SAVE THE WORLD
Written on March 14, 2008
Being the tree hugging environmentalist that I am, I decided several years ago to give some money to join an environmentalist organization. By joining their cause, they would plant a tree in my name to reduce global warming. They in turn gave my name and address to another environmental group, who then gave my name and address to three other environmental and human rights groups, who each then gave my name and address to several other worthy liberal causes. So now, almost every day in the mail I receive letters requesting money to help save the rain forest, the polar bear, the whales, the salmon, the hoot owls, the wolves, the national parks, the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, the parentless children in Africa from AIDS, the children in 3rd world countries with cleft pallets, the average American citizen from being spied upon by the National Security Agency, the roadless wilderness areas from the lumber and oil barons, the sick without doctors, the homeless without homes, the politically persecuted without lawyers, the poor without health care, the cops without guns, and people from diseases without a cure. They all seem to be great causes in great need of being supported. Many send free address labels, greeting cards or note pads. Others offer backpacks or stuffed animal toys. Most express urgent requests to act quickly by signing and sending a petition to the local congressman or Senator.
All these causes make my liberal heart bleed. My monetary resources are very limited. I feel guilty I can’t give more to save the world in all the ways that it needs saving. I feel guilty that I’m annoyed by all these organizations trying to make me feel guilty enough to give them all my money.
Every week now for the past several years since joining my first environmental organization, I receive in my name, multiple mailings, of which the paper pulp is equivalent to several small trees. Most of the mailings I now tear up without opening and put into my paper recycling bin. I’m trying to do my part to save the environment and save the world.
