American Express GIveaway Essay by Kyle Gambrell

Posted: 12:00 AM, Thu, Jul 19 2007

This essay was written by Kyle after seeing a commercial promoting a charitable giveaway. He was not asked to do this. He simply did it because he's a hell of a good guy, and he believes in the cause. Unfortunately, we did not make the top 25 finalists, but I'm pretty sure that we were probably #26. Regardless, here's the essay: The Basics Fund By Kyle Gambrell In a world that is continually fed information which is meant to scare and control the people, in which there is a force of people who try to manipulate other’s minds to do only what is best for that force, there is one group of people who continually go against this flow of scare tactics and control. They strive continuously to free the minds of those who will listen and look, to make them reevaluate the situation in which they are in. They do this at their own risk, putting their lives into the mercy of the masses, which can either reject or accept them. These people are musicians, artists, and writers who exercise their minds in ways that will draw others into exercising their own. They can turn the worst of days into the best of days with a simple song played or book read. They bring to light issues which should not and can not be ignored, yet are by the mainstream media. Because these issues are not addressed by the mainstream on a constant basis, these artists have no way of making a living but through the goodwill of people who listen, look, and read their ideas and thoughts. Musicians will only make enough to live if people pay to listen to their music. Artists only if people pay to look at their art. Writers only if people will pay to read what they have to say. This makes things very difficult for budding talent, as they will be very underpaid until they are brought to the attention of the masses. All of these artists take this risk on knowingly, without a clue what will happen to them, if they will ever get to the attention of the masses, yet they continue on their path. As these artists continue on their path, should they be denied the basic security and benefits that everyone who works in the corporate world enjoys on a daily basis? In a job which provides benefits, a person can feel safe knowing that if they get into a car crash, they can go to a doctor who will fix them. They know that if they get sick that they can go to the pharmacy and pick up medication. Yet theses artists who go off the beaten path to enrich the world of all those who live in it live with the knowledge that one slip on a wet sidewalk can ruin them. A visit to the hospital for the uninsured reaches astronomical heights. If an artist runs into these troubles which arise constantly, it can bring an end their career which brings so much light and joy to the world. The financial ruin which can come from a hospital visit for an uninsured person is absolutely devastating. That is why I am recommending that The Basics Fund be considered for your giveaway. The Basics Fund is a nonprofit organization which works on supplying artists which have not had huge success with reliable health insurance. This is a basic benefit which all people should have, but for those who are not in the sphere of “regular” work is not provided. What these artists, writers, and musicians do is no less worthy than the work of a CEO of a major company or a customer service representative for a small company. Yet these workers are given benefits so that they can have the mental security of knowing that if something goes wrong, they have a cushion to fall onto. They have someone who will help. The Basics Fund is trying to provide that cushion for all that aren’t given it by others. They are looking out for the little guy, the one who takes a chance trying to enrich the lives of others. Mother Teresa once said “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.” These artists take this to heart, using their lives to make others better, not taking into account their own well being. That’s what The Basic’s Fund is for, to protect and enrich the lives of those who enrich the lives of others. Please consider making your donation to The Basics Fund, and make the world a more joyous and beautiful place. For more information, please go to: http://www.myspace.com/thebasicsfund