another take on this

Cars and plasma TVs are in demand, right?  These people can sell them and have money, good money, right away.  Maybe their extended family and friends can come up with the money for the tax for the car.  At least they have a car if they can find a way to pay that tax. 

Another reason why they were given as gifts -- If he and Oprah handed out cash, everyone would want at least some.  But if you get a material item like a car or TV we all know not everyone gets them, they are like a prize, and so there's no flack about "I want one too!" like there would be if these hosts were giving out cash.

Also, there might be a good tax writeoff that would apply to material goods and not cash, etc. so it might have been done for legal reasons.  Again, the hosts cannot build homes for everyone.  Please don't be so quick to condemn them.  They have extremely smart lawyers on their staff.  They know exactly what they are doing and I believe both of them have all but the best of intentions. 

And third and most important, a homeless person NEEDS a cell phone.  I've been there.  I've had to use a donated one from a woman's shelter that was pre-programmed to call the police.  No charge ever.  But I needed the phone with me at all times because I was being stalked and I needed to be able to call the cops. 

When you're homeless, you and your family may be broken up, some people here, some there.  You need to be able to stay in touch.  Pay phones are NOT cheap when you have lost everything.  I applaud him for giving cell phones especially. 

AND, this is what you saw on TV.  Lots of stuff happens behind the scenes.  I've worked for a well-known person and believe me, lots of GOOD stuff happens that the public doesn't know about because the famous person doesn't want to be inundated with requests and have to determine who is being truthful, etc. 

• Any Dr. Phil fans out there? - trose
  • It was on today. sm - jj
    • I so didn't understand this show...people homeless - and Phil and Robin giving them cellphones..sm
      • Like Oprah giving poor people new cars - Bonnie Blue
        • oh, it occurred to her, she chose to ignore it... - and Phil and Robin giving them cellphones..sm
          • another take on this - anon
  • did you see him - jlynn
    • I didn't but my son and some of his friends did. - trose

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