Posted on 12/28/2004 4:11:38 PM PST by Howlin
Earlier today, responding to these remarks by the UN's Jan Egeland
But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.
"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become."
"There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."
I sent this email to Jan Egeland
You seem to be under the impression that the ONLY way that individuals can donate money to charities and disasters is if the government TAKES the money from them in the form of taxes and gives it to YOU.
Leaving aside the fact that the UN is the last place I want MY government to give money (see Oil for Food scandal), we don't need to be taxed into giving. The United States is a generous country and we WILL give a lot of money to this cause; we're just not going to give it to YOU to spend as you see fit.
The people who really need and deserve the money will get it, without you having the opportunity to cut your slice off of it.
Howlin @ FR
Raleigh, NC
P.S. Forget about a UN and/or world tax; it's not going to happen.
Catholic Relief Services; Baptist Missions; Mennonite Missions, etc.
The POWER of FR!
Those who are most condemning of capitalism are the eagerest to benefit from it.
The thing is our "sum total" is at 35 million; of course, HE wants CASH to touch and lose.
The UN is going to use this catastrophe as a means to prove that each member country must pay an extra tax towards a disaster-fund. They need something to replace the income from the Oil for Food programme. The only way the UN can continue to exist and pay its 750,000 hangers on, is invent another method of extortion. Remember the slogan:
From each, according to his ability, to each according to his need?
The UN sees itself as the New World Socialist Government IMO. Let the UN move to Eurabia, I am sure they would be more than welcome in Norway.
Some organizations were given a LOT less than the $15 mil. I think they were given something like $1 mil.
Great post, by the way. Thank you so much for telling those idiots what REAL Americans think!
Oh, tell. I missed it until the rerun.
But there's more to it than what Sammon put up.
This Jan guy is one arrogant POS.
He was basically saying that our Congress doesn't realize that we really want to pay more in taxes.
Give me a few I'm going to transcribe the part of the video.
Well, I learned from the pros, like you!
Attaboys to Howlin.
I've seen that, too. What I haven't seen is what Saddam was supposed to be "smuggling". Could it be...OIL?!
Well, yeah - - we sure ARE overtaxed. But other than that, I think you make a good valid point.
Secular socialism has all but destroyed old Europe. Thank God the Democrat Party, whose agenda is to push secular socialism on America, was once again turned away at the polls in the last election.
Marvelous! Just plain marvelous Howlin, good on 'ya!
"I just read today that Volker has told some radio show that the UN sat by and watched as Saddam mad all that money SMUGGLING."
Until I am convinced otherwise, I don't trust Volker to do the job needing done.
Kofi has apparently structured the Volker investigation, such that the report can be edited by him (Kofi).
Maybe I'm wrong, but I distrust Volker, for letting it be structured that way.
The result SHOULD be to prove that France, Russia and Kofi unjustly/illegally enriched themselves. I don't care abuout Saddam. He's locked up for good. The rest aren't.
If Volker doesn't do that, he is worthless, along with his repoprt.
that article deserves a thread of its own
Great sentiment, but try "udders."
The thing is our "sum total" is at 35 million; of course, HE wants CASH to touch and lose.
The first figure I saw was 15, but since I am a DoD employee, I am also aware of the "uncounted" costs associated with our relief efforts. I'm not expecting a reply, but if I do, I'll share it here.
COLLINS: The tsunami disaster in Asia is triggering what's likely to be one of the biggest worldwide relief efforts in history.
As our Allan Chernoff reports, the ripples of the disaster are reaching out now to the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The U.S. State Department.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Americans are answering the call for help, opening their hearts and wallets as they phone in donations to the American Red Cross.
LESLIE GOTTLIEB, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Calls have really increased in the past day, I think, as the enormity of the situation hits home and people realize how devastating this is.
CHERNOFF: Relief workers in Portland are packing medical supplies. A volunteer medical team is scheduled to fly Tuesday morning to Thailand.
BAS VANDERZALM, NORTHWEST MEDICAL TEAMS: Volunteer medical professionals in the Northwest are incredible and very giving. And so we are ready with personnel to be deployed.
CHERNOFF: And the international relief group Doctors Without Borders is seeking volunteers.
CATRIN SCHULTE HILLEN, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: Our first appeal is to medical personnel and logistic personnel that is available, that can help, yes, we'd be delighted. We need volunteers for the field.
CHERNOFF: Employees of the International Red Cross, CARE and OXFAM are already on the ground, working on the harsh logistics of providing food, drinking water and medical care. Aid workers agree the need will go on for months.
CHRISTOPH GORDER, AMERICARES: The larger task at hand will be keeping the survivors alive. There are millions of people who were displaced and vulnerable, in these unsanitary conditions, to killer diseases like diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections.
CHERNOFF: Secretary of State Powell announced the U.S. government is starting off with $15 million in assistance. Not enough, argues the head of emergency relief at the United Nations.
JAN EGELAND, U.N. UNDER SECRETARY-GENERAL: It is beyond me why we are -- why are we so stingy, really, when we are, and even at Christmastime should remind many Western countries, at least, how rich we have become.
CHERNOFF (on camera): Relief organizations say Americans should donate money, not goods. That will allow professional aid workers to buy and deliver the goods and services that victims most desperately need.
Allan Chernoff, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)
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