Bush Asks for $15 Billion to Fight AIDS in Africa (It's unprecedented and will save lives)

reuters ^ | 1/28/2003 | Maggie Fox

[TLBSHOW]

Bush Asks for $15 Billion to Fight AIDS in Africa

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush, under fire from AIDS groups for what they call his neglect of the epidemic, asked Congress Tuesday to triple AIDS spending in Africa and Haiti to $15 billion over five years.

The announcement, made in his annual State of the Union Address, took AIDS campaigners by surprise, but they quickly both welcomed the plan and expressed skepticism about it.

"I ask the Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean," Bush said.

"This comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at least 2 million people with life-extending drugs and provide humane care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children orphaned by AIDS," Bush added.

On its Internet web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov, the White House said the plan would target Botswana, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

It said the plan calls for the United States to work with private groups and governments to "put in place a comprehensive plan for diagnosing, preventing and treating AIDS."

Stephen Lewis, the United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, welcomed what he called "the first dramatic signal from the U.S. administration that it is now ready to confront the pandemic and to save or prolong millions of lives."

"It opens the floodgates of hope. Most importantly, it issues a challenge to every other member of the G7 to follow suit," he said in South Africa after a tour of the region.

The Physicians for Human Rights, which campaigns on a range of issues from land mines to HIV, last week urged Bush to increase global AIDS spending to $3.5 billion a year.

"This is totally unexpected," John Heffernan, a spokesman for the group, said in a telephone interview. "We applaud it. It really is an extraordinary commitment that clearly shows that the United States is serious about combating AIDS."

The Global AIDS Alliance welcomed the news but worried that the Bush administration could be competing with existing AIDS funds, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The United States has been accused of not putting its fair share into the Fund.

"In the (White House) fact sheet it said only $1 billion of the 10 billion in new money will go to the Global Fund," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "We are very concerned that will leave the fund vastly underfunded and undermine its success."

A SLOW START?

Zeitz also said it looked like the program would start out slowly, with just $2 billion allocated for next year.

The International Association for Physicians in AIDS Care said it would closely watch what would be done with the money, if Congress approved it. "The devil is in the details," said Scott Wolfe, a spokesman for the group. But he also strongly welcomed the move, adding, "We call on other global leaders to step up and demonstrate similar commitments."

More than 36 million people are infected with the virus that causes AIDS -- 25 million in Africa alone. The United Nations predicts AIDS will kill 70 million people in the next 20 years unless rich nations step up efforts.

Bush noted this. "There are whole countries in Africa where more than one-third of the adult population carries the infection," he said. "More than 4 million require immediate drug treatment. Yet across that continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims -- only 50,000 -- are receiving the medicine they need."

There is no cure for AIDS but a cocktail of expensive drugs known as anti-retrovirals can keep disease at bay. Campaigners have been angered that such drugs are available in rich nations but not to the countries hardest hit by the epidemic.

"AIDS can be prevented," Bush said. "Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life for many years. And the cost of those drugs has dropped from $12,000 a year to under $300 a year, which places a tremendous possibility within our grasp."

The new Senate majority leader, Tennessee Republican Bill Frist, nodded and smiled as Bush spoke. Frist, a medical doctor, does frequent volunteer work in Africa.

"It's unprecedented. It is huge. And of everything he said tonight, it has the capacity to save more lives in this country I would say, but also globally, than anything else said," Frist told CNN.

[Mudboy Slim]

Yep...the RATS are Imploding and the Self-Immolation only promises to become more pronounced in the upcoming weeks, months, and years...MUD

[Tauzero]

"This epidemic could go around the world and strike more than the gay community."

Complete nonsense.

[Protagoras]

Or do they expect the US to foot the entire bill for an epidemic that is not our fault?

The US has no funds of it's own, therefore, the cost of healthcare in other countries now falls on the US citizens who pay taxes. Wealth transfer schemes in this country have been expanded to include people in other countries.

[Protagoras]

My compassionate one is for it.

If you feel compassion for people, feel free to help them. Taking money from some people at gunpoint and giving it to other people to whom it does not belong has nothing to do with compassion.

[spunkets]

"So by compromising the Constitution, it's really a win for Republicans, because we're only halfway gutting it, right?"

The administration is not guided by the U.S. Constitution, they're being entirely pragmatic in playing the game for positions of control. As long as the electorate doesn't give a damn about Freedom, individual rights and the Constitution, there's no way they are going to place someone in any elected position that does.

When most voters make their decision they ask, what's in it for me and the answer they come up with is driven by greed, jealousy and other emotional movements. The present admin. minimizes the amount of other peoples stuff given away and freedom taken. That's all that can be said.

[Redleg Duke]

The RATS have probably spent more money than that on fisting lessons mandated for public schools.

I thought it was one of several brilliant proposals. Combined, they gutted the RAT Party, leaving them to whine and belly ache.

[VMI70]

"Isn't this the same as saying, "This is something that we agree with the liberals on." Or are you saying we are not sincere aboout the Aids epidemic and are just trying to quiet an issue?"

Bump
Very well said, and it bears repeating.

[Uncle Bill]

More socialism from the socialist. Welfare recipients of the world unite!

Bono: Mr. President, Africa Needs Us

Bono Hails Bush's Aids Funding

AIDS Waste

What did Freepers say on the following threads? - You must see

Clinton calls for debt relief to help AIDS-plagued Africa

Ex-president calls for U.S. to pay its share in AIDS fight ***CLINTON***

Clinton bashes Bush for lack of focus on AIDS

Clinton Says Time Running Out in War on AIDS

Whole World Responsible for AIDS, Says Clinton

Clinton To Give $156M To Fight AIDS

Aids 'bigger threat than terrorism' (Says clinton)

Out of Africa: clinton-gore AIDS Hypocrisy & Criminality

Clinton Positive About HIV/Aids Drugs

Clinton to Seek More Money for AIDS Drugs

Clinton and the implacable aids lobby - David Limbaugh

Clinton, 'Babyface' to Fight AIDS

Clinton: US Must Pay for AIDS Fight

Clinton Wants $175 Million for AIDS Programs

Clinton Signs New AIDS-Help Bill

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'We Stand with Africa' - Bush

"Government ought to have a policy that helps people with a downpayment." - George W. Bush

Bush to Propose $500M AIDS Funding

Bush pushes minority homeownership

A Home Of Your Own: Expanding Opportunities for All Americans

Bush Touts Low - Income Homes Plan

U.S. Prepares 'Big-Time' Response To Famine - Impact of African crisis could be felt at White House

Bush to Propose Another $100 Million Over Five Years for Education in Africa

President Highlights Compassionate Conservative Agenda for Inner Cities

James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, elaborated upon this limitation in a letter to James Robertson:

"With respect to the two words "general welfare," I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators. If the words obtained so readily a place in the "Articles of Confederation," and received so little notice in their admission into the present Constitution, and retained for so long a time a silent place in both, the fairest explanation is, that the words, in the alternative of meaning nothing or meaning everything, had the former meaning taken for granted.

In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 for relief of French refugees who fled from insurrection in San Domingo to Baltimore and Philadelphia, James Madison stood on the floor of the House to object saying, "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents."
James Madison, 4 Annals of congress 179 (1794)

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."
Thomas Jefferson

"If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions."
James Madison, "Letter to Edmund Pendleton," -- James Madison, January 21, 1792, in The Papers of James Madison, vol. 14, Robert A Rutland et. al., ed (Charlottesvile: University Press of Virginia,1984).

Source

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George W. - Master of Disguise

[SwordofTruth]

BTW...I hereby predict that Dubyuh's Landslide in November '04 will exceed Reagan's '84 Landslide!!

| Prediction noted. I am anxious to see what have to say after the 2004 elections when I repost your prediction.

[philman_36]

This epidemic could go around the world and strike more than the gay community.
Could being the operative word here, not will! We have numerous programs in place in America, from blood donation centers to educational literature, teaching how to avoid getting AIDS. (Including all of these sources of funding, the estimated expenditure on HIV prevention programs in the United States through fiscal year 2000 is $10.1 billion.) And the morons in Africa are raping young virgins to cure the disease. ("The idea that having sex with a virgin cleanses you of AIDS does exist and there have been reported cases of this as a motivating factor for child rape. But evidence suggests that this is infrequently the case," said Dr Rachel Jewkes, director of the MRC's Gender and Health Research Group.) (no, they wouldn't lie) That's some real intellect at work there...
This is all UNAIDS BS to get more money and people like you and Chad lap it up!
Go ahead, throw more money away.
Some more $ signs. Try adding it all up and see where we've come since 1986.

[Protagoras]

I thought it was one of several brilliant proposals.

Brilliant because it is acceptable to take money from taxpaying citizens of the USA and giving it to people in other countries or brilliant because it out flanked the Dems on their left?

[shrinkermd]

Whimpycat, you can add to your argument by noting that anything that knocks down the immune system enhances the chances of a successful HIV infection. For example, in Africa there are a host of prevalent diseases, poor nutrition and other problems that make the immune system vulnerable to the virus.

In this Country, homosexuals frequently use "poppers" or amyl nitrite capsules to enhance erections. These and other substances and alcohol also knock down the immune system.

With good nutrition, a relative lack of chronic infectious diseases and so forth we have a lesser degree of AIDS then other, less fortunate, countries.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Hmmm... let me address your points one at a time, so everyone knows where I stand....

1. It can become our epidemic as people from Africa, fleeing the death, starvation, and chaos of their homes, seek out new lands, such as Europe (where they are now being turned away from), the US, etc... They end up here, no matter how much we don't like the idea of a porous border, where they put a strain on our healthcare system, law enforcement, and welfare systems... They bring the AIDS with them, etc....

2. I think the constitutional mandate this falls under is providing for the common defense - Islam, the fastest growing religion in Africa, is a threat to our nation, it's people, and our way of life. If we do NOT do what we can to help, someone else will fill the void - Personally, I'd rather it be us. I don't LIKE the idea of it, but I see it as a necessity. There is simply no other option. An Africa under the influence of Islam is a potential danger to us - Those with no hope of a future, no hope of living much longer makes a GREAT place would be willing, if not eager, recruits as suicide bombers, etc... if they know their family will be cared for... Woudl you rather they are lifted up and helped to their feet by US, or by those who would use them against us?

3. In return, we get a continent more stable than it has ever been in recorded history, a decline in the influence of our enemies, and the satisfaction of knowing we did something worthwhile to help our fellow man... Do we get material rewards? Probably not, but that's not what life is about anyway.

[NittanyLion]

How do you figure? Define 'pissed away'... because, it seems to me that Bush is thinking ahead - if we dont' stop the epidemic there NOW, we will have our own critical epidemic HERE because of it...

Lack of education is the reason AIDS is at epidemic levels in Africa. The factors in place in Africa are simply not present here in America. Regardless of what happens in Africa there will be no epidemic here.

[wimpycat]

Bleccch! Did you have to mention the part about amyl nitrate?

But you're right. Properly nourished people are less vulnerable to disease, and better able to fight it when they do catch something.

[Chad Fairbanks]

And you know this HOW? Do you know what the future holds? I certainly don't...

[Jmouse007]

POST #2 SAYS IT ALL, there is nothing more to add. Our hard earned money down the drain to keep liberals at bay.

An Un-PC Quick Course Cure For Aids in America and Around the World:

1) Do not have sexual intercourse prior to marriage.

2) Only have sex with your spouse.

3) Do not engage in homosexual sex of any kind.

4) Do not use illegal intravenous drugs.

5) Do not "share needles" with those who do.

6) Isolate ALL aids patients from the general public.

7) Prohibit those infected from engaging in homosexual or heterosexual sex etc… of ANY kind.

8) Incarcerate ALL aids patients who willingly spread the disease via homosexual, heterosexual sex and drug use.

9) Put to death those who kill with Aids for the sexual thrill of it, those who willingly infect themselves, infected rapists and those who have sex with underage virgins in order to get “cured from the disease (an activity that which is taking place in Africa on a monumental scale).

10) Educate the public, starting from a very early age over the real risks of HIV infection. No longer sanitize and white wash it. Show them actual footage and photos of the horrors the disease accurately describing exactly what it does to those infected while also teaching them rules number 1 - 12. Repeat the process on an on-going basis.

12) Only provide aids treatment to those patients willing to abide by the rules as stated above.

13) Defund EVERY organization, humanitarian, governmental or otherwise that refuses to abide by rules 1 - 12 above and ONLY fund those that do.

If we applied the 15 Billion dollars we are about to throw away to the above plan, Aids in Africa would be greatly reduced or eliminated altogether. Unfortunately, those in power will never enact this safe and sane, time tested plan, which has worked for every other communicable disease. Why, because Aids is the only disease on Earth that has “rights”. The supposed rights of the infected outweigh the rights of all the rest of humanity. Unless and until this changes, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. Our money will continue to be thrown down the drain and Aids along with all it’s by-products (such as untreatable TB) will continue to spread nationally and around the globe. All because the above plan is not “politically correct”.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I am anxious to see what [you] have to say after the 2004 elections when I repost your prediction."

Fair 'nuff, SoT, I'll be here...MUD

[VMI70]

"...by posters who make assumptions about which they know NOTHING."

You have said that, or something along the same lines, in two or three of your replies. Now, concluding that someone who disagrees with you knows nothing is a stretch at best. I have read all of your replies on this thread, and from their content, you would be well advised not to accuse others of being ignorant.

[Jmouse007]

You said: "The epidemic is spreading because the people are uninformed and uneducated." That is foolish, information and education alone is not the answer but a genuine change in the way people live thier lives!

Americans are informed and educated regarding Aids and it hasn't made ANY difference because people are unwilling to change their lifestyles.