Sinful7

[quote name='Amy' date='Jun 8 2005, 08:19 AM']we try to put bandaids on everything (other countries) rather than really try to fix it, and at that whose to say our solution is theirs? Our government and ideals that we try to force on the rest of the world isn't the answer. Sometimes we need to realize there are many different ways to life and the American way may not be the best or fullest lived - and thus should not try to force it on everyone else.


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*runs and hides from the Man*

treceb

im with you....

PhoenixDownVII

[quote name='Amy' date='Jun 8 2005, 11:16 AM']Do you ever wonder if our interferences have made their lives harder and not better?


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No. Not at all.



The only "interference" are scammers and people that are taking advantage of money that is helping these countries, which has lessened our strength in helping them, but certainly the money and help that does go through doesn't make their life "harder"....



It's like anything else in life, there will be people that try to take advantage of you. When trying to sell my Mr2-Turbo, I got those "I will give you the money and you ship it to Kenya!" offers, but did it deter me from selling my car to someone eventually? No.



We have to get past these generalizations that fuel distaste and a lack of compassion and rather find the drive and passion to do these things RIGHT, in TRUTH, and really make a difference. That's part of what this organization is all about.



These Africans are people too, I couldn't fathom seeing you Sinful or you Banzai, sit next to a little baby and just watch it die. I know I can't. And just because I am removed from them by latitude and longitude doesn't mean I can just ignore it myself. I just can't.



I give money, like you do Amy, to the gov't through my paycheck (taxes). But less than 1% of our nations spending go's towards these efforts. Yes, we have problems at home, and not only do I pay taxes but I also tithe through Church that does tons of things locally, but these are human lives on the line, it's just too important to pass up for me.



But make it what you will, I just wanted to post that the opportunity is there, and to perhaps think outside of your assumptions, as I've contested with others about God in the past in that somehow the Bible is "Contradictary", among other things.

PhoenixDownVII

[quote name='Amy' date='Jun 8 2005, 11:19 AM']we try to put bandaids on everything (other countries) rather than really try to fix it, and at that whose to say our solution is theirs? Our government and ideals that we try to force on the rest of the world isn't the answer. Sometimes we need to realize there are many different ways to life and the American way may not be the best or fullest lived - and thus should not try to force it on everyone else.


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While democracy is a small part of it, the money and aide is in the form of medicine and money itself so that they can LIVE. Again, the aide is in the form of proven solutions such as vaccine's and clean water that we know work here at home, that they simply don't have...to LIVE.



Democracy, religion is a whole 'nother subject as to which they may need but is based on intrepretation, but the idea that they lack food and water and an income isn't desputable...wouldn't you agree?

Sinful7

I actually resent the fact that we provide such extreme health care for people in this country. I'm a big fan of 'live and let die.' But that's just me. I don't think it's my job or God's will for me to help these people get out of the mess they put themselves into. It's NOT my fault their governments suck. It's NOT my fault they can't think far enough in advance (be it ignorance or indifference) to know that masturbation is probably best. And it's definetly NOT my problem that the 1% given to third world countries by our government is squandered. I do my part to be a productive part of this world. That's my contribution to the cause.



In fact, I attribute most of those area's problems to charitable organizations spreading themselves too thin, trying to save too many people. Their presence is just enough to bring the indiginous' minds hope and the illusion that care will continue to be provided.. When in reality, - and think about this very thorughly - there is no amount of money that can save these peoples.



At best, taken as a whole, the suffering of very FEW will be reduced.



That if any person in the world deserves to suffer less, it is the woman who was raped last night in an alley downtown. Or the child that got beaten for not getting the beer fast enough. Or the homeless guy on the corner, right outside my building, sleeping on a steam vent.



It's terrible that there are places in the world that cannot ever recover from their hardships. My prayer is that those people take charge of their own lives, or die quickly and not suffer.



Funding third-world charitable organizations is only prolonging the inevitable and provoking the unethical.



But you should go ahead and sign up for One.. Bono needs your help.

banzaitoyota

But if you help Bono help the world, who will help Sally save the childen?

Sinful7

[quote name='banzaitoyota' date='Jun 8 2005, 09:44 AM']But if you help Bono help the world, who will help Sally save the childen?


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I find it hard to help organizations to 'save the children' that hire spokespeople that have children themselves, and thus are contributing to the problem.

Sinful7

If they had a 'save the smart poor people' fund, where smart folks (especially children) needed financial aide and were able to rank in the genius level on an IQ test, I would donate there. At least there would be a potential payoff and the contribution would be an investment in the world, not a blatant disposal of money.

PhoenixDownVII

Okay, sinful7, part of the problem is they CAN'T get smart or do anything for themselves because they need the money and medicine to do so. It is simply out of there reach, their control. They can't plant a flower that will cure them, and they can't pull money out of trees. They are isolated and just in need of help to survive.



Again, your posing propaganda as an excuse to try and do something different. I am sure Bono and the like are aware of organizations and funding that doesn't even reach these people, and are furious about it so they are trying to take matters into their own hands (as you said, do it yourself), but it's still something we need more participants in, that's all.



The fact is, there is an amount of money that can save these people. Have you looked at the facts, on what is required monetarily? Or the success rate of medicine that gets delivered? I believe there are some links and research off that site.



I'm not really trying to convince you, as is you've made up your mind. But you can't blame me for tryin eh...

Baldy

I see MTV's Cribs, then a commercial with that celebrity asking me to give money. Why don't you sell one of your several multi-million dollar homes, and donate that. Rather than asking us struggling middle and lower class people to give up our hard-earned cash. Your luxury is you very own starbucks in your kitchen, your in-home recording studio, your sweet exotic cars, my luxury is a take-out meal from a decent Italian restaurant.



If someone's going to ask me to give money, it better not be a damned million-dollar celebrity.