First you donate to my cause...

(First published 12/09/09)
I received my annual phone-call two days ago from the Police Department requesting that I donate to their cause. The caller reminded me that these good men and women put their lives on the line daily on my behalf, that they are under-paid, and that their families live without them when they die in the line of duty. Okay, I'm grateful to them but ... aaaaaah! The Guilt. Don't do that to me.

My first question was obvious - at least to me: "Am I going to get a ticket tomorrow if I don't donate today?" The caller asked if there had been a misunderstanding. He was merely soliciting my financial help. I replied, "Ya know, everytime my father doesn't donate to the Police Department in his hometown, he gets a ticket within the following week." The caller was not to be deterred. He asked if he might send out the information to my home, and I could send in the payment at another time. In fact, "even $10 would help." I have anger issues about Guilt. Major issues.

My issues got the better of me and I asked the caller if he makes calls on behalf of the educators too. I reminded him that teachers are underpaid public servants as well. And just like those who CHOOSE their career, they enter into their financial circumstances and livelihood knowingly. I suggested to him that I had been a teacher (even though I wasn't really, I only did a small "stint" in college) and no one ever did a telemarketing on my behalf. In fact, if he was willing to do what he was doing on behalf of the educators - who are don't make enough money and give their lives up in the cause of children, I'd help the Police Department. But until then ...

We hung up simultaneously. It's the only thing we agreed upon.