I know that there are a lot of people hear who whole-heartedly believe in "from each according to their ability, to each according to their need." You don't think others should suffer while you enjoy life. You are generous and not greedy.

Well, due to some bad decision making this year, I've found myself unable to pay for presents for my two kids this year. So, now I'm in need. My wife and I have agreed to not exchange gifts with each other of course, but I don't want the children to have no presents to open, and I don't know where else to go.

Please send me some money. Even if its just ten Euros or so, it will all help. I only need about $200 to $300 to provide them a nice Christmas, and once I've received all that, I'll post again to let you know to stop sending the contributions as I honestly don't want more than enough for the kids Christmas, I should be back on budget within a couple months or so.

I know what a lot of you are thinking - your thinking "Not fucking Rasczak - this guy is an asshole." I don't blame you. And some of you are thinking "what a fucking hypocrite! He's always preaching individual responsibility and such." Please - it's not for me. Its for my kids, and they're nice kids. I promise I won't use any of the money for myself.

I prefer paypal, but I can also accept money orders and cashiers checks. If you're not from the U.S. please use your denomination. The dollar isn't doing so well. Just post here if you want to help, and I'll PM you my contact info.

If you don't want to help for some reason, I'd be interested in knowing why.

Well I'm a sucker for helping people when I can tell they need it. Since I'm new here, I'm probably the only one who isn't thinking this. Lucky you. So I'm not fond of sending money in the mail to people I just met so I have a better suggestion. What if you send me your address and I buy them something and send it to you? You could tell me their interests and what they like and I could find something close to that. I send it to you [unwrapped] so you can see what it is, wrap it, and be able to give it to them knowing what it is. Not like a "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." thing.

I was wondering if you could shed some light on "the dollar isn't doing so well." That is if you don't mind.

I'll have to think this over. They want a Wii really bad, or an Xbox 360, but everything else they want is big and probably hard to ship. The one wants a scooter, the other wants a guitar. I'll probe them to see if there's anything small and less expensive they want. Your's is a great idea.

As for the dollar, ask anyone here. There's been some discussions about it lately. America is going to hell in neumatic tube and its all Bush's fault. No WMDs, global warming, and the like. I'll try to find you a link.

Thanks again.

Well I'll be on the lookout for some things that I think they might like. Do you mind telling me their ages? That was I have a general age group to help determine what they might like. [Kinda like giving a child a teddy bear, wouldn't work on a teenager.]

I heard about the dollar going down in its value but that was a long time ago. Plus, like I said, I'm never really did get into politics. Anyway, I'll be looking forward to that link but I'll try to do some research on my own.

They are 8 and 11 I think. Both boys.

Here's the link to the thread:

A Pearl Harbor without War

I posted 3 articles about the issue by Europe's most influential and biggest news magazine.


You think? Shouldn't you be sure about your children's age?

They keep having birthdays every year, and time goes by fast. It's hard to keep up.

An easy way to raise some money would be to sell your computer.

I suppose I could maybe get a couple hundred out of it, and I'd still have my other two desktops and a laptop left, but that's a big hassle. Its easier if you just send me money. Or you can send toys like Fortuna suggested if you don't trust me.

Just because I make some bad financial decisions does that mean I have to punish myself by losing a computer when other people have the money to spare?

You sound like me.

Nope, it doesn't.

If your PC has more value to you than presents for you children, I accept that. I may not like it, but that's a different story.

Perhaps you overlooked, the PM I wrote, I can offer to send you some money, if this isn't a hoax, I would really be glad to help.

Also you helped me with getting a present for my grandpa, what I really appreciated.

Hey guys, I'm going to get my wife a present, but I can't afford one for my kids.

I have 4 computers, but It's just a hassle to sell one, I'd rather my kids go without, or ask internet people send me money.

Seriously If anyone is dumb enough to send him money, they deserve to lose it


If I had kids, I'd sell my most prized possessions to make sure they had a good christmas. And I hate kids.

You never did tell me what you ended up getting him.

BTW, I'm happy to announce that one of the member just helped me out big time. I'm completely humbled and amazed at this person's generosity. He insisted I not reveal his identity and I can respect that.

Anyway, this guy sends me a PM about and hour ago and asks for my paypal address. I'm thinking cool, another ten bucks or so. This is completely embarrassing and I'm having a hard time with it because I surely can't argue against what people like Dai are saying. I'd be saying the same thing.

So I get an email from paypal saying I received money.

$500!!!!!

That's right! FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

I couldn't believe it. I still don't, but there it is in my paypal account. Here's the note sent along with the money:

Two of you have offered to help. I obviously won't be asking for any more help, but I can't say how thankful I am that you offered.

Anyway, I'm floored and don't know what else to say.

Its not that my computer has more value to me than gifts for the kids, its that I wouldn't have gotten enough of a return trying to sell it. I doubt I would have been able to get much more than a hundred dollars, maybe two hundred at the very most being its used. But I have a lot more invested in it than that. Then there's the huge hassle of trying to get all the info off it and on one of the other computers. I guess I could have transferred it, but it just would have been a big hassle. I could have sold off some pipes from my collection, but they have sentimental value that can't be replaced. Other than that, I don't really have anything else I could sell.

Besides, the point is - when we're talking about government hand outs, redistribution of wealth, etc, you guys think I'm mean or greedy when I suggest that people be self-reliant. Then, when I tell you I'm in need, I'm told to be self-reliant by the same people. Go figure. I guess principles fly out the window when it comes to physically handing out your own money. Sounds better when you're telling someone else to hand out theirs eh?

And again, mrgins, thanks for your offer. I very much appreciate it and can say YOU do put your money where your mouth is.

I didn't say I was getting something for my wife, I said we decided not to exchange gifts. Of course, that's changed now with the $500.

On a side note, The suffering of others gives me great christmas joy.

I hate people.

You really know how to hurt a guy. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Thanks. The $500 will certainly help. We decided, being I only asked for about $200 to $300, to split the $500 with the kids. Now, my wife and I will get to exchange presents too.

You sure are one sick puppy, Razz.

I hope that money's going right back where it came from.
If there ever was any money, that is.

Damn - wish I'd thought of this scam (and actually thought it might work!)

Seriously, I would never do that. But a great big OMFG goes out to this thread.

To the person who sent him money - if you aren't fictional (which I doubt) - you've been had - you can probably get your money back by contacting Paypal and explaining you were scammed.

How was he scammed? I'm using it for exactly what I said I would. Why do you guys think all the sudden that someone with their hand out is a scammer? Are people who collect welfare in that same category in your opinion?