GoFundMe to Pay for Gear?

[tfer]

Being needlessly snarky when you're obviously incorrect isn't a good look.

I put the opening sentences in bold so that hopefully you can see how they are clearly directly related

Once again, I'll point out that his example was to "pay for a custom instrument".

I'm am not sure how that could be more clear.

 

[tfer]

I'll step out.

You guys can throw money at someone for all the ethereal promises you like. Peace.

 

[Anachronism]

Social security isn't a handout, nor is it a "welfare program," even if many of it's detractors and several prominent newgen bloggers don't seem to get it. Or maybe it's just they refuse to allow themselves to get it. But why let reality interfere with anything when you're on a good roll, right?

Problem was, instead of being allowed to remain the government administered pension plan - which the people who were paying into it for forty plus years, and were supposed to be eligible to receive in return - it was routinely plundered for anything the government needed money for. Including subsidies to the schools and related social benefits all the people (young and old) who never paid a dime into it received - and continue to receive. So Social Security evolved into what basically became a second income tax. One generally (but not always) used to fund any of the "social" and "feel good" legislation our lawmakers like to slap themselves on the back for. Too bad so much of it was funded with other people's money. And in the truest sense of the phrase.

Even the dumbest person in Congress will admit (if they're drunk) that had Social Security been left alone to do what it was originally intended to do, there'd be more than enough money to pay out to the people who both funded it, and it was promised too. So "Oops!" And just like some crowdfunding BS artists do, they're now wringing their hands and saying to forgive them and that they're doing what they can - but we're all in this together and we need to think about each other and yadda-yadda-yadda...

Whatever.

The damage is done and there's no easy way to even partially fix it now. Just one more broken promise made by Uncle Sam.

It won't be the last. And those that follow will eventually learn for themselves how blaming the victim feels. Guaranteed.

So lets not trot out the current nonsense about how Social Security is just another welfare or handout program. It's not. It's just been plundered to fund a huge number of them.

Nope. Nope. And Nope. It's cute that you believe this, though. Social Security isn't a pension plan and never has been. It's the government taxing today's workers to fund checks written to today's old people--that's all it is and all it has ever been. Also, the congressional raiding of the SS trust fund isn't responsible for the long-term structural problems of the program, which would still be going broke in a few years regardless. This isn't politics, it's math. And the numbers don't care what stories you tell yourself or who you try to pin the blame on.
But that's getting off topic, and there's a whole web full of information you can look up if you want to learn. Back on topic, plenty of the folks who gripe the most about people (especially the young) receiving handouts are wedded to their own handouts.

 

[MDBass]

Once again, I'll point out that his example was to "pay for a custom instrument".

I'm am not sure how that could be more clear.

It's totally clear, you're the only one who's confused here...and maybe a few other folks who only read the first paragraph and decided the rest was irrelevant

Proceeds from all products and services offered in the obviously related second paragraph go towards covering the cost of said instrument: that's how crowdfunding works.

"Here's what we're trying to do, and here's what you guys get for helping us do it."

It functions the same way whether you're talking about a board/video game, an album, an instrument, a new tech gadget, a new business, etc.

 

[40Hz]

It's totally clear, you're the only one who's confused here...and maybe a few other folks who only read the first paragraph and decided the rest was irrelevant

Proceeds from all products and services offered in the obviously related second paragraph go towards covering the cost of said instrument: that's how crowdfunding works.

"Here's what we're trying to do, and here's what you guys get for helping us do it."

It functions the same way whether you're talking about a board/video game, an album, an instrument, a new tech gadget, a new business, etc.

It's totally clear, you're the only one who's confused here...and maybe a few other folks who only read the first paragraph and decided the rest was irrelevant

Proceeds from all products and services offered in the obviously related second paragraph go towards covering the cost of said instrument: that's how crowdfunding works.

"Here's what we're trying to do, and here's what you guys get for helping us do it."

It functions the same way whether you're talking about a board/video game, an album, an instrument, a new tech gadget, a new business, etc.

Ok...using that argument, let's try it again, this time slightly changing the object and offering equivalent incentives as was suggested:

($20-ticket to a gig, $50-private lesson, $500-a private concert in your home, $1000-a song written on the new bass).

TARGET: $3999

Hey! Buy me this fancy John Deere sit-down lawnmower? $20 and you can come and watch me mow somebody's lawn with it. $50 and I'll talk to you on the phone and teach you how to mow your own lawn after you get your own lawnmower. $500 and I'll come to your home and mow your lawn with it - once. $1000 and I'll sculpt something into a lawn somewhere, name it after you, and post a picture of it on my website.

Hey, c'mon! This is my first crack at this. I wanna see if this crowdsourcing thing actually works. If it does, my amp and van campaign will be following shortly. So help me out peeps! My parents and all my friends already told me to piss off. Be kind?

----------------------

Any takers?

 

[tfer]

Nope. Nope. And Nope. It's cute that you believe this, though. Social Security isn't a pension plan and never has been. It's the government taxing today's workers to fund checks written to today's old people--that's all it is and all it has ever been. Also, the congressional raiding of the SS trust fund isn't responsible for the long-term structural problems of the program, which would still be going broke in a few years regardless. This isn't politics, it's math. And the numbers don't care what stories you tell yourself or who you try to pin the blame on.
But that's getting off topic, and there's a whole web full of information you can look up if you want to learn. Back on topic, plenty of the folks who gripe the most about people (especially the young) receiving handouts are wedded to their own handouts.

Wrong on pretty much every belief.

Invalid Link Removed

I direct your attention to questions 25, and 26. It is a self sustaining program.

 

[40Hz]

Nope. Nope. And Nope. It's cute that you believe this, though. Social Security isn't a pension plan and never has been. It's the government taxing today's workers to fund checks written to today's old people--that's all it is and all it has ever been. Also, the congressional raiding of the SS trust fund isn't responsible for the long-term structural problems of the program, which would still be going broke in a few years regardless. This isn't politics, it's math. And the numbers don't care what stories you tell yourself or who you try to pin the blame on.
But that's getting off topic, and there's a whole web full of information you can look up if you want to learn. Back on topic, plenty of the folks who gripe the most about people (especially the young) receiving handouts are wedded to their own handouts.

"Nope. Nope. And Nope." That's a pretty crushing rebuttal. Care to point to where you're getting your information from?

 

[40Hz]

Wrong on pretty much every belief.

Invalid Link Removed

I direct your attention to questions 25, and 26. It is a self sustaining program.

I direct your attention to question 4 from the same source you're citing:

Q4: Is it true that Social Security was originally just a retirement program?

A: Yes. Under the 1935 law, what we now think of as Social Security only paid retirement benefits to the primary worker. A 1939 change in the law added survivors benefits and benefits for the retiree's spouse and children. In 1956 disability benefits were added.]

Did I miss something here? Or did you?

As I said, it was changed into something that was not it's original intent when passed into law.

 

[PaulReside]

Not to fund an instrument, no. But I have been part of crowdfunding. I kicked in $100 to Robert Truillo for the Jaco movie. Got a cool signed poster and a nice feeling in my heart when I watched the film.

 

[MDBass]

Ok...using that argument, let's try it again, this time slightly changing the object and offering equivalent incentives as was suggested:



View attachment 972520

TARGET: $3999

Hey! Buy me this fancy John Deere sit-down lawnmower? $20 and you can come and watch me mow somebody's lawn with it. $50 and I'll talk to you on the phone and teach you how to mow your own lawn after you get your own lawnmower. $500 and I'll come to your home and mow your lawn with it - once. $1000 and I'll sculpt something into a lawn somewhere, name it after you, and post a picture of it on my website.

Hey, c'mon! This is my first crack at this. I wanna see if this crowdsourcing thing actually works. If it does, my amp and van campaign will be following shortly. So help me out peeps! My parents and all my friends already told me to piss off. Be kind?

----------------------

Any takers?

Highly unlikely, unless a bunch of folks literally find the sound of a lawnmower to be "music to their ears"

This amusing fantasy situation isn't really relevant though: the OP already mentioned this particular campaign is already over halfway to it's goal, so clearly people are interested in what he is selling, and you already mentioned funding Amanda's album/tour so you clearly understand how the concept works

 

[MDBass]

I direct your attention to question 4 from the same source you're citing:



Did I miss something here? Or did you?

As I said, it was changed into something that was not it's original intent when passed into law.

Don't worry, reading comprehension obviously isn't one of his strengths

 

[fuzzychaos]

Ok...using that argument, let's try it again, this time slightly changing the object and offering equivalent incentives as was suggested:



View attachment 972520

TARGET: $3999

Hey! Buy me this fancy John Deere sit-down lawnmower? $20 and you can come and watch me mow somebody's lawn with it. $50 and I'll talk to you on the phone and teach you how to mow your own lawn after you get your own lawnmower. $500 and I'll come to your home and mow your lawn with it - once. $1000 and I'll sculpt something into a lawn somewhere, name it after you, and post a picture of it on my website.

Hey, c'mon! This is my first crack at this. I wanna see if this crowdsourcing thing actually works. If it does, my amp and van campaign will be following shortly. So help me out peeps! My parents and all my friends already told me to piss off. Be kind?

----------------------

Any takers?

If someone derived pleasure from viewing someone mowing or wanted mowing lessons or thought that your "art" was worth it, then what's wrong with that?

 

[40Hz]

Highly unlikely, unless a bunch of folks literally find the sound of a lawnmower to be "music to their ears"

This amusing fantasy situation isn't particularly relevant though: the OP already mentioned this particular campaign is already over halfway to it's goal, so clearly people are interested in what he is selling, and you already mentioned funding Amanda's album/tour so you clearly understand how the concept works

I understand quite well how the concept works. I just don't consider all the campaigns equally valid.

I also wouldn't read too much into the campaign I saw. He'd be hard pressed not to find enough friends & family to ante that much up if he's at all like most people.

 

[Anachronism]

Wrong on pretty much every belief.

Invalid Link Removed

I direct your attention to questions 25, and 26. It is a self sustaining program.

Only so long as income from payroll taxes are greater than expenditures. We're only a few years from permanently passing that fiscal event horizon, unless the program is restructured to account for the decreasing number of workers funding each beneficiary. If the IOU's sitting in the SS trust fund are honored, that'll push things back a bit, but the problem won't go away, it'll just be kicked down the road.

"Nope. Nope. And Nope." That's a pretty crushing rebuttal. Care to point to where you're getting your information from?

A doctorate in political science, for a start. You can also look at the numbers the SS trustees release, and numbers from the CBO. Invalid Link Removed
One place to start.

 

[fuzzychaos]

I just don't consider all the campaigns equally valid.

Then that would be one that you would pass over. No harm, no foul.

 

[40Hz]

If someone derived pleasure from viewing someone mowing or wanted mowing lessons or thought that your "art" was worth it, then what's wrong with that?

Nothing. And I hope they contribute to the campaign!

But seriously, why should we care?

Like others have said, if it doesn't ring your bells, move along.

My real concern is how some of the abuses and idiocy can hurt the entire concept of crowdfunding - which is IMO a really great idea in and of itself. I'd just hate to see it get a bad reputation because of some of the company it keeps like Bitcoin did.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

No, they aren't, and this is where reading comprehension comes in; he mentions seeing crowdfunding videos recently in the first paragraph and goes on to describe those exact videos in the second paragraph.

Again, the OP doesn't ask any questions until the third paragraph, and the entire post is related to his questions.

Not really interested in arguing about something so obvious, I'm sure @Duuuuuuuuuude will chime in eventually

I'm kinda done with this topic.

 

[40Hz]

Only so long as income from payroll taxes are greater than expenditures. We're only a few years from permanently passing that fiscal event horizon, unless the program is restructured to account for the decreasing number of workers funding each beneficiary. If the IOU's sitting in the SS trust fund are honored, that'll push things back a bit, but the problem won't go away, it'll just be kicked down the road.



A doctorate in political science, for a start. You can also look at the numbers the SS trustees release, and numbers from the CBO. Invalid Link Removed
One place to start.

A doctorate? Well well well... and in Polysci too! (Is that a source btw?) I'm impressed enough to hang my head in shame since I've only got a degree in accounting and computer science, and 42 years in doing corporate finance and taxes for the start of my career, and running my own businesses for the last 30 or so. I guess I can't do math, or read or understand government (which has some of it's own interesting reporting standards) financial statements either.

But since I've apparently been put in my place by a PhD (and in PolySci no less!) I think it best to just leave it all to you Doc. Have a nice day.

 

[40Hz]

I'm kinda done with this topic.

This. I'm out too.

 

[Anachronism]

A doctorate? Well well well... and in Polysci too! (Is that a source btw?) I'm impressed enough to hang my head in shame since I've only got a degree in accounting and computer science, and 42 years in doing corporate finance and taxes for the start of my career, and running my own businesses for the last 30 or so. I guess I can't do math, or read or understand government (which has some of it's own interesting reporting standards) financial statements either.

But since I've apparently been put in my place by a PhD (and in PolySci no less!) I think it best to just leave it all to you Doc. Have a nice day.

Be as sarcastic as you like. Your claims are complete horses--t and snarking about my qualifications and trying to humblebrag about what you think are your own won't change that.