Helping Third World Countries

[olpluvr]

For an attempt to attract more people to debatification , I will post this topic without a lot of backup reading material. Your opinions will be based on what you think without me listing many online sources. So, it will go as follows:

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Comments

Alrighty then, I guess I'm up at bat first!!

[ferret_angels]

I DO think that all countries that aren't considered Third World Countries are obligated to help the other less fortunate ones. I know that countries like Canada and the US are in debt a LOT, but compared to others, we are on top. WE are the ones who are going to pick these countries off there knees and onto there feet. If we don't, who the hell is going to?! How is a place with basically no resources(especially NO MONEY)supposed to better themselves?! We would look down upon multi-millionaires if they didn't give to charity, so really, the only difference I see is that in this situation, we are dealing with a COUNTRY instead of a millionaire. If not, all those life lessons we learned as children are worthless. "Share with others", "Cooperation", and, "Lend a helping hand".

Some people might think that Bono pressuring the PM is atrocious, but I LOVE IT!! Bono is SOOOO much more than just a leader of a rock band, he's a saint to the poor!! A modern day Robin Hood, except he's not STEALING from the rich, he's trying to open up the riches' eyes. I feel that more bands/actors should use their fame and apply it to world issues, people seem to really respond to people of celebrity status. It works to sell piddly products such as deodorant, or sneakers, so why not take that power and "sell" a much more important thing, world peace, recycling, anti-war campaigns, etc.

Our PM is a LIAR!! I DO NOT like him, Sam I am!! On a more serious note, he had promised to fight the war on poverty, and then backed off. This of course is when Bono stepped in. Here's Bono's take on Paul Martin,"I think we're going to figure this thing out. I think he's a great leader for Canada and that he can do what we want him to do, to lead the world out of despair and poverty, this year." Hmm...seems that Bono hasn't had his TV tuned onto Canadian news channels lately, missed the whole "sponsorship scandal". Great leader my ass!!

(Here's a link to more info on Bono's opinion of the PM)

http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.html?id=db36b2a5-536d-4713-a4bb-70b5d6360d03

I've made myself quite clear that I am all for countries helping countries, people helping people. AS LONG as those countries/people can afford to do so. This leads me into the next point of discussion, those AWFUL commercials that are crying for you to pay, "Only a dollar a day to save a child". Those things make me ill to watch. I find it extremely disturbing to see these poor, sick, dirty children, and to hear their life stories that would make anyone cringe. After all that was said and done, the host not only begs for you to sponsor a child, but guilts you into it by using manipulative tactics like, "What are you waiting for, pick up the phone", along with many many more. PROBLEM IS, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN MAKE ENDS MEET IN THEIR VERY OWN HOMES!! We do NOT have Oprah's or Bill Gate's paychecks, we WANT to help, we DEFINATLY sympathize and feel sickened that these kids have to endure the unimaginable, but we cannot do A THING!! We can't afford that 30 bucks a month. Though these infomercial hosts seem to think so, they say its "ONLY" 30 bucks...ONLY!! For lots of people, that's diapers and formula for a baby, or groceries.

Besides, who knows exactly HOW the sponsors money is spent?! Is your sponsored child getting ALL that dough, or is some of that money going to the companies that make these commercials?! How can it be proved that every cent of your payment is going towards the cause it says it's going to?! PROOF PEOPLE!! It's a tough call, so back to my original argument, I think the "rich should give to the poor". and just maybe, the world would be a half-decent place to live.

That's my say for today, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!!
DEBATE!!
Chrissy

Debate

[olpluvr]

If you believe that first world countries should be inclined to help 3rd world countries, how do you think they got in the situations they are in in the first place? An unfair government with lack of proper resources?

As individuals, I believe we must take care of our own families first and foremost. Once finances are intact or stable, then it is up to the person whether or not to donate to these funds. Obviously it is selfless to give your money to these type of charities, but there are many charities to also consider: so how does one determine which charity is the most important and which should be mandatory? (ie cancer, MS, etc.) They all have to do with the health/well-being of people who have been less fortunate than the healthy, so individuals must use their own discretion of which charity to donate to without being forced by the government. Only then would the government's biased for (or against) a specific charity would be shown.

Specifically, how do we know (as individuals) which charity to trust? The whole "give a dollar a day" to the child you donate the money to really goes toward their community, not their specific needs. That isn't necessasrily a bad thing, but wouldn't you like to know where your money is being distributed? Along with that factor, some of your money could be going towards the employees of the organization, though the government funds most of the salaries of employees and some are volunteers. Doesn't it make you wonder how it is possible to make someone's life better for just $30 a month, let alone the person's community AND paying towards the organization itself?

If people truly want to help out and are dedicated to making third world countries a better environment for everyone, the most honest solution is to travel to one of the countries and be in the effort of building water pipes and donating food (cooking food) for the community. That would give someone a more personal satisfaction with the hands on approach. It is sweet to give money to these organizations, but the factors listed above would make a person wonder what is going on with the funds given. By travelling, you would know what's going on first ahnd and you can learn from the people.