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)
OMG would someone please just stuff some peanuts in his mouth!
Go build them all houses Jimmah.
Jimmy missed his nap.
Carter is, and always will be, a f-ing idiot, a failed President, and a slobbering socialist and pacifist. Other than that, he is great guy, that ought to STFU and grow peanuts.
Or more precisely, rich people like Jimmy Carter don't give a damn about the average Joe in our country.
Frankly, Jimmy dear....I just don't GIVE A DAMN.
No, Jimmeh - we just don't give a damn about you. Now why don't you just dry up and blow away...
Arguably the worst president in the last century and he presumes to think anyone gives a flying f#@k what he has to say about anything
Jimmy helps the world's poor by "certifying" so-called elections blatantly stolen by thugs and criminals like Chavez and Mugabe.
No government should give money to another government and call it "compassion." Jimmy is right about one thing ... countries CAN'T "give a damn." Only people can, and the American people support many worthy organizations that actually help the poor, instead of giving money to stupid, corrupt governments and self-serving NGO's.
I haven't caught Bush's yet, but Cheney's charitable contributions were in the neighborhood of $330,000.. Any chance Carter's tax return is public??? I'd love to know how much he "cares"...
Reach into your own pocket, Jimmah. Don't worry about mine.
Nothing but a lefty, whiney, busybody. Worst president in my lifetime. (Yes, worse than Bubba)
Can anyone explain how this guy majored in Nuclear Engineering and was a Naval Officer? You would think psychology major and Peace Corps. What gives
Oh, shut up! Dunce or liar - who knows which?
Watch yo step, Jimmah.....or I'll sic that killer rabbit on you again!
I wish he would go off in a corner and "lust in the heart" and keep his opinions of world affairs to himself.
As Jo Dee Messina says "My give-a-damn's busted."
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