To discuss putting an end to this $1 donation kettle-guilt

I consider myself a charitable person.

I've sponsored a child, I've donated clothing, I've watched Ben Affleck movies ...

But I grow tired - nay, weary! - of getting asked if I would like to donate a dollar to fill-in-the-blank charity for orphans/kittens/astronauts, almost every time I check out.*

(* Actually, I would donate to astronauts if that was an option. But not kittens. They'd spend it all on catnip.)

They ask for donations at Wal-mart. They do it at the grocery store. Last night, they did it at Arby's, when all I wanted was a roast beef sandwich and a chance to briefly forget the haunting words of Fast Food Nation for just five minutes.

As I always do, I reply, "No, not today," because that's the best way I can think of to politely tell them "Eff you." I know the cashiers hate asking, too, which makes me feel uncomfortable for them.

Instead of asking all the consumers to donate $1, I'd rather have Wal-mart donate money out of their pockets (Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen designed pockets, no doubt).

Better yet, how about I be given the option to donate $1 to the cashier, who no doubt is underpaid. It feels a little ridiculous for a person who can't afford dental insurance to ask the customers for donations to another charity, doesn't it? I know one cashier who has asked me for that $1 donation for months, all the while getting more and more preggers, to the point that I am fairly certain she was being forced to work while giving birth.

Here's what it comes down to:

You know how I feel about the Salvation Army kettles. Well, this is like getting kettle-guilt year-round, but without the klick-klack of a dented bell.