In 1932, E. Y. Harburg wrote the lyrics to what would become the most   
   famous song of the depression era, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"   
   Begging had existed prior to the depression, but during this era of our   
   history it became a means of sustenance for many as they asked their   
   brother man for "a penny, nickel, dime or quarter" for a cup of coffee   
   or some food.   
      
   During the depression era those lucky enough to find a dollar in their   
   pocket could put it to very good use, maybe purchasing a wool sweater   
   to keep warm, taking their whole family to a movie at the local cinema,   
   or visiting the local supermarket to stretch that dollar far enough to   
   feed them for a week.   
      
   In 1932, a single dollar could get you 20 loaves of bread at the corner   
   market. By 1970, it could still get you three loaves of bread. Today,   
   unless you were lucky enough to happen upon a sale at your local   
   supermarket, you might not even be able to purchase a single loaf.   
      
   In 1933 a pound of Maxwell House coffee ran about $.32. Today, it might   
   run you more than a dollar just to get a single cup of coffee.   
      
   A dollar is not what it used to be. As a matter of fact, if we were to   
   rework that famous song by E.Y. Harburg to bring it more up-to-date,   
   the lyrics might now read, "Brother can you spare a dollar," and the   
   panhandler on the corner might be asking his brother man for "a   
   quarter, fifty cents, a dollar or three."   
      
   So can a dollar still work miracles? Yes it can, when combined with   
   others.   
      
   During the depression era countless millions gave their pennies,   
   nickels, dimes and quarters to help those less fortunate then   
   themselves. Those with means helped those without by providing what   
   they could... the "spare" change in their pockets. Those without a dime   
   learned the power of a dime to change their day, their week, and   
   eventually their year.   
      
   You see, the beggars on the corner asking their brother for a dime were   
   there by choice, they had arrived there by a series of catastrophic   
   events which had deteriorated their world to the extent that they had   
   nothing more than the clothes on their back.   
      
   Today, I find myself wondering, what is the power of the dollar? Can   
   it, combined with the charity of others and a holiday spirit of giving,   
   work miracles?   
      
   I need your help. I need your spare dollar if you have one. I am hoping   
   that it, combined with others, can have the power to assist me in a   
   time of need. You do not know me, but I could be your neighbor, a close   
   friend, or even a family member.   
      
   This holiday season I find myself without a home, without a job,   
   without savings and in a place I never would have expected to be in   
   just a short time ago. You see, a year ago I had a wife, I had a   
   quarter of a million dollar home and a growing business - now I have   
   lost all of those things thanks to an alcoholic spouse and a series of   
   unfortunate events.   
      
   As I struggle to rebuild my life during this holiday season I find   
   myself reaching out for help. You see, I was always the one who helped   
   those who could not help themselves. Whether it was handing a dollar to   
   a man on the corner, or paying a friend's mortgage when he found   
   himself without a job for four months, people could count on me without   
   even asking.   
      
   Today I need help and I find myself asking, Brother can you spare a   
   dollar?   
      
   If so, please send me a $1 payment via http://www.paypal.com and   
   forward this message on to other friends and family who might also have   
   a dollar to spare.   
      
   My email address is icoulduseyourhelp@hotmail.com.   
      
   THANK YOU! This is not a scam, and whether you choose to help or not, I   
   appreciate your taking the time to read this.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)