outside of our country. Paying off someones layaway which might be a big screen TV really isn't what I call helping  those who are truly in need.

[Dave]

I've seen in some cases where the donators have requested that the payments only go to layaway's that have just clothing or clothing and toys, so in some ways the people doing this are keeping what you suggest in mind.

[Max]

I think it is nice, regardless of who is helped.  Let's not criticize those who freely give their time, talents and cash.

[Willy]

It wasn't a criticism, it was an observation of how misguided some folks are who think they are really helping others. I doubt that anyone who has merchandise on layaway needs serious help. After all they intended to pay for the items themselves. When I see or hear of real suffering and see how other people around the World are struggling just to live through the day I find it hard to be pleased when folks ignore those that are truly in need and choose to provide help for those who really do not need it because it is more convenient and because it makes them feel good.

[XLFD]

Unfortunately, due to political realities, any aid that we want to give to such poor unfortunates wind up propping up the sadistic autocratic government systems that propagate such abject poverty.  The best way to fight such situations in the first place is in making sure that our original system of democracy, free markets, and individualism is perpetuated, and the good aspects of our culture is exported.  This was instrumental when the USA won the Cold War, with the ensuing freedom and prosperity many countries experienced after communism was replaced with budding capitalism. 

This is not to suggest that private concerns trying to help the starving folks of Africa should stop doing so; such efforts show what good people our system creates and these humanitarian actions help spread the word  of our system and our faiths to those they are helping. 

[XLFD]

Since you mention layaways, Dave, I must commend Wal-Mart for bringing back its layaway program this year.  I don't utilize them myself, but layaways are great for those on the poor side of the ledger to purchase items they need.  For those not aware of what layaway entails:  By purchasing an item on layaway, you select your item, put down a deposit and make regular payments until the item is fully paid off - without interest. Only then are you allowed to take the item home.

This secures the availability of the item and encourages saving for those with poor or no credit.  It also gives credence to those people who promote privatization of social security programs.  One of the biggest fears of social security privatization is that people are idiots - incapable of planning for the future. And yet, here we have a free-market example of lower-income individuals using non-coercive savings programs to plan for their future. 

 

[Sweater Cows!]

" incapable of planning for the future. And yet, here we have a free-market example of lower-income individuals using non-coercive savings programs to plan for their future. "

At first I thought you were being really really sarcastic in your reply! Because it seems to me your straight up wrong in this comment. Doesn't this prove that the people are incapable of planning for the future? Seems that way to me. If they were capable of planning for the future they would have been filling a coffee can(non-coercive savings) with their money over the past few months so that when the time came they could go out and make the desired purchases. Yet instead of saving up for the future they appear to have proven the presumption of those who believe most people are  incapable of taking on the personal responsibility of managing their own money. Instead it looks like they needed big walmart(and any other stores with the seasonal layaway offer) to do what they could have done for themselves. 

The layaway is just a way for wallyworld & other corp biz to get people who otherwise could not afford it to buy things they probably don't need to begin with.

It appears this layaway option shows just how irresponsible most people are capable of being and how a giant corporation is willing to take advantage to suck out every last dollar from those who don't really have it to begin with.

[Willy]

The thing about layaways is that someone can have the store set aside the merchandise so that it will be available  at a certain date even though the store may be sold out of that particular product in the future.  The customer can have the item set aside at a current cheaper rate than it will cost in the future. The store will supply storage for the merchandise until it is redeemed and that is especially a good deal when the layaway products are large items or they are products or toys to be given as Christmas presents or birthday presents. Layaway is not just for low income people. It is a smart buying tool for shoppers of all incomes.

[Sweater Cows!]

I get that. But my comments were only  referenceing X's comments. I should have disclaimed them as (In reply to XLFD) to not make it sound like I think it is  bad thing overall.

Good points Willy.

[Willy]

A good man

http://maniacworld.com/A-Companion-to-the-Forgotten.html

[AQUAMAN]

The USA Gov't. gives plenty of aid to everyone overseas. Look at what's happened in Haiti as a prime example of whom gets the real aid and monies. Help out our own first and foremost I say, in any way possible, it's all good.