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Tuesday, August 9, 2016
The Charitable-Industrial Complex
The Charitable-Industrial Complex
By PETER BUFFETT
Published: July 26, 2013
I HAD spent much of my life writing music for commercials, film and television and knew little about the world of philanthropy as practiced by the very wealthy until what I call the big bang happened in 2006. That year, my father, Warren Buffett, made good on his commitment to give nearly all of his accumulated wealth back to society. In addition to making several large donations, he added generously to the three foundations that my parents had created years earlier, one for each of their children to run.
Audio
Listen to a related song written by Peter Buffett.
'Already Flown' by Peter Buffett
Early on in our philanthropic journey, my wife and I became aware of something I started to call Philanthropic Colonialism. I noticed that a donor had the urge to “save the day” in some fashion. People (including me) who had very little knowledge of a particular place would think that they could solve a local problem. Whether it involved farming methods, education practices, job training or business development, over and over I would hear people discuss transplanting what worked in one setting directly into another with little regard for culture, geography or societal norms.
Often the results of our decisions had unintended consequences; distributing condoms to stop the spread of AIDS in a brothel area ended up creating a higher price for unprotected sex.
But now I think something even more damaging is going on.
Because of who my father is, I’ve been able to occupy some seats I never expected to sit in. Inside any important philanthropy meeting, you witness heads of state meeting with investment managers and corporate leaders. All are searching for answers with their right hand to problems that others in the room have created with their left. There are plenty of statistics that tell us that inequality is continually rising. At the same time, according to the Urban Institute, the nonprofit sector has been steadily growing. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of nonprofits increased 25 percent. Their growth rate now exceeds that of both the business and government sectors. It’s a massive business, with approximately $316 billion given away in 2012 in the United States alone and more than 9.4 million employed.
Philanthropy has become the “it” vehicle to level the playing field and has generated a growing number of gatherings, workshops and affinity groups.
As more lives and communities are destroyed by the system that creates vast amounts of wealth for the few, the more heroic it sounds to “give back.” It’s what I would call “conscience laundering” — feeling better about accumulating more than any one person could possibly need to live on by sprinkling a little around as an act of charity.
But this just keeps the existing structure of inequality in place. The rich sleep better at night, while others get just enough to keep the pot from boiling over. Nearly every time someone feels better by doing good, on the other side of the world (or street), someone else is further locked into a system that will not allow the true flourishing of his or her nature or the opportunity to live a joyful and fulfilled life.
And with more business-minded folks getting into the act, business principles are trumpeted as an important element to add to the philanthropic sector. I now hear people ask, “what’s the R.O.I.?” when it comes to alleviating human suffering, as if return on investment were the only measure of success. Microlending and financial literacy (now I’m going to upset people who are wonderful folks and a few dear friends) — what is this really about? People will certainly learn how to integrate into our system of debt and repayment with interest. People will rise above making $2 a day to enter our world of goods and services so they can buy more. But doesn’t all this just feed the beast?
I’m really not calling for an end to capitalism; I’m calling for humanism.
Often I hear people say, “if only they had what we have” (clean water, access to health products and free markets, better education, safer living conditions). Yes, these are all important. But no “charitable” (I hate that word) intervention can solve any of these issues. It can only kick the can down the road.
My wife and I know we don’t have the answers, but we do know how to listen. As we learn, we will continue to support conditions for systemic change.
It’s time for a new operating system. Not a 2.0 or a 3.0, but something built from the ground up. New code.
What we have is a crisis of imagination. Albert Einstein said that you cannot solve a problem with the same mind-set that created it. Foundation dollars should be the best “risk capital” out there.
There are people working hard at showing examples of other ways to live in a functioning society that truly creates greater prosperity for all (and I don’t mean more people getting to have more stuff).
Money should be spent trying out concepts that shatter current structures and systems that have turned much of the world into one vast market. Is progress really Wi-Fi on every street corner? No. It’s when no 13-year-old girl on the planet gets sold for sex. But as long as most folks are patting themselves on the back for charitable acts, we’ve got a perpetual poverty machine.
It’s an old story; we really need a new one.
Monday, August 8, 2016
NextDoor Marinwood Mayhem!. Sidewalk Chalk Protest and Free Speech
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| Democracy needs free speech. |
From Marinwood.Nextdoor.com
Clean up? What do you guys think?
from Lucas Valley/Marinwood
7 
First of all, this is a non-destructive form of protest. If this was spray paint I would be upset.
My question is that how would you feel coming to work to this? The workers did not make the plans but are just trying to make a living. My first instinct would to be clean it up so the workers who are powerless in the situation don't have to deal with this.
On the other hand people are obviously upset and want to send a message to those who do make decisions - so I want to respect that. I will leave it to the community to figure this one out.
Btw, I have no real opinion on the work being done.
My question is that how would you feel coming to work to this? The workers did not make the plans but are just trying to make a living. My first instinct would to be clean it up so the workers who are powerless in the situation don't have to deal with this.
On the other hand people are obviously upset and want to send a message to those who do make decisions - so I want to respect that. I will leave it to the community to figure this one out.
Btw, I have no real opinion on the work being done.
Shared with Lucas Valley/Marinwood in General
Ritter House proposes a Major Homeless Expansion in North San Rafael
Count finds 40 percent increase in Marin homeless population
A one-day count of Marin County’s homeless population in January found 1,309 homeless people — a 40 percent increase from the 933 homeless reported in 2013.
The federal government requires all jurisdictions receiving funding to aid the homeless to conduct a count every two years. see story HERE
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Ritter Center Director misleads public about Low Barrier Shelter
Dick Spotswood, Marin IJ columnist asks Cia Byrnes about the type of homeless shelter. Cia responds that it is a "low barrier shelter" because it "doesn't cost money to stay there" It appears to be deliberately misleading to suggest that the REST program which selects clients will be the same as a HUD defined "low barrier shelter" where clients may be accepted despite alcohol and drug use and criminal history (with some exceptions). While many people are supportive of the mission of Ritter Center, the concern is about criminal behavior and illegal drug and alcohol use spilling out into the neighborhoods like we see in downtown San Rafael.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Thursday, August 4, 2016
ALERT: Is this address on Lucas Valley Rd the new location for 276 units of Low Income Housing?
View Larger Map
A pre application for the development at Luis Ranch (Rocking H Ranch) has been received by Marin County Planning Department. You can read about it HERE. It calls for 4 large estates of ten acres each AND one lot of below market units next to Lucas Valley Road across from Bridgegate Dr. Luis Ranch has a potential development of 280 units.
Does this mean that we will see two parcels of low income housing developed to the maximum of 276 units! ?
The planners and politicians have been very sneaky. In 2014 they downzoned the property to allow for 280 units over community objections.
It looks like we have ANOTHER battle on our hands, thanks to the efforts of Housing Activists, Developers and their business allies.
I don't think the brush clearing along Lucas Valley Road is a random act by the Board of Supervisors. There are many development proposals in the works. Gary Giacomini, Steve Kinsey and others want to urbanize Lucas Valley.
"What you are showing is the theoretical upper density range for a 100 percent affordable housing development. However the site is not designated as an affordable housing receiver site, it has numerous site constraints (e.g., slope, drainages), and it lacks the infrastructure necessary to support affordable housing. The pre-application is proposing 4 market-rate units, plus 2 existing units proposed to be renovated and used for affordable.
Ben Berto
Principal Planner
County of Marin
Homeless encampments are a leading cause of wild fires in Marin.
A small fire was sparked near a San Rafael homeless encampment late Monday.
Just before midnight, San Rafael firefighters responded to reports of a fire near 350 Merrydale Road.
Firefighters had to work their way through obstacles See story HERE
Fires on Los Ranchitos Road in San Rafael Likely Caused by Homeless, Chief Says
The latest fire was reported at 11:10 p.m. Monday, according to fire Chief Christopher Gray.By Maggie Avants (Patch Staff) - August 3, 2016 12:06 am ET
SAN RAFAEL, CA — Authorities are investigating fires on private property on Los Ranchitos Road in San Rafael, the latest of which broke out late Monday night.
San Rafael fire Chief Chris Gray said a security guard at Guide Dogs for the Blind reported the fire at 340 Los Ranchitos at about 11:10 p.m. Monday. A quick response and action by firefighters from San Rafael and Marinwood limited its spread to one-eighth of an acre, Gray said.
The chief told Patch the fire "appeared to be caused by homeless activity."
Get free real-time news alerts from the San Rafael Patch.
"The area experienced another fire last month," Gray said. "Firefighters and the San Rafael Police Department are investigating further and seeing that a fence is repaired that has been broken down by campers accessing the area."
He said residents and businesses should report any suspicious activity to San Rafael police.
Meanwhile in a related story from Big Sur...
Big Sur blaze started by illegal campfire, officials say
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Paul Brunell from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Jody Morales from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
I would prefer it if people contacted their supervisors (and all other elected officials) and complained, commented and questioned in advance, but most don't until it's too late. Involvement is the only way to get and keep things on track.
Bravo to the brave resident!
Jody Morales from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Ashleigh Strasheim from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Erika Gendreau from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Mike Ralston from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Mike Ralston from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
Linda Barnello from Lucas Valley/Marinwood1d ago
""Susan Mortensen of Richmond, Virginia was reprimanded by a James River Park officer when she allowed her four-year-old daughter to color rocks with sidewalk chalk. Ralph White, park manager, told news reporters that chalk is no different than spray paint, and is akin to any other type of vandalism, saying, “It doesn’t matter what the medium is. It’s offensive”.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled to dismiss charges, after sentencing Mortensen to 50 hours community service. Additionally, Mortensen is expected to pay a fine of $325, and faces a ban from all city parks. In response, angry protesters drew on the courthouse sidewalk with chalk. Many feel comparing chalk, which washes away with water, to graffiti is going too far.
Is drawing on rocks or the sidewalk with chalk vandalism? Do you let your kids use sidewalk chalk? "". ........end of article
Just curious - does anyone know the Marin County law about writing with chalk on sidewalks?
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