Maggie's Farm

I think you have to understand the history of a racket, and then the answer as to why it becomes one is self-evident.

Years ago, the criminal element and in particular the political machines they associated with would issue rights to certain individuals or groups to have parties. The tickets for these parties were expensive and designed as a form of income for those approved to throw parties. Different individuals had different classes they would cull from and being designated as a person to purchase tickets to a certain party often held a level of prestige. In the movie "Gangs of New York", this is alluded to with Bill the Butcher's party to celebrate his victory over Priest Vallon.

No doubt Bill's party was a very desirable one, and no doubt he made a very healthy living from the sale of those tickets.

The parties themselves were often boisterous affairs, and made a 'racket', and the parties themselves became known as 'rackets'.

When you consider how fundraising is done today, the parties and giveaways to 'support' some 'great cause', you see the parallel. While buying a ticket is no longer required, the guilt of not purchasing a ticket is enough to assure the very best of society buy, and attend, these events.

It's part of being with the 'in crowd' to support whatever cause has the best party or giveaways for the donation you're making.

When you think about actually dealing with any 'great cause', what you really need is the people with a desire to make a difference, and a bit of cash to assist in meeting that goal.

Today, what that really means is just having the cash, and attacking your goal in as splashy and media-driven a manner as possible. The best way to get money is to just ask for a donation. But who wants to give $1,000 when they can buy a ticket to a PR event and have their picture on a magazine or website homepage if they pay $5,000 and get a 'free' goody bag for attending?

The racket today is still the same - raising money through the purchase of a good, product or service. The main difference is that today the 'requirement' is simply guilt, and the payoff is the good press you get personally for attending and being seen as a 'positive force in society'.

Meanwhile, the actual volunteers doing the work and really making a difference will be ignored. They are not important to 'the cause'.