American Idol – Contest or Charity Scam?

I know this is politically incorrect, but last night’s American Idol show that centered on their charity works pretty much turned my stomach. 

On the surface their charitable activities seem to be well intentioned, but I often wonder who is really behind these massive undertakings. Do we really know who is administering the non-profit organization that will be responsible for distributing the funds?  And I have a few other questions too:

How much of the money comes off the top for administrative costs?

How much money actually reaches the poor people who need help?

Is there a government agency that is providing oversight?

My biggest concern was the fact that the charities were trying to do too much.  In one case it was feeding school children in Africa.  In another it was providing food and shelter for the displaced poor due to Katrina. The next time they were back in Africa dealing with orphan children.  Then we are back in the USA dealing with poor children’s schools and after-school clubs.  Then we are back in Africa dealing with children and adults dying from AIDS/HIV. 

It went on and on and on.  Fifty-plus million dollars sounds like a lot of money, but when it is spread out across at least two continents, a dozen countries, and hundreds of charities, what real good will it do?  My guess is that most of the money will go to pay the expenses of the celebrities that are traveling all over the world and getting their pictures taken and the administrators of the charities.

Do you really think that Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell spent one night in one of those orphanages or mud huts in Africa?  Do you think they flew to Nigeria and Mozambique in economy class? Do you think they ate the rancid pork and gruel that the Africans had to pass off as food? 

Where do you think Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul stayed when they went to New Orleans or in some of the cities in the south?  Motel 6?  Did they drive there in a compact rental car?

All of the money raised for Farm Aid, Live Aid, the “We Are the World” song and video has simply evaporated and no one seems to know where those funds were actually spent.  Celebrities put on benefit concerts all the time, often donating their performance fees and covering the costs of their bands and support teams.  They should be thanked and praised for their generosity.  But have you ever met one single poor or disabled person that can say that they got a single dollar from one of these benefit concerts?

I am so frustrated when I hear about poor Americans who try to get help from local government entities and private aid groups, but always seem to get turned away.  With all of the money that is raised for charities every year, there should not be a single starving person in this country.