Friday 16 November 2012

What Is a Gift? - Hurricane Sandy

On Monday, NYCHA chairman John Rhea visited a public housing complex that had been without power, water, or heat since Hurricane Sandy.

He told the residents they would be required to pay full rent despite having no services, but that they'd get a rent credit in January, calling it "a nice little Christmas present."

It seems that Rhea needs a lesson in what constitutes a present and what doesn't.

First, what a gift isn't.

If you give someone something you stole from them, it's not a gift. If you give someone money you owe them, it's not a gift. If you wrongfully collect rent, knowing your tenants can legally refuse to pay because you're not providing basic services, and then you give part of that rent back two months later -- that's certainly not a gift.

No comments: