Dunkin Donuts Donation

I was in Dunkin Donuts with my daughter this past weekend. When I paid for the coffee and accesories I dropped the change in the tip jar as is my custom. Not a great gesture by any means, but I don't want to carry the change.

My daughter spotted and "Katrina" donation box on the counter and asked why I did not put the money in there instead. My response was that residents in the Gulf Coast have plenty of money thanks to the guilt-ridden George Bush. In fact, they probably have too much money.

I have heard estimates that Louisiana is looking for $50B. New Orleans has (had) a population of 1.2M. Add area residents and you are looking a per capita contribution between $15K-$25K per person. Sounds like a lot of money to me. How much is too much? Also, how much of the $50B get skimmed by the political machine in the Big Easy?

Anyway, dropping in 35 cents into the donation box seems silly given the "aid" that will be coming from my other pocket in the form of federal taxes.