| Posted By |
Message |
Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
The poor and needy
Our country and its people spend quite a lot of time, money and energy helping out the poor and needy people all over the world. Yet we have soooo many of these people in our own country.
I had asked a friend once if they were going to give money to help the tsunami victims....she said no. She felt we need to help our country first before helping the poor and needy elsewhere....
DO you agree with this ?
ETA...meaning do you agree that this country should be spending its money helping our own citizens before doing that for the same kind of people all over the world...
Message edited 1/19/2006 2:42:18 PM.
|
Posted 1/19/06 2:40 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
|
|
Re: The poor and needy
I think we should spend more money helping our own citizens. It's been heartening to me to see the generosity of ordinary people, but the government needs to focus on our country, not others. Especially since it seems to me that other countries are not always appreciative. I know that the rest of the world does not America-bash, but sometimes I feel that way. I sometimes wonder if terrorists would be less focused on us if we just minded our own business. Obviously, I am crossing the line into other policy matters, but I think if we just kept to ourselves we'd be able to solve our problems more effectively.
JMO.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:44 PM |
| |
|
dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: The poor and needy
No, I think we can afford to do both.
However, I will say that DH and I talked about donating to the Tsumani victims and we just never did. But, when Katrina happened, we donated right away. I think seeing poverty first hand really affects people in a much stronger way than when it is in a distant land.
Also, I have a difficult time handling the fact that in this country, there are people who go to bed hungry, regardless of what their lifestyle or situation is. There is no excuse for it in a country as wealthy as ours, especially when a lot of them are children. I think when people get outraged about things closer to home, they are more inclined to do something about it.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:46 PM |
| |
|
Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
|
Re: The poor and needy
as much as I can sypathize with the problems of the rest of the world...I think we need to concentrate on problems at home before helping the rest of the world. We can not begin to help the rest of the world if our country isnt strong.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:47 PM |
| |
|
Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
|
Re: The poor and needy
I do think we need to spend more $ on our own citizens. Do you realize that 3rd world countries have better literacy rates than we do? We also have hunger and extreme poverty. There are so many homeless, and that's just what we see. The domestic violence shelters have to turn women away and back to their abusers because there is not enough room. We are also losing the battle of education.
I also wonder, how many countries and/or private foreign citizens gave us $ during Katrina. I don't know- its not an accusation. It would be interesting to learn.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:48 PM |
| |
|
CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by dpli
Also, I have a difficult time handling the fact that in this country, there are people who go to bed hungry, regardless of what their lifestyle or situation is. There is no excuse for it in a country as wealthy as ours, especially when a lot of them are children. I think when people get outraged about things closer to home, they are more inclined to do something about it.
I completely agree. I also like to donate to "grassroot" charities as opposed to the Redcross. I do that because the smaller charities don't have the incredible fundraising power and in some instances, more money goes to the cause.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:49 PM |
| |
|
Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by dpli
No, I think we can afford to do both.
.
our country is billions of dollars in debt...how can we afford both?
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:52 PM |
| |
|
BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
|
Re: The poor and needy
If I knew that poverty could be completely eliminated here -- I've read that it could...I forget the numbers exactly but basically our country IS rich enough to eliminate poverty here -- then I would say take care of the problem here first and then move on to helping others.
But, we all know that's not going to happen  . So we might as well be helping others as well as ourselves.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:53 PM |
| |
|
dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by Redhead
Posted by dpli
No, I think we can afford to do both.
.
our country is billions of dollars in debt...how can we afford both?
I think in terms of time, money and energy, like you mentioned before. I am not saying that the government alone should shell out all the $ needed, but they can encourage other wealthy nations to forgive debt. There are a lot of non-governmental agencies that do a lot of good work using donations that people in this country contribute and expertise that American citizens have and are willing to contribute (a few I am thinking of is doctors without borders, habitat for humanity, etc.) I think the best of these groups are those who can help poor countries better care for themselves.
I understood your question to mean what we can do as a nation and as individuals, not just what our government can do 
Message edited 1/19/2006 3:05:42 PM.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 2:58 PM |
| |
|
momAGAIN
so outrageous
Member since 7/05 3853 total posts
Name:
TJ
|
Re: The poor and needy
I agree we have enough needy, homeless, hungry people to worry about in our own country
Message edited 1/19/2006 3:03:23 PM.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 3:02 PM |
| |
|
Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by MrsProfessor
I think we should spend more money helping our own citizens. It's been heartening to me to see the generosity of ordinary people, but the government needs to focus on our country, not others. Especially since it seems to me that other countries are not always appreciative. I know that the rest of the world does not America-bash, but sometimes I feel that way. I sometimes wonder if terrorists would be less focused on us if we just minded our own business. Obviously, I am crossing the line into other policy matters, but I think if we just kept to ourselves we'd be able to solve our problems more effectively.
JMO.
I AGREE!!!!
|
| Posted 1/19/06 4:13 PM |
| |
|
BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
|
Re: The poor and needy
if you help another country, another country will help you in the event somthing happens to us.
When Katrina and WTC, others (countries) helped us out with geneous donations.
fact of life says there will always be someone poor, hungry etc... As much as the gov't controls our lives, at the end people have decsions to make weather they want to make there life worth living.
keep in mind, there are people that rather be on the streets then get help from the city or even there family. And there are some that put themselves in a sitautions that they can't handle and depend on the system to get help but won't do anything to help themsleves.
its really a win/loss situation.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 4:15 PM |
| |
|
CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by Shellyesq
I also wonder, how many countries and/or private foreign citizens gave us $ during Katrina. I don't know- its not an accusation. It would be interesting to learn.
I used to work in fundraising and after the hurricanes in early 2004 we were unable to raise much money through an emergency appeal outside the US. One of our business partners overseas told us that in most countries people feel that the US has SO much money they don't need money from elsewhere.
I do think we need to work on issues here. I help my mom care for my elderly grandmother, and it's disgusting to see how poorly the elderly in the country are treated as a whole. Most home health care aides have little to no education, very little work ethic. Many just sit around all day not helping their patient. We've been through 3 in the past 2 months. And it's terrible that in our country you have to be absolutely dirt poor to qualify for any of the social aid programs we pay into our whole lives.
I know there are other issues in the US, this is just the one that really hits home for me.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 4:20 PM |
| |
|
MommyofG
just the girls
Member since 5/05 9461 total posts
Name:
Janice
|
Re: The poor and needy
I think its to maintain allies in the event of a WAr, that we help other countries. America is "suppose" to be in the eyes of other countries to land of the brave free and OPPORTUNITY, so if we gave off the impression that hey we need help too I think the USA wouldnt be viewed as such a higher ground to other countries.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 5:11 PM |
| |
|
Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by BabyBoy
if you help another country, another country will help you in the event somthing happens to us.
When Katrina and WTC, others (countries) helped us out with geneous donations.
i am sure others have helped us out in the past...
But it is no where near the help we do for others in the various countries all over the world everyday.
I really do not see a lot of other countries coming to help out our poor and needy. Maybe in a devestation, yes but nothing else.
|
| Posted 1/19/06 7:32 PM |
| |
|
dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
|
Re: The poor and needy
No I have pride for my country but I would help anyone anywhere if could.
I think the poor in other countires are VERY much worst off then the US and I think thats why people help them first.
Our country has SO many available options other countries dont have...Social services, shelters, food pantries, MANY entry level jobs etc...
the problem our country has is no where near as overwhelming as elsewhere in the world.
just my opinion
|
| Posted 1/19/06 7:34 PM |
| |
|
Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: The poor and needy
Posted by dm24angel
the problem our country has is no where near as overwhelming as elsewhere in the world.
just my opinion
This may be true...i don't deny that. But the poverty that exists here i think is hidden. That is until soemthing like Katrina happens and people die.
It just amazes me how much of our money goes to helping others..
How much of our national, political attention is given to other countries...
I am not saying we shouldn't help out others....
Buti think more attention should be paid to our own...
|
| Posted 1/19/06 7:58 PM |
| |
|
