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Obviously the U.S. cannot clean up the African continent.

So what's to be done?

My proposal: Adopt one (1) African country. Help it to become a showcase for free enterprise, the rule of law, and democracy.

Set a list of conditions for the government to fulfill, and gradually extend to them most-favored nation trade status so that they can export their way out of poverty.

My hunch is that many black Africans are discouraged because there is no country that acts as a shining example to the rest of them. They have many smart people but the rampant corruption stifles their initiative.

Maybe Kenya. They just had orderly, peaceful elections last year and voted in a new government on an anti-corruption platform. Unfortunately several cabinet ministers died in a plane crash and it is touch and go how things are going to turn out.

Focusing aid on one country and making a commitment to their success could be much more effective than scattering $15 billion around the continent on AIDS programs.

My hunch is that many black Africans are discouraged because there is no country that acts as a shining example to the rest of them.

Rhodesia was the jewel of Africa ... until someone named Mugabe f$%^ed it up

Quote "Obviously the U.S. cannot clean up the African continent.

So what's to be done?

My proposal: Adopt one (1) African country. Help it to become a showcase for free enterprise, the rule of law, and democracy.

Set a list of conditions for the government to fulfill, and gradually extend to them most-favored nation trade status so that they can export their way out of
poverty.

My hunch is that many black Africans are discouraged because there is no country that acts as a shining example to the rest of them. They have many smart
people but the rampant corruption stifles their initiative.

Maybe Kenya. They just had orderly, peaceful elections last year and voted in a new government on an anti-corruption platform. Unfortunately several cabinet
ministers died in a plane crash and it is touch and go how things are going to turn out.

Focusing aid on one country and making a commitment to their success could be much more effective than scattering $15 billion around the continent on AIDS
programs."

WOW that is an awesome idea...

My proposal: Adopt one (1) African country. Help it to become a showcase for free enterprise, the rule of law, and democracy.

It almost sounds like you are saying that white people need to come to the rescue. The problem is that white people were thrown out of formerly civilized countries like Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa. Remember all the boycotts to end apartheid, etc.? The liberals had a field day.

White people are not wanted in Africa. I think the United States needs to just steer clear of the place. Let the liberals go fix their mess.

Aside from Kenya...I have no optimism for Africa...zero..and Kenya is not exactly Nirvana either.

When I was in West Africa, the Ivory Coast was like really uptown and civilized...and pretty safe. Look at it now.

We cannot fix Africa unless we wish to re-colonize it...bad idea...we will become even more hated.

Africa is a worse mess than the ME and the logistics are the worst in the world.

Sorry to be such a pessimist. Nature is going to run it's course there and all we can do is send band aids or help with evacuations...but even the latter is dicey. Hell, 90% of the continent would probably evacuate here given the chance...think Haiti X10,000