Despite 30 per cent fewer stories due to a drop in donations – EUROPE RENAISSANCE keeps publishing real news. One of the great ironies of our times is that for the first time in one hundred years or more is that we citizens in the Western Alliance are unaffected by war. There is no conscription or loss of loved ones.

This generation was more charitable than today’s have it all selfish generation

In terms of personal income 95 per cent are comfortable middle class with nice expensive cars and full fridges. Their children are well-dressed, fashionable and often doted on with Smartphones and designer clothes. They take holidays and dine out in pleasing restaurants. In terms of personal security, we enjoy reasonably well-paid jobs and benefit from modern healthcare others can only dream of.

No jobs, no benefits, more actively helped those in need

But in terms of donating to worthy causes the same people are morally impoverished, grasping and selfish. They are much less willing to offer support than were the generations that went before us.

It is not that people today are against charity or slavery. They love charity – watch their outstretched hands when there is a free offer. As an eight-year-old, my brother and I walked several miles to receive free biscuits at a missionary Church in Liverpool. The communities were dirt poor but helped each other in times of real distress. The politically minded worked out charity events to help their leaders and their parties. We dined off ration books until 1954, which was 10 years after the end of World War II.

Today they will drive a few extra miles to a cut-price fuel station and supermarket that has stuff on special offer. Watch them at a barbeque: they behave like the poor of the workhouse.

Free newspapers, they will grasp at several copies, and download free download books whilst spurning the authors or those in genuine need. This includes those who for a pittance (or less) work hard to publish online media – like Europe Renaissance. They might donate a ‘like’ or make a free comment.

They’ll steal a Schnaps at their restaurant but never tip the waiters. Freebies are always welcome. They visit supermarkets and department stores for cheap overpriced clothes they don’t need and made by sweatshop serfs in Far Eastern sweatshops.

Dick Turpin the highwayman: “Your money or your life.” Despairingly, the editor of an online news platform will often turn to his wife and say that most today would happily forfeit their lives than give to a worthy cause.

As Robert Burns (1759-1796) surmised: ‘The greatest gift that God can give us; to see ourselves as others see us.’

Enjoy the latest news stories from the shoestring-budget Europe Renaissance. If you would like to help out – as six wonderful people did in June – why not do something that will make you proud when you look in the mirror? A last irony: it is easier to donate today than ever been before, contact Michael (Walsh) at keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com

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