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Originally Posted by Socks
Why can't americans see beyond their borders? Of course there are problems in the USA, but nobody here thought about that shit when they bought their last fast car, did they? You guys can be self sustaining, but everyone is too selfish. The rich people can always pay for the poor people, but why? It's not sustainable either, of course.
So if you can't pay the poor people to not be poor anymore (give a man a fish, eat for a day, teach him how to fish...) then where should that money be spent? I think squashing malaria in africa is pretty noble of them.
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That's where there is massive communication problem. Other nations contribute globally without bullshit and "self". One of the prime countries to do this is Denmark, who put all other nations to shame. They also do it thru a well-organized framework to provide max benefit. The pro-rata "giving" by both the Dutch people and the government exceeds all other nations.
On self-sustaining.. the ideal is that investment/charity into other nations who are actually in need of it, is that it is self-sustaining and, as much as possible, be the creator of local industry and a source of employment. There is a more urgent level in scenarios where people will be dead the following morning unless they get food to carry them thru.
Of all western countries, unfortunately the US is the least "self sustaining" in that it has never produced a trade surplus since the 60's, has only two areas which do return a trade surplus - wheat and arms. There is obviously a great lack of manufactuing ability or service industry which is competitively "exportable" to other nations to help resolve the massive trade imbalance.
In addition... and a flip side, the US continues to consume 25% of world resources, tho only contains less than 5% of world population. This is also reflected in international borrowings from other nations - in the average region of $10 bill/day. Basically, overall - the US is totally unstainable and it's only a matter of time before this gets severe.
It is rare for any government to take the lead and have the strength to actively address issues of poverty and disease outside their own jurisdiction, - the problem is more than they could handle. However, nations have combined as partners in addressing this - and currently operational in the field in practical terms.
Highlighting of the "third world" has been more the realm of inviduals with a voice. That may be Richard Branson, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, several world leaders and a few ex-world leaders - sometimes combined with a PR celeb face. All have to be commended for raising this issue.
As to how they or their management teams decide to spend incoming revenue is their decision. The issue is addressing global problems not how to feather their own back yard. It is also the case that it involves considerable resources in effectively implementing aid to address both the urgent scenario (people dying of starvation) to the more sustainable side. (There is little hope in hell of anyone on GFY having a clue on this).
It is extemely difficult to establish, effectively a sustainable infrastructure when starting from nothing. Example, a friend returned last year from a period in another country with the brief - "establish as much sustainable infrastructure as possible to kill poverty". He had an unlimited budget from a group of countries. Tho he is only one man - he found it very hard to create an enviorment that is sustainable (tho he's a well-qualified "sustainer"). Eventually he resorted to base level commerical activity with the local population - very willing and eager to make it all work. He could not dispense much funding - the basic stuff cost very little in relative terms, - but that was enough to sow the seed of hope for many people, - and they are apparently progressing well locally with the projects he did start. Bottom line - it's not just the money. It needs a viable framework to put this to use and create "sustainabilty". Governments have little clue or expertise in this area - they can hardly manage their own backyards without a fuckup (Katrina?).
And OK.. got to admit, what you are seeing on this thread may appear to show the US as a "selfish" nation. I'm sure you are seeing little more than pampered spoilt brats and others with dogma attached. The US people are no different to anywhere else - tho their may be a lack of communication/education into the realities of the rest of the world.
Got nothing but praise for anyone.. whether Buffett, Branson or an ex-world leaders who take time out to address global poverty and disease. What nations they come from is irrelevant. It is further admirable that they have taken time out to even think of this issue and highlight it - whether they have personal fortunes or otherwise.