# Inappropriate to ask who a person voted for before contributing to a medical expense GoFundMe? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929 "2020-03-21T00:50:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/21 "2020-03-21T16:12:37Z")
The OP has a good point. When donating blood, I always make sure it won’t go to Republicans or Libertarians.\* > [@Icarus](#): > > Count me as naturally skeptical of GoFundMe requests in general. Unless I know the person personally, and have a sense of their personal struggles, I’m suspicious of generalized GoFundMe. But that’s just me. Given the [scamsters](http://kolotv.com/content/news/Carson-City-mother-sent-to-prison-for-lying-about-son-having-leukemia-483525991.html) who’ve [taken advantage of donors](https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/how-do-we-stop-gofundme-from-funding-quackery/), that’s not unreasonable suspicion. \*obligatory whoosh disclaimer. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/22 "2020-03-21T16:16:14Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That’s fair. And it’s definitely a moral question I ask myself. > > But if someone consistently told you how UHC is socialism, and people don’t deserve handouts, and people should pull themselves up by the bootstraps, and they are happy with their health insurance that they pay for themselves, and then asks for medical bill money, we should help them? They shouldn’t have to live with their own consequences? Nobody’s saying you have to help. But asking who they voted for just seems classless to me. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/23 "2020-03-21T16:20:30Z")
I think it’s inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/24 "2020-03-21T16:24:33Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Given the [scamsters](http://kolotv.com/content/news/Carson-City-mother-sent-to-prison-for-lying-about-son-having-leukemia-483525991.html) who’ve [taken advantage of donors](https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/how-do-we-stop-gofundme-from-funding-quackery/), that’s not unreasonable suspicion. Yeah, let’s create a website so that people in need can ask for donations, what could possibly go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/25 "2020-03-21T17:40:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Am I wrong? Not wrong, just a bit hamfisted. You’re starting out from the position of the person being worthy of your money, and then eliminating them based on certain criteria. I suggest turning it around and approaching it with the attitude of, “Nobody’s entitled to my money, do you have any qualities I think will make the world a better place?” If you can’t come up with anything, they get nothing. Not all lives are equal, not all people are worth assisting. Who decides? Well, when it’s your money–when it’s the physical manifestation of time taken from your own finite lifespan–YOU do. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with distributing that as you see fit. You’re not giving away money, you’re giving away a chunk of your life. It’s crazy to do that when doing so works directly against your physical and moral needs. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/26 "2020-03-21T17:41:17Z")
Guess I’m in the minority here. I can’t give to EVERYONE, so I think I should have some leeway in deciding who to give to. Charity is by its very nature discriminatory. If you want to discriminate based on voting history, it’s your money and your decision. Just don’t expect an honest answer from the potential recipient. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/27 "2020-03-21T20:32:16Z")
In general, be the better person. But (there’s always a “but”), sometimes a person gets themselves into such problems due to long term stupid thinking that won’t go away. In short, you’re throwing your money away since they will be back in the soup very soon. There are certain tell-tale signs, some of which are associated with certain world views. (Note the plural.) I think voting is too indirect. More direct information would be useful. Stuff more pertinent to this person and their situation. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/28 "2020-03-21T21:15:01Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Several Facebook groups I’m in sometimes have GoFundMe requests for medical bills and I like to ask who they voted for before donating money to the request. > > I’ve received a lot of flack for asking that, and I don’t understand why. So you’re behaving like an asshole on Facebook, and you’re mystified and baffled that people there are calling you an asshole, and you want us to explain this to you. Haven’t we been down this road with you before? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/29 "2020-03-22T02:28:06Z")
Ever stop and think that maybe some of these people might have changed their minds? There are plenty of people out there that voted for Trump and regretted it. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/30 "2020-03-22T23:11:27Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > So you’re behaving like an asshole on Facebook, and you’re mystified and baffled that people there are calling you an asshole, and you want us to explain this to you. > > Haven’t we been down this road with you before? Well, if I somebody asks me who I voted for, I wouldn’t get mad. Especially if, for some reason I was asking for money, and they wanted to know who I voted for before giving me some of their money. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/31 "2020-03-22T23:14:04Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Do you really want to means test your compassion? > > Consider helping someone out of the kindness of your heart, not your perception of their worthiness. This is interesting. If Rand Paul started a Go-Fund-Me for his corona virus medical expenses, would you even consider donating? And it’s not “worthiness” I’m considering. It’s their own choices that led them to ask for money from strangers that I’m more interested in. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/32 "2020-03-22T23:33:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think it’s inappropriate. I’m firmly and clearly on this side, as well. I would give money to the Trumpiest of my friends or relatives if they truly needed it in a health crisis. My donation would most likely depend on my closeness to them and my perception of their need. Who they voted for would never enter into it. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/33 "2020-03-23T00:02:06Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > This is interesting. If Rand Paul started a Go-Fund-Me for his corona virus medical expenses, would you even consider donating? > > And it’s not “worthiness” I’m considering. It’s their own choices that led them to ask for money from strangers that I’m more interested in. HaHaHa! You’re determining their worthiness by how they’ll answer your questions. You’re going to stand in judgement of their life choice. Yes, you ARE ‘testing’ their worthiness! Their suffering is or isn’t sufficient to trigger your compassion. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/34 "2020-03-23T00:09:47Z")
This reminds me of the time someone blogged in 2006 about how they were going to help someone stranded on the roadside after Hurricane Katrina, but then suddenly sped up and drove off when they saw the car’s Bush/Cheney bumper sticker. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/35 "2020-03-23T00:13:05Z")
I think it’s inappropriate because generosity to those in need should be unconditional. Just like love. Maybe it’s corny, but that’s how I feel. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/36 "2020-03-23T01:02:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think it’s inappropriate because generosity to those in need should be unconditional. Just like love. Maybe it’s corny, but that’s how I feel. That’s fair. But I only have so many resources. I shouldn’t use any sort of information to determine who should receive those resources? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/37 "2020-03-23T01:07:18Z")
It should be based on their suffering not whether you approve of their choices when they vote. This isn’t hard. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/38 "2020-03-23T01:09:53Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > It should be based on their suffering not whether you approve of their choices when they vote. > This isn’t hard. I see. So, in a hypothetical, if Rand Paul started a Go-Fund-Me to pay for his medical bills, you would consider donating? Why or Why not? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/39 "2020-03-23T02:16:31Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I see. So, in a hypothetical, if Rand Paul started a Go-Fund-Me to pay for his medical bills, you would consider donating? Why or Why not? So far, his medical bills have been NOT going out to $100 dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929/40 "2020-03-23T02:28:06Z")
Ask them. It’s important to you, and they’re asking you for money. I hate that overall our medical system works this way, where people pay their bills by begging online but that’s a separate issue. Give your money where you feel comfortable giving it, and thank you for giving anything at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929.md?page=3)