Oh, so @duffer isn’t really an idiot. Just a contrarian asshole and possibly a troll.
Gotcha, that does help put the posts in context.
To put it in more context, back in the day duffer was the poor man’s Clothahump.
CMC
I could never make that kind of self-serving calculation. I always figured I was born with a couple of extra copies of that altruism gene or something. I love sharing. I love helping people less fortunate than me. I buy a lottery ticket and fantasize about opening food banks and youth shelters.
Sometimes people think I’m stupid or a pushover but they don’t get it. I LIKE giving 5 bucks to the homeless guy on the street and talking to him for a few minutes. It gives me pleasure. And I don’t care if he uses it to buy alcohol or drugs. I can tell when someone thinks they are playing me -genuine need and manipulation aren’t mutually exclusive -and I indulge it a little bit if it’s a one time interaction.
There is quite a bit of gaslighting involved with the pathological liar syndrome and the people that enable it. It’s “Why you so angry because I told you I was going to Burger King and went to Wendy’s?” There must be something wrong with you. But it comes down to trust. It comes down to being seen as a human being and not a prop. It comes down to respect. Pathological liars have none, give none and deserve none.
I have family members that don’t get it, either. I hear it all the time “ I don’t get it, why do you CARE”? I certainly would be considerable better off if I didn’t, at least in terms of material possessions - my business would’ve been more profitable if I’d been a little more ethically flexible. I’m retired, I own my home, I don’t have to work unless I feel like it and most of the issues of the day don’t affect me at all.
Sometimes I wish I could just live in that little bubble consisting of me and my stuff and my own self-interest and I’ve got mine and that’s all that matters. Life would be easier and I would be calmer. But I’m not wired for that.
I also know that trying to explain life outside that bubble to someone that lives in it is like trying to teach my cat to speak French, so I don’t expect you to get it. But I like who I am.
I totally get it. And I am just like you. 
I get it.
Giving money to some might just be propagating and continuing a problem. Doesn’t mean they don’t need help and sympathy. For others, they seriously just found themselves in serious deep shit for no real fault of their own.
I’ve been very fortunate in life and can afford a few bucks here and there.
I get that, too. That’s why I used the phrase one time interaction. If I’m talking to the homeless guy on the train and I give him $5 and he starts telling me he’s going to use it to buy food then runs out and buys a pint of whiskey, I don’t care. I knew he would probably do that when I gave it to him. If I were homeless and miserable I might do the same. He might think he pulled the wool over my eyes, but he didn’t.
But if there’s someone in my life that I’m helping on a regular basis, I’m MUCH more discerning.
Oh, crap, I forgot that was him! It’s so hard to keep up.
This makes four of us, if my count is correct.
I’m enjoying the company.
Sometimes people could use a little help. I’m having my roof replaced. I’m paying for it but can’t just stand around when I know I can offer help.
I have a tractor that can carry the waste from the old roof and move new materials. So I help. How could I not? I was home anyway.
And here is the thing. It’s not some totally unselfish act. The more I can connect them
and help them, the more time they will have to do a proper job.
Yeah, a troll who’s been here for 17 years. Asshole. (And guess who’ll get a warning from this one)
Here for 17 years, still doesn’t understand the rules.
CMC
For this insult in the PIT?
I’m gonna guess: Nobody.
What do I win?
Relax? Agreed. We should all take that to heart…
Less of a lurker the days, but glad to see see these kinds of posts from you, Sam.
It doesn’t really matter which he does, but it seems to me his constituents are entitled to criticize him either way.
I was going to say the same exact thing.