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7 Responses to “With so much poverty & needy people in the US, why do we feel the need to help other countries bef?”

1. kat46 Says:
   November 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am

   That is a good question. I’ve worked my whole life and paid my taxes and I’ve been laid off since Dec. 2 and haven’t recieved a penny from umployment. I won’t sign up for Welfare I’m busy trying to get a new job. I don’t want any hand outs but where is my f-ing unemployment??? kat46

2. jesito_sascec Says:
   November 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   Actually, for a reason I cannot comprehend; when Katrina hit Greece offered two cruise ships as temporary lodging for Katrina victims (which would have housed 2500 people), but were told no by FEMA (the vast stronghold of good, hardworking individuals under the command of Brownie).

   We were offered money by quite a few other countries (including Iran), and all received a no. You got me as to why. But since they got that no it was never given to us, and so it wasn’t widely reported. It was reported some (for the one day it was offerred), but not much beyond that. jesito_sascec

3. loryntoo Says:
   November 10th, 2009 at 12:35 am

   That’s our leadership for you. By helping other countries, they hope to create political allies, but it isn’t working that way any more. Some of those poor countries just look at the US and get greedy for more.

   The US should be helping its own citizens more with medical costs and unemployment and job training. The problem is big business doesn’t want the govt cutting into their profits by imposing higher taxes or medical insurance requirements–and big business has a bigger say in Congress than we do.

   Eventually we are going to have to organize and demand health care. It will mean a raise in our taxes, but we will have to take that to get decent health care. loryntoo

4. Big Larry Says:
   November 11th, 2009 at 10:27 am

   It’s good question, but step back and you will realize the futility of it. We already give welfare, social security, and unemployment for people who are unable to take care of themselves. Let’s say that we makes sure that every person in the US is at least getting $15,000 a year, either thru handouts or their own income (minimum wage). Now $15k doesn’t get you much in America and if you had the choice to work at min. wage or or get a handout, most people would take the handout, especially people with children to raise.

   Let’s say we took the money we gave to other countries and stopped giving it to them. And we gave every person making $15,000 or less an additional $10,000 a year. Now everyone is making $25,000 a year, but the people who already making that income will realize they also should quit their jobs and just get a welfare check. The solution - give every American $1000 extra instead of just the poorer Americans. This is basically the same as lowering taxes for all income levels.

   I think the bigger questions is Why not take all the money we spent on the Irag war, and give it to the people in the form of lower taxes. That money isn’t helping anyone in Iraq. At least the money we send to Africa for AIDS is actually helping those who can’t help themselves. Big Larry

5. sno Says:
   November 14th, 2009 at 1:56 am

   Because right now, America is the hegemon. When China takes over, then they can do it. sno

6. Unsure answerer Says:
   November 16th, 2009 at 4:21 am

   Part of the deal with foreign aid is that it is sometimes tied to using that money towards buying things from the country giving. So the aid isn’t actually money, but rather they get certain supplies from America, which helps the US economy by growing or manufacturing more. Another part of it is to have influence on an international stage. This was more important during the cold war era (when the USA and USSR were trading shots to gain world support), but is still an aspect of it now.

   Yes, we do get offers of assistance from other countries, most notably during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Why it doesn’t get mentioned more often is a subject I honestly can’t answer. I’m not a public relations person or journalist, just an interested person.

   According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization the US is a member of, the US is next to last in terms of official development assistance by percentage of national income. However, we are first in total dollars given overall. I would note that this does not count what is given by private citizens, just what is given by the US government.

   As for why we feel the need to help other countries: well, I would like to think the reason is that we feel compassion for others and want to help their problems. While we do have significant problems here, they sometimes pale in comparision to the crisis seen elsewhere. The sad truth is there is just not enough to solve the problem here or there, and I don’t know if there ever will be.

   Hope this somewhat helps. Unsure answerer

7. billyghawaii Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pm

   For one, how do you come to these conclusions on how many are poor in the USA? What percentage are poor as related to those who aren’t? As regular folks on the street that is our first problem. We never know exactly what the truth is because we are being told or led to know what others want us to know and believe.

   However, rather than wonder why someone else isn’t helping the poor consider joining an organization that is actually doing something about it. You will find instant joy in knowing that you have directly done something to help, rather than worry about why other’s didn’t.

   Now take a few friends with you and share that joy with others. billyghawaii

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