Your generous Katrina donations at work

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » September 14, 2005, 1:19 pm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9340117/

Galleria Workers Question Evacuee Debit Card Purchases
Click2Houston.com

HOUSTON - Although thousands of evacuees are still in need of financial help, questions are being raised about how some of them are spending money on debit cards they received from the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday. Some employees at the Galleria said they saw storm victims using the debit cards to buy expensive gifts, like $250 bracelet, instead of on food or housing.

"I was upset because I donated money like a lot of people, and I think it should have just strictly been used for food and clothing and necessities ? not luxury items that, I mean, I can't even afford," a Galleria employee, who asked to not be identified, told KPRC Local 2.

The Red Cross said it is aware of the problem but admitted that it cannot control where the money is spent.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » September 14, 2005, 1:25 pm

I have been hearing this for the last few days, while I think it was stupid to give out the Credit Cards with no stipulations what do you do?

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » September 14, 2005, 8:41 pm

Cartalas wrote:I have been hearing this for the last few days, while I think it was stupid to give out the Credit Cards with no stipulations what do you do?

Well, they had stipulations, no guns, no booze, etc, but "no luxuries" would be too hard to interpret and there's probably a tiny percentage that aren't using them as intended.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 14, 2005, 9:12 pm

There was a Louis Vitton 800 dollar purse purchased in Atlanta with one of the 2k debit cards already.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » September 14, 2005, 9:24 pm

Kylere wrote:There was a Louis Vitton 800 dollar purse purchased in Atlanta with one of the 2k debit cards already.

I hear tell, some people use their money for drugs and alcohol too. Down with charity, down with social security.

I'm only guessing here, and you know, I might be shooting wide of the mark, but I would think the LV bag was bought to re-sell for cash to buy stuff that isn't available via Red Cross debit. Everyone seems to think the implication is the LV buyer is some kind of Imela Marcos from NO.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 14, 2005, 9:27 pm

Actually Zaelath, the implication is that within seconds of them being announced they had a street value of 1350 cash for one that was unused.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » September 15, 2005, 2:01 am

Kylere wrote:Actually Zaelath, the implication is that within seconds of them being announced they had a street value of 1350 cash for one that was unused.

I'm surprised it was that much, though I'm not surprised some people would convert them to cash.

Still failing to see the big deal; just another case of over-emphasis on trivial bullshit in some attempt to ignore real issues.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » September 15, 2005, 2:23 am

just another case of over-emphasis on trivial bullshit in some attempt to ignore real issues.

Well said sir~

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » September 15, 2005, 2:48 am

I don't think it's as trivial as you are making it out to be.

I had a feeling this was going to happen before they even implemented it. And I would venture to guess it's a lot of people using it for un necessary luxuries.

Why would they need to do anything else with it? I know for one, Minnesota just extended full welfare (food stamp, etc) and state insurance benefits to any of the 7k or so people that have been moved here.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » September 15, 2005, 5:25 am

Funkmasterr wrote:I don't think it's as trivial as you are making it out to be.

I had a feeling this was going to happen before they even implemented it. And I would venture to guess it's a lot of people using it for un necessary luxuries.

Why would they need to do anything else with it? I know for one, Minnesota just extended full welfare (food stamp, etc) and state insurance benefits to any of the 7k or so people that have been moved here.

Anyone that was relocated from LA to MN has my deepest sympathy; no amount of welfare could make up for that

Of course you would guess it's a "lot of people", you probably thought the same thing about SARS and other things the government loves to blow out of proportion and the media and populace lap up.

Yes, Yes, worry about this over here that isn't the government's fault, even better, that they're powerless to affect! ~ every politician since the advent of the printing press.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » September 15, 2005, 9:15 am

I would say quite a large percentage of the people who were issued the cards were federally assisted anyway. So they get welfare money, food stamps, housing paid for by the taxpayers.....so they might as well use their cards to buy some bling when they get a $2k windfall.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » September 15, 2005, 11:03 am

These are probably the same impulsive buyers that have 3-4 maxed credit cards.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » September 15, 2005, 12:20 pm

If they had the forethought and financial skills to be able to correctly budget a $2k windfall they probably wouldn't be eligible for it anyway. Their needs for next week, next month, etc.. don't come to mind.

The people doing this have probably never had anything other than a hand to mouth existance.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 15, 2005, 6:50 pm

Yeah But Aabidano the concept is that you do not HAVE to live that way, it just sucks clawing your way out of it almost as bad as it sucks to be there.