Make Poverty History

[Tchocolatl]

It is a campaign of seduction to win the populations to the decidions of politicians for the health of "rich" countries' economy. The burden of charity is more costly than the money invested in this operation.

This seems very good to me however.

Now if they could ask politely to the corrupted government to stop acting like thieves, it would not be so bad (Make Poverty History, "at large" is another goal indeed. But the idea suduced me, forgive me, then, for my wandering on the theme.) It is amazing to see, just here while we are talking about this, how people see that it is wrong to stole money when the cash is stolen in one little place and when it is stolen in a large scale by "poor" government of a poor country, there is not a word. Even less a sanction.

[linmag]

The problem with trying to tell corrupt governments (third world or otherwise) how to run their own affairs, is that you come up against the right of each country to self-determination. Where does persuasion cross the line into undue influence? And how long before someone gives themselves permission to take over and sort it out to their own satisfaction? How many Iraqs can we stand?

[Tchocolatl]

I said "ask politely" . I believe in the power of the words. I believe in the power of good relationships between human beings. I believe that if diplomatic links are functioning well there is no need for war. I'm a believer. I know.

There was interventions before in regard of health and justice for the population, which did by pass the rules of the countries' gov. and, honestly, I can not say I feel this was wrong and no war came from this. I see this "asking politely" thing in this optic.

Just take the case of Amina Lawal, that was supposed to be stoned to death because she had a child without being married.

OK! enough wandering (for now)

[jurica]

there is a way, but it's in nobody's interest (of those having power, of course).

i'm against giving any country MONEY. not even in loans, because corrupt goverments (CG) will usualy ask for loan to build, say, a water supply, but they'll rather use it to buy themselves a yacht or two. then another CG will take the power saying: "we will use money for the people", and take more loans to ... well, you know for what.

and the country is now flooded with debts.

banks like this way of doing business, of course... let the money flow, they'll say. the poorer the people get there, the less This message has been classified as spam and will be deleted by the moderators will have to pay them to work... etc. etc.

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but the people of this country know not of this whole money issue. they still don't have their water supply. so, why wouldn't some rich star, instead of giving away his money, form a small firm which would make an offer to the CG: "we will build a water supply from this town to the next for free. no obligations on your side whatsoever. but we will do all the work." now CG sees it like this: "they will not give us any money, shame on them!, but at least they'll build this stupid WS we don't give the shit about, so the people may not riot for a year or two".

i know it's a terrible simplification, but it does help in a way. some people i know talked Swiss army into giving them some larger number of bicycles (i don't know why the army had them!?!?) that they no longer needed, and they took them to Africa personaly. they taught some people to use and repair them, and it seems that it was a real and true help to some far off tribes that had to walk for hours from their village to work on their crop fields (now it became a matter of minutes).

[linda_lakeside]

This is great! The threads are becoming longer, more diverse, and just fly off into different directions. So much great dialogue happening - so hard to keep up to though! Just keep and expand those thoughts, everyone, it's great reading. ...I'm trying...really, really trying not to skim... ..but there's so much...

Linda.