West is told to pay poor now

The Guardian ^ | September 26, 2002 | Charlotte Denny

[Tailgunner Joe]

Rich countries face "a moment of truth" over their plan to halve global poverty, which is endangered by turmoil in global stock markets and the threat of war against Iraq, the World Bank warned yesterday.

James Wolfensohn, the Bank's president, said the west must "put its money where its mouth is" and stump up the cash to meet the agreed target of halving the number of people living on less than a dollar a day by 2015.

"The time has come to move from words to action to implement this new deal between rich countries and poor countries," he said.

Speaking to the Guardian, ahead of this week's IMF and World Bank annual meetings, Mr Wolfensohn said he feared that worries about the global outlook would distract attention from the plight of developing countries.

"If you find countries that are dirt poor, they are the places that extremists flourish. I personally believe that if we don't get rid of poverty we are not going to have peace."

Rich countries must open their highly protected markets to textiles and agricultural goods from the developing world, and stop subsidising its farmers, according to the Bank. Western countries pay out $350bn a year supporting agriculture, seven times what they spend on aid.

Mr Wolfensohn called on the west to come up with the extra money it promised for debt relief at a summit in Canada this year.

[xJones]

"If you find countries that are dirt poor, they are the places that extremists flourish.

Who'd a thunk the Saudis are dirt poor? < /sarcasm>

They are the bankrollers of countless mosques and madrassas around the world preaching Wahabi extremism, instead of using THEIR wealth to aid the poor of their own continent. Osama was a top-notch extremist, and was able to carry out his far-flung terrorism due to his wealth, not poverty. Don't give us this B.S. and get your hands out of our pockets, looters.

[07055]

So glad I'm not oneof those "dirt poor" people trying to "live" on a dollar a day. What has happened to compassion for those with less.

You are free to follow your compassion whereever it may lead you. Just do it with your money, not mine.

If you want to fill the Swiss bank accounts of third world dictators, knock yourself out. I certainly won't stand in your way.

[Thebaddog]

You can't make a loser a winner simply because you care about them. Only a loser can make him or herself a winner and it's a step at a time.

[SamAdams76]

I am compassionate for those with less. That is why I don't believe in subsidizing their poverty. The greatest favor we can do to those in poverty is to force them to fend for themselves. To do otherwise would not be compassionate.

[hoosierskypilot]

Hmm. Isn't this what LBJ said when he was president? We threw all kinds of money at America's poor. Sure did us a lot of good, didn't it? Wiped out crime, broken homes, drug addiction, etc.

[Tailgunner Joe]

"From each according to ability, to each according to need."

[Old Professer]

What has happened to compassion for those with less.

If you're looking for compassion, try the dictionary; it's between cancer and constipation.

[RLK]

James Wolfensohn, the Bank's president, said the west must "put its money where its mouth is" and stump up the cash to meet the agreed target of halving the number of people living on less than a dollar a day by 2015.

------------------------------

I don't recall any such agreement. I want no part of any such agreement.

[07055]

Maybe *we* need to start protesting the World Bank.

[brewcrew]

I am compassionate for those with less. That is why I don't believe in subsidizing their poverty. The greatest favor we can do to those in poverty is to force them to fend for themselves. To do otherwise would not be compassionate.

That's right. Giving them money outright only makes the bleeding heart giver feel better about themselves, putting a salve on their guilty consciences. It also makes those with less simply more dependent on those with more. It kills independence, and that is the greater sin.

[SamAdams76]

Exactly. It's like the proverbial parent with the adult child who won't move out. Many parents continue to subsidize the child and care for him as if he was still a kid. I personally know of adults in their 30s and 40s who still live at home and their mother's continue to fuss over them as if they were still children, preparing their meals, doing their laundry and even making up their bedrooms. These parents have done their children a great disservice. There comes a time when children must leave the nest and enter the real world.

[Teacher317]

The US has given more aid, advisors, food, military protection, loans (especially the forgiven kind), IMF funds, World Bank funds, knowledge, medical supplies, medical personnel, medical training, education opportunities, disaster relief, Peace Corps workers, charity proceeds, and private donations than the rest of the world... combined... throughout all history. We give safe haven to those who come here looking to escape tyrrany. We give social services benefits to those who aren't citizens. We bear the hatred and envy of the entire planet, and yet refuse to use our power to conquer, subjugate, colonize, or rob our neighbors as every other world power has done. In wars that do not reach even our hemisphere, we still come to the rescue of those nations that love Freedom, or those who simply ask for our help. We've dedicated thousands of lives and trillions of dollars to improving and utilizing natural resources only to give them away voluntarily, or have them confiscated by eminent domain. Our universities made major food exporters out of Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, just to watch the Marxists take over and return the lands to desolate expanses of starvation once again.

I'd say we've given already.

You want more wealth? Create it yourselves. We've already shown you how, blazed every possible trail, and created thousands of new ways to succeed. Now you just have to get off of your lazy Socialist asses and do it.

I know it's easier to just boss the Americans around, and have them send more of the fruits of their labors, but we've just about reached our limits. Don't push it, or you'll be forced to remember what it truly is like to live without America to guide you through the difficulties of life.

[lizma]

"Give a man a fish, and he eats one meal, teach him how to fish, and he will spend a day in a boat with three freinds, drinking beer."

[xrp]

How about if the countries where their subjects (not citizens because they aren't treated as citizens) live on less than $1/day try giving their subjects:

Civil Liberties
Freedom
Free markets with little or no government controls

A bunch of [sarcasm]evil white men[/sarcasm] did this back in 1776 for 3 million colonists on the eastern coast of what is today the United States and look what happened in the USA's first 100 years. Then look at 200 years. Then look at the USA's entire history! Great stuff indeed. Freedom, liberty and free markets spawn innovation and wealth. It's amazing that the world has a 230 year history of the USA for an example and still doesn't get the F-CKING MESSAGE.

[brewcrew]

So, you've met my brother and my parents and didn't tell me?

[brewcrew]

teach him how to fish, and he will spend a day in a boat with three freinds, drinking beer."

I don't see a problem here. ;^D

[mykdsmom]

But now the number of Americans in poverty has risen again, for the first time in eight years, according to census figures reported last week. The gap between rich and poor is growing

Yep, now that there's a Republican president the proverty stricken and homeless are back by the millions.

MKM

[river rat]

"...it's between cancer and constipation."

Bingo! Loved it.
Semper Fi