oldksnarc Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Don't get me wrong. I'll be the first one to lend a helping hand. And, I don't have a problem with holding a concert to bring attention to the plight of the world's poor. However, where the **** do these celebrities get off saying that 8 countries can solve the world's poverty problem. First off, it's not the leaders of the G-8 who will foot the bill - it's the citizens of those countries that will do so through taxes. Second, if this issue is so close to the hearts of the celebrities, where's their checkbook? Third, of the $50 billion in foreign loans forgiven by the G-8 members, what percent of that was U.S. aid compared to that of the French and some of the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... My MSN name for the past three days has been "Bono, please shut the heck up!" It is easy for rich musicians to say forgive debts, but do they understand global economics? There are national budgets, pension plans, investment plans etc. that all rely on these loans and interest payments. Cancelling all of Africa's debts is not just going to suddenly fix everything, it will creat major financial chaos. Also, it may sound harsh, but until people in these countries stop having 10 children that they can't feed giving away money will do nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... world wide welfare.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] My MSN name for the past three days has been "Bono, please shut the heck up!" It is easy for rich musicians to say forgive debts, but do they understand global economics? There are national budgets, pension plans, investment plans etc. that all rely on these loans and interest payments. Cancelling all of Africa's debts is not just going to suddenly fix everything, it will creat major financial chaos. Also, it may sound harsh, but until people in these countries stop having 10 children that they can't feed giving away money will do nothing. [/ QUOTE ] Get ready for the rapture guys, it's comming soon. I can tell cause I've agreed with sluggo and fisherguy in the same month. Two words: Selective sterilization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... My wife worked for 7 years for the Department of Human Services. There are programs for everyone here in the us. People on the street are there because they want to, because they are ignorant of the programs, or because they are too proud or lazy to walk into an office and ask for help. I've got a friend that I went to HS that recently hurt his back and got on temporary dissability. After his disability check, they get their utilities paid, $517 in cash assistance and $550 a month in food stamps. He's eating better now than I am. My point. There is no reason for hunger in America, we are already doing enough here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... John, Ive had dealings with the government assistance before.Did you know that some of the programs theres such a thing as not making enough money to qualify.Health cares one instance, my grandmas retired, gets a little tiny SS check every month and about 40$ worth of foodstamps.She had to go in for some sort of hospitalization a couple years ago.Her insurance didnt cover everything, she couldnt make up the difference with her meager income and when she applied for help they told her that her income was to low to qualify for it So whos it there for? Theyre generous with foodstamps but they dont do you much good without housing.They got programs where the government pays out checks every month but the way theyre set up is a joke, and the checks not big enough to rent anything. Theres low rent housing but again you gotta be able to pay the rent to get in, and you gotta have a permanent address to get a job.They kinda cancel each other out. All these programs take time to qualify for, if youve lost everything you own times not a luxury a lotta people have. It dont have anything to do with being lazy, or ignorant about the programs in some, actually probably a lotta cases.You start dealing with the state and its very screwed up system.Of course you got guys who also look down there noses at those in need of assistance and in the next breath thier talking about how the programs are some kinda great benefit.That kinda stuff also drives a lotta people away from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard [/ QUOTE ] Don't get me started on that! This craze with people adopting foreign infants is driving me nuts! Do these people not realize how many children in their own country are on orphanages, or foster homes and such? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard [/ QUOTE ] Horst, I feel the same way and we will leave it at that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard [/ QUOTE ] Horst, I feel the same way and we will leave it at that [/ QUOTE ] Actors and actresses get much better publicity knowing that when they appear on the news, in another country (probably a vacation), with some less fortunate, they get better media response and coverage, and then the public talks more about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard [/ QUOTE ] Horst, I feel the same way and we will leave it at that [/ QUOTE ] Actors and actresses get much better publicity knowing that when they appear on the news, in another country (probably a vacation), with some less fortunate, they get better media response and coverage, and then the public talks more about it. [/ QUOTE ] Ken is probably right on track here. All about what gets them the most attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... Even if the world could spend a ton of money to bring Africa into the 21st century, it wouldn't matter. With corrupt governments, dictatorships, and warlords running vast expanses of the continent, that money only benefits the wicked if you ask me. horst, I understand exactly what you're saying about your grandmother's situation. Government programs are supposed to help people like her--and there might be more money for them if we weren't paying to educate illegal aliens, paying for their health care, paying for abortions, giving money to those who really ARE too lazy to work. These people are the ones who make a well-intentioned system a joke. Unfortunately, though, your grandmother's a minority--most in the system from my observations do indeed abuse it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] Of course you got guys who also look down there noses at those in need of assistance and in the next breath thier talking about how the programs are some kinda great benefit.That kinda stuff also drives a lotta people away from it. [/ QUOTE ] I don't look down my nose at anyone who needs assistance, I just think it's vastly misused by people who don't need it. You did say something that I didn't think of. The state you live in does have a lot to do with the programs that you can qualify for. Here in Arkansas your grandmother would qualify for state housing. Most towns here, even very small ones, have housing for the elderly that is based on income, even if it is $0 then she would still qualify. Most of the one's I've seen are very well maintained and close to the center of town, or provide transportation to places around town. I think it's a shame that your grandmother is in this situation. It sounds to me like your state just doesn't offer as much assistance to the aging than Arkansas. A lot of things also depends on the indiviual case worker that she may have gotten when she applied. My wife's parents are both in their 80's so she has a soft spot for the elderly. When she got someone in her office she made sure that they applied for everything that she thought they would qualify for, and she made sure that thier paperwork was done correctly. Her clients on average got a lot more assistance than the people who went to the girl in the next office who had a different attitude toward the elderly. She didn't care, so her clients often ended up not get much if any assistance. I know that's not the way it should be, but that's the way it is. My advice would be to have her try agian, and see what's out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... 30 years ago, sally struthers (all in the family) made great pleading commercials about how for only 20 cents a day, we could feed a hungry child. i just wonder how many of these starving children were nurtured into good health.... and how many of those once kids are now the thugs who killed our soldiers in samalia. in fact, i haven't heard any of the millions of supposed saved souls sticking up for those who fed them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] I don't look down my nose at anyone who needs assistance, I just think it's vastly misused by people who don't need it. You did say something that I didn't think of. The state you live in does have a lot to do with the programs that you can qualify for. [/ QUOTE ] Dont get me wrong John, I wasnt even refering to you with that, it was just a general observation about how most people act when discussing welfare.And I agree totally that theres a lotta people that abuse it. I know a farmer here whos one of the bigger farmers in the area.He farms tons of land, has the latest fanciest equipment, and theyve got bin after bin of corn and beans.But hes in the farming game with his brothers, even though hes got 3/4 of million dollars worth of equipment in his yard its all leased and nothings in his name.The grounds all leased he farms or owned by the family, again nothing in his name.Hes sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of crops in those bins and drawing food stamps, medical for his whole family,on top of his farming subsidies.hes worth a lotta money, but on paper he can make it look like hes broke without really violating any laws the way its all set up.Hes effectively having all his bills payed by taxpayers and everything he makes off the farm goes for thier own personal use. I also know people that have two or three kids, both parents work, one or the other holds down two jobs, and they still cant pay thier bills, they also dont qualify for assistance.Its a very screwed up system, those that know how to play it make out very well, and a lotta those that genuinely need it cant get it. Talking about case workers weve got 2 for this half of the county, theyre so overloaded with people they know nothing about anyones actual situation and only go by what they have on paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] I also know people that have two or three kids, both parents work, one or the other holds down two jobs, and they still cant pay thier bills, they also dont qualify for assistance.Its a very screwed up system, those that know how to play it make out very well, and a lotta those that genuinely need it cant get it. [/ QUOTE ] Think most of us can relate to this Chris. Seems to me like there are almost incentives of sorts for people who use and abuse the system, then those who do need it cannot get any help becuase what they have which they have worked to get. Burns me up to see the welfare person with a caddy with rims and a sound system taking their food stamps in. Tennessee has assistance for those lower or no income families who have kids in the way of childcare and preschool programs. Our wonderful governor said all kids age 4 should get to go to preschool. What he meant to say was all people with no or low income's kids should get to go. Why does someone who does not work need their kids kept for free. We tried to get our 4 year in pre school and we dont qualify, because we make too much money, but the piece of crap sitting at home watching springer drawing all the benes on us kids do get to go ??? Whats wrong with this picture . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BuckMaster058 Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... To be honest and truthful with you all my parents aren't the richest. And went to get some sort of assistance and they had the nerve to say in order for them to get it they had to sell both there vehicles because they were to new. There are alot of ppl abusing the system and are to lazy to work and I am one that is not about to bust my butt while some lazy jerk sits at home collecting off of what you and I make. So what I'm trying to say is I agree with alot of you in here. But what can we do to better the system? Any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] However, where the **** do these celebrities get off saying that 8 countries can solve the world's poverty problem. First off, it's not the leaders of the G-8 who will foot the bill - it's the citizens of those countries that will do so through taxes. Second, if this issue is so close to the hearts of the celebrities, where's their checkbook? [/ QUOTE ] Does this mean we shouldn't try to help poorer nations. Correct me if I am wrong but you and plenty of other people on here have no problem with destroying and then rebuilding a country on the basis of non-existent WMD's and has never attacked us. There's plenty of our tax dollars going to that, that's why we have the biggest budget deficit in the history of this country. Celebrities like to toot their own horns a lot, thats obvious, but celebrities also bring to light many issues that would otherwise go unheeded and there are plenty out there who donate more money than you or I will ever see in our lifetimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] Does this mean we shouldn't try to help poorer nations. Correct me if I am wrong but you and plenty of other people on here have no problem with destroying and then rebuilding a country on the basis of non-existent WMD's and has never attacked us. [/ QUOTE ] LMAO, oohhh man, thats funny.Never attacked us I reckon them guys in the turbans that keep blowing stuff up and flying planes into things must be swedish terrorists then.Last time I listened to the news theyre still lining up to shoot people and blow our troops up with car/suicide bombs over there. I can see your point about the rebuilding part though, with that many oil wells we shoulda let them pay for it, after all we did return the country to the people that live there.As much as im paying for gas they coulda at least footed the bill for that much.Oh well, Im sure things were better over there with Saddam in charge You crack me up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leatherneck Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] You know what kills me.All the commercials you see on Tv are of these starving african children or some desiese ridden African villages.What are we doing sending aid to people overseas when we got people in our own country sleeping in cardboard boxes and eating outta dumpsters.Must make people feel better to help out some 3rd world country and ignore the same problem in thier own back yard [/ QUOTE ] Don't get me started on that! This craze with people adopting foreign infants is driving me nuts! Do these people not realize how many children in their own country are on orphanages, or foster homes and such? [/ QUOTE ] Not to start something, but the comment about foreign kids hits home for me. My Dad and stepmom adopted my sister from Russia, and she is by far one of the best things to happen to our family. She was 8 months old when they went to get her, and literaly saved her life. It should not matter where the child comes from it is still a human life. I am very honored to have her as my little sister, and love her very much. We are all equal and all deserve the same rights, and if someone wants to help a child no matter where they are from, then I applaude them. Sorry that just struck home with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] LMAO, oohhh man, thats funny.Never attacked us I reckon them guys in the turbans that keep blowing stuff up and flying planes into things must be swedish terrorists then. [/ QUOTE ] Thats right, I forgot, the 9/11 hijackers were mostly Iraqi, and not members of the worst human rights violating country of Saudi Arabia. Yep, Saddam Hussein masterminded and ordered the 9/11 attacks when he had no ties to Al Qaeda. There's two different wars going on over there, I only have a problem with the second one. Luckily for George Bush and Co., he has succesfully melded them into one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderpancake Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... Like it or not, the war on terror is in Afghanistan and in Iraq. What do you call people who walk around in plainclothes and blow themselves up in a group of their own fellow citizens? Those psychos are WMD's enough in themselves to justify liberating Iraq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... [ QUOTE ] Thats right, I forgot, the 9/11 hijackers were mostly Iraqi, and not members of the worst human rights violating country of Saudi Arabia. Yep, Saddam Hussein masterminded and ordered the 9/11 attacks when he had no ties to Al Qaeda. There's two different wars going on over there, I only have a problem with the second one. Luckily for George Bush and Co., he has succesfully melded them into one. [/ QUOTE ] From what most of the media is saying, the vast majority of the terrorist fighting in Iraq are not Iraqi people. If that's where they are, then wouldn't it make sence that that's where we should be fighting. I don't think any of the middle eastern countries can be trusted as far as I can throw a $70 barrel of oil. But we're fighting the ones right now that want us dead and are comeing after us, what's wrong with that? As I've said befor, if they want to fight I'd rather us be doing it somewhere else. I'd much rather be paying $2.20 a gallon for my gas than worrying about being shot or blown up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... This thread has seemed to stray from the original subject? Thought this thread was about giving aid to people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 25, 2005 Report Share Posted July 25, 2005 Re: Am I wrong here..... can't believe i'm still reading that "no weapons of mass destruction" dribble. what was it that killed millions of iraquies? what was it that the u. n spent 10 years looking for, and hundreds of millions of dollars. quit already with the worn out montra, and face reality. there were, and probably are, weapons of mass destruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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