Im really getting tired of all the hype, as well intentioned as it may be, to end world poverty. In my opinion, noone has a realistic strategy for dealing with it. The fact is that the majority of the world population are subsistance farmers. Subsistance farmers as a rule are poor. Poverty becomes an issue because subsistance farmers employees are their children…they have huge familys to support them and counter high mortality rate and as a result you have overpopulation. Providing food relief doesnt solve anything, it just prolongs the problems. Debt relief doesnt solve the anything, because unscrupulous creditors and 3rd world heads of state will always be their to milk the coffers of 3rd world nations.
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th June 2005 at 12:54
Lets give it time, see how it goes. These folk deserve a chance to live. If their countries debt is cleared, maybe they can challenge their Government. Ask where the money is going, stop corruption, help themselves build a life…….
dme
Fair comment DME, but the problem comes when you consider that many of the African governments are not as democratic as those that we’re used to, nor are the country infrastructures set up to allow the people to challenge power in the way that we do.
Therefore we end up with the same old story; well-meaning people in the west dipping into their pockets to ‘help the third world’ (or if I’m being cynical, make ourselves feel a bit less guilty about the comparitive standard of living that we enjoy), the money goes off to africa, where surprise surprise it gets turned into ornate luxuries for the corrupt officials, weapons for the militia, and a token gesture of some food aid for some of the people who really need it.
I have two things to say about this, and I will continue to hold these two views until such time as these ‘impoverished’ nations sort their priorities out:
1 – Charity begins at home.
2 – You cannot help those who do not want to help themselves.
Which is why MY charity pounds only ever go into ex-servicemens charities, childrens charities, and cancer research, HERE IN THE UK.
By: Moggy C - 29th June 2005 at 12:48
Will any other of the GD mod’s be taking this action ?
Can’t speak for the other newbies. I was a pretty light poster here anyway so it is no great hardship for me. I’m sure the Mods who were voted in by the GD forum will contribute as usual.
Moggy
Moderator
By: J Boyle - 29th June 2005 at 04:27
A minor suggestion…In addition to erasing debt, why don’t the rock stars promote birth control measures in countries that can’t produce enough food to keep its people from starving?
Never mind…Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, etc, etc, seemingly have never heard of birth control. :rolleyes:
By: mixtec - 28th June 2005 at 20:44
Lets give it time, see how it goes. These folk deserve a chance to live. If their countries debt is cleared, maybe they can challenge their Government. Ask where the money is going, stop corruption, help themselves build a life…….
dme
Better yet, lets give up on being PC and first demand that governments show accoutablitiy for the money that is being used to pay debt, and then clear the debt once formal contract on use of that money is being made.
By: sparky - 28th June 2005 at 19:54
After Live8 if something comes out of all the hype and they eradicated poverty in Africa. Will the next Live9? be about eradicating corrupt Africa Governments and tyrants?
By: Moggy C - 28th June 2005 at 19:48
You’re right mixtec, let’s just sit back and carry on letting 50,000 Aficans die every day.
Excuse the nitpicking. 30,000 is the accepted figure.
I don’t know whether to feel good that I just saved 20,000 lives or bad because 30,000 is an apalling figure :confused:
I’ve decided I feel bad. 30 would be too many.
To save lives I’ll even put up with Saint Bob and his air of sole occupancy of every available high ground. Just don’t expect me to watch a concert full of self-serving celebs.
Moggy
Apologies. I said I wouldn’t post on here since assuming a moderator role for GD. Consider this my farewell post.
By: DME - 28th June 2005 at 19:30
Who are we kidding by assuming that cancelation of debt will free up money to be used for helping people. It doesnt work that way, your living in storybook land if you think it does. The fact is that african nations themselves are taking harsh meaures against there own people to curb populations growth.
Lets give it time, see how it goes. These folk deserve a chance to live. If their countries debt is cleared, maybe they can challenge their Government. Ask where the money is going, stop corruption, help themselves build a life…….
dme
By: Ren Frew - 28th June 2005 at 19:14
Who are we kidding by assuming that cancelation of debt will free up money to be used for helping people. It doesnt work that way, your living in storybook land if you think it does. The fact is that african nations themselves are taking harsh meaures against there own people to curb populations growth.
You’re right mixtec, let’s just sit back and carry on letting 50,000 Aficans die every day. What good are they to the world anyway ? 😡
By: mixtec - 28th June 2005 at 18:56
Is the whole point of this event not to waive the repayments? If so then folk can eat, can get medicine and can live.
Who are we kidding by assuming that cancelation of debt will free up money to be used for helping people. It doesnt work that way, your living in storybook land if you think it does. The fact is that african nations themselves are taking harsh meaures against there own people to curb populations growth.
By: DME - 28th June 2005 at 18:00
Is the whole point of this event not to waive the repayments? If so then folk can eat, can get medicine and can live.
A farmer may live in poverty, but it is all relative. The farmer can live, these young kids are going to die, and die young. You’ll never stop poverty, but they may well save alot of lives…………..
dme
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June 28, 2005 at 5:50 pm