Why I am kicking into the DU tip jar [View all]

It's not like it's tax-deductible. In fact, it costs me four times in gross salary to make the contribution that I did make (unfortunate holes in the Double Taxation Treaty between Germany and the USA).

And, DU lives in the real world, not the world of the imaginary Denmark or Finland where everything is "free (no, Bernie, it isn't)." So you guys of the DU management know better than most that everything has to be paid for, one way or another. DU has no access to some federal fund where tax money flows to help meet expenses. Therefore, I'll kick in what I can spare, and then a little. There are certainly enough people on here with whom I have disagreements, but, like the reason I'm still working full time at age 73--I don't want to be bored. I'm betting there are plenty of people on DU who would like to contribute some money, but just can't. Some people are right on the edge. I salute them for their struggle, and feel that if I can, I should, because some day, I could be in their position (I hope not, but who knows?), and I would hope that someone who can, will fill the shoes I choose to wear now.

Kudos not to any one person, but to those who would have contributed if they could have, but just can't spare it.