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Jimmy Carter: "in rich countries like ours, we really don't give a damn" about aid to poor nations
Reuters (AlertNet) ^ | 4/15/2005 | Paul Simao

Posted on 04/15/2005 3:35:15 PM PDT by Tern

Carter: rich states "don't give a damn" about poor

ATLANTA, April 14 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Thursday harshly criticized his own country and other wealthy states for being stingy with foreign aid and said in rich countries "We really don't give a damn."

In a speech to a human rights conference in Atlanta, Carter said increasing financial assistance was critical to battling malaria, AIDS and other common diseases that disproportionately affect the poorest parts of the world.

"Unfortunately, in the rich countries like ours, we really don't give a damn," said Carter, who was president from 1977 to 1981 and who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

He especially criticized the United States for failing to follow other Western nations which are increasing spending.

Although America tops the foreign aid donor list in dollar terms, it falls behind the Netherlands, Canada and many other smaller, less affluent nations when contributions are measured on a per capita basis.

U.S. foreign aid is approximately 0.18 percent of gross national product, the lowest of any G-7 nation and far below a 0.7 percent United Nations target that 22 of the world's developed nations have agreed to meet by 2015.

A handful have met the goal, while others such as Germany and Great Britain insist they will achieve it.

"We have not budged so far," lamented Carter, who has spearheaded efforts through his non-profit Carter Center to eradicate diseases in the developing world, including Guinea worm and onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness.

(Writing by Paul Simao, Editing by David Storey)


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: foreignaid; jimmycarter
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To: Tern

Actually he is a man of God! Seems there are some here that cannot seem to comprehind this! Also if you took the time to do some research, you would see that we are the most proseperious nation in the world. But caught into what the bible clearly states, The Love of money is the root of ALL evil!


101 posted on 04/15/2005 4:37:40 PM PDT by ibtheman
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To: Tern
U.S. foreign aid is approximately 0.18 percent of gross national product, the lowest of any G-7 nation and far below a 0.7 percent United Nations target that 22 of the world's developed nations have agreed to meet by 2015.

The figure cited only includes government aid and does not include the substantial private aid given out by Americans in the name of private charities.

It also does not include the substantial support the United States gives to the United Nations which carries out aid in the name of the United Nations not in the name of the Untied States even though it is primarily American money involved.

It also does not include the cost of military services which deliver said aid to foreign countries. For instance, it only included the direct monetary grants made by the government of the United States in the tsunami relief effort and does not include the substantial costs incurred by the Department of Defense in delivering emergency food, water, transportation, and electricity to the devastated areas. Nor any aid given by private relief organizations.

If you include all those areas those numbers leave out, you will find the United States gives by far, far more per capita than any other nation.

102 posted on 04/15/2005 4:39:41 PM PDT by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
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To: Spyder

I do not think he has really studied the word of God in awhile.....how can one be a Christian and a democrat that believes in the killing of the innocent...babies


103 posted on 04/15/2005 4:39:41 PM PDT by Kimmers
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To: apackof2
Americans are the most generous people in the world. The U.S. government has screwed up alot by giving money to evil rulers, but we give more than any other country.

He is an idiot.
104 posted on 04/15/2005 4:39:51 PM PDT by Delphinium
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To: backhoe

I remember watching the presidential debate where Reagan zinged Jimmah with the "are you better off than you were 4 years ago?" I knew right then that it would all be downhill from there! May God grant him eternal rest.


105 posted on 04/15/2005 4:40:46 PM PDT by Fudd Fan (MaryJo Kopechne needed an "exit strategy")
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To: Tern
and said in rich countries "We really don't give a damn."

You're right, Peanut, we do not give one damn what you think.

106 posted on 04/15/2005 4:41:07 PM PDT by JustaCowgirl (Losing a PR battle to Harry Reid is like losing a PR battle to Daffy Duck -- Rush Limbaugh)
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To: Tern

I still can't believe we just named a Submarine after this man *shakes his head*


107 posted on 04/15/2005 4:42:27 PM PDT by Bottom_Gun (Crush depth dummy)
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To: ibtheman
Actually he is a man of God!

What gives you that idea, because he says so?

I will agree with you that Americans, especially Christians need to give more.I especially believe God prospered us to finance the gospel being preached to all the nations.

God is the one who blessed our nation. Carter tries to tear down everything God has blessed us with.
108 posted on 04/15/2005 4:45:32 PM PDT by Delphinium
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To: Tern
lamented Carter, who has spearheaded efforts through his non-profit Carter Center...

Spearheaded hmmm good choice of words considering his head comes to a point, ain't that right Jimmah!
109 posted on 04/15/2005 4:45:39 PM PDT by TheForceOfOne
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To: Tern

I wish he would just shut his mouth and go back to GA, raise peanuts and build houses. At least then he would be doing something useful.


110 posted on 04/15/2005 4:45:51 PM PDT by kalee
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To: Tern

Yeah well we dont really give a damn about Jimmy Carter!


111 posted on 04/15/2005 4:48:09 PM PDT by Paul_Denton (Get the UN out of the US and US out of the UN!)
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To: doosee

I always laugh when I hear someone say "it doesn't take a rocket scientist". I know one and while he may have lots of book smarts he has absolutely no common sense. My father in law was an aeronautical engineer and although he worked for NASA back in the 50's and 60's, he has brains but no common sense. I expect "Jimmah" is the same.


112 posted on 04/15/2005 4:50:06 PM PDT by kalee
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To: Tern

So all that humanitarian aid to the tsunami victims never happened?


113 posted on 04/15/2005 4:50:06 PM PDT by OldFriend (MAJOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH.....INSPIRATIONAL)
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To: Fudd Fan
I remember watching the presidential debate where Reagan zinged Jimmah with the "are you better off than you were 4 years ago?" I knew right then that it would all be downhill from there! May God grant him eternal rest.

People today forget what a news blackout and filtering went on in those days... it's apparent now, with all the alternative sources, but back then about all I knew about Mr. Reagan was that he'd been an actor, a spokesman for GE, and the Governor of California.

We simply heard very little from him, or about him here in Georgia.

Then, the Wall Street Journal started publishing guest editorials by him as well as his older writings, and I knew we had to move Heaven and Earth to get Carter out of the White House, and him installed.

114 posted on 04/15/2005 4:53:31 PM PDT by backhoe (-30-)
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To: Tern

Bring back DDT.


115 posted on 04/15/2005 4:54:22 PM PDT by Squat (Deport the illegals now! Protest your local Home Depot.)
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To: Tern

Is that why we give more in foreign aid than any other nation on the face of the planet?


116 posted on 04/15/2005 4:56:28 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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To: Alouette

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, naturally.

While there exists a considerable number of individuals I personally think will likely spend some time in Hell, the number of people I actively petition God to send there is extremely small.

Of that number, only one exists whom I have sworn and begged the honor to stand guard duty over, at the gates of Hell, if God agrees.

That person would be Jimmy Carter.
After I live long enough to urinate on his grave.
Just MHO.


117 posted on 04/15/2005 4:57:09 PM PDT by sarasmom
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To: ibtheman

"Actually he is a man of God"

Then I'm sure he knows this one:

"For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me." Mark 14:7


118 posted on 04/15/2005 4:58:00 PM PDT by beelzepug (Parking For Witches Only--All Others Will Be Toad.)
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To: Tern
"We really don't give a damn."

Jimmuh is disgusting.

119 posted on 04/15/2005 4:58:45 PM PDT by mombonn (¡Viva Bush/Cheney!)
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To: Brilliant
Or more precisely, rich people like Jimmy Carter don't give a damn about the average Joe in our country.

Certainly, he would not do much for the poor with his money. However, with our money, that's a different story.

120 posted on 04/15/2005 5:03:17 PM PDT by The_Media_never_lie
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