Everybody knows the explosion of the deficit has nothing to do with Obama
No. No they don't. There are a lot of people trying very hard to prevent everybody from understanding the actual problems, and they're doing a pretty good job of it.
My grandfather always used to tell me that he would die before he ever gave to the Red Cross. When he was in Korea, the Red Cross used to show up and sell soldiers coffee and donuts (at a profit, no less). No money meant no coffee and donuts for you, G.I.
I'm not disparaging their work (I don't know enough to comment on that). I'm just saying that they need to be much more upfront with people about where their money is actually going.
Ten seconds on Snopes; http://www.snopes.com/medical/emergent/redcross.asp
There is truth to one of the rumors, however. During WWII the American Red Cross did indeed charge American servicemen for coffee, doughnuts, and lodging. However, it did so because the U.S. Army asked it to, not because it was determined to make a profit off homesick dogfaces.
It's not useless, and it's not perfect. Not a terrible idea though.
The end of labor is to gain leisure.