World Aide. At What Point Do We Mind Our Own Business?

[Archon_Turtle]

This post is mostly directed at the American folk in the room.

Let me start by saying that all the lives lost in Haiti is tragic, and my heart goes out to all of those people.

This isn't so much a question about Haiti specifically, but world aide in general. At what point do we reel it in a little and not go all balls out helping everyone that asks? I mean, we ourselves are in one of the biggest financial declines since the great depression. We are totally screwed. And yet we are throwing basically everything we have at Haiti right now with rescue resources and a plan to essentially rebuild the entire city of Port au Prince. With what money? God forbid something were to happen to us right now. We wouldnt have anyone or anything to help ourselves with. Oh, yeah, not to mention we've already spent NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY BILLION DOLLARS on wars since 2001.

Look, I'm not saying lets be douchebags and not help anybody. But does anyone else think it would be nice if every once in a while we would just mind our own damn business?

[plastroncafe]

As someone who donated money to the cause, I for one am glad we're helping. What pisses me off? Is that this level of mobilization was nowhere to be found after Katrina hit Louisiana.

At what point do we mind our own?
When we stop trashing the world beyond recognition for our personal gain and agenda. Until that point we're obligated to help where we can.

[Archon_Turtle]

we're obligated to help where we can.

See thats the thing though. We don't factor in if we can or can't. We just do. If you ask me, a country whos national debt increases by an average of 3.88 billion dollars a day isn't really in the position to be helping anybody.

[plastroncafe]

See thats the thing though. We don't factor in if we can or can't. We just do. If you ask me, a country whos national debt increases by an average of 3.88 billion dollars a day isn't really in the position to be helping anybody.

No you've got a good point, and for a long time I was an isolationist for just that reason. If our economical woes could be fixed by not helping those in need outside our borders, I'd be behind scaling that help back.

But let's face it, our financial problems aren't because we're giving too much away....but because our own internal priorities are seriously out of whack. *shrugs*

I mean, come on. The healthcare reform debate alone is indicator enough of that.

[Archon_Turtle]

No you've got a good point, and for a long time I was an isolationist for just that reason. If our economical woes could be fixed by not helping those in need outside our borders, I'd be behind scaling that help back.

But let's face it, our financial problems aren't because we're giving too much away....but because our own internal priorities are seriously out of whack. *shrugs*

I mean, come on. The healthcare reform debate alone is indicator enough of that.

Also fair points. Highfive for healthy debate!

...jerkface.

[plastroncafe]

Also fair points. Highfive for healthy debate!

...jerkface.

*highfive*

YOUR MOM!

[Leo656]

Lest we forget that only I can make "Your mom" jokes, Dumpster Neck.

Seriously though, I think it's part of what makes us America. For all the sh*t people around the world talk about us never minding our own business, we sure do rebuild a lotta countries. Sometimes it's because we blew 'em half to smithereens, but hey, at least we pick up our toys when we get through playing.

I'm a real jerk, but when I think of Haiti, I see a tragedy where we can lend a hand. New Orleans I just was like, "You live in a city that's like 7 miles below sea level, don't cry about getting flooded out." It's like living in California and crying about Earthquakes, or living in Newark and complaining that there aren't any white people...

But seriously, who would do all the foreign aid stuff America does if we stopped doing it? If we can make the world better, then we should do it, even if it isn't "cost-effective". I mean hell, NASA isn't "cost-effective", but without their work most of the technology we cling to like hapless children wouldn't exist.

It's like blowing your last $20 til payday on comic books. Maybe you feel like you can't afford it, but in the long run it's better that you did.

[Powder]

Eh I agree with points you've all made... Seems we often go for broke in helping other nations when our own people are starving & homeless. I'm all for supporting those who need it, don't get me wrong.. but I think our first priority should be to get ourselves along. To be completely honest, I think our country just kisses ass in case we need help in war, or want to strip them of natural resources (I.E. we just spent millions rebuilding country X, why would we take all of your oil?!)

[Katie]

It's good that we can help where we can.


Also, If the media covered poverty and tragedy in this country like they are covering Haiti, people would give. Monkey no see, monkey no do. Damn! all I gotta do is text to give money to Haiti? easy.

Don't see any text to help skid row......or text to feed poor people in Mississippi...

[plastroncafe]

Lest we forget that only I can make "Your mom" jokes, Dumpster Neck.

Damnit!
I knew there was a reason my first insult response was "NICE FACE!"
*facepalms*

[Venom]

This is one of those points that make me seem like a huge asshole. I'm all for America helping other countries who try and help themselves, but there should be a limit to those whose own governments do nothing but squander away the aid America (and the UN) gives them. Yes, I'm looking at you Africa. e_e Perhaps I haven't researched the matter in great depth, but I feel the USA should cut it's aid there. You have a continent of sickly, impoverished people who are largely oppressed by corrupt leaders.

The world is becoming too populated and a great strain is being put on our natural resources, so by cutting back aid to places that seem to never change (for the most part) there would be massive dying-off of those in other countries who solely depend on other countries' aid to live.

There. I've said my part. :)

[***The One True Shredder***]

This is one of those points that make me seem like a huge asshole. I'm all for America helping other countries who try and help themselves...perhaps I haven't researched the matter in great depth, but I feel the USA should cut it's aid there. You have a continent of sickly, impoverished people who are largely oppressed by corrupt leaders.

The world is becoming too populated and a great strain is being put on our natural resources, so by cutting back aid to places that seem to never change (for the most part) there would be massive dying-off of those in other countries who solely depend on other countries' aid to live.


I agree with you on this. Completely.

[Archon_Turtle]

This is one of those points that make me seem like a huge asshole. I'm all for America helping other countries who try and help themselves, but there should be a limit to those whose own governments do nothing but squander away the aid America (and the UN) gives them. Yes, I'm looking at you Africa. e_e Perhaps I haven't researched the matter in great depth, but I feel the USA should cut it's aid there. You have a continent of sickly, impoverished people who are largely oppressed by corrupt leaders.

The world is becoming too populated and a great strain is being put on our natural resources, so by cutting back aid to places that seem to never change (for the most part) there would be massive dying-off of those in other countries who solely depend on other countries' aid to live.

There. I've said my part. :)

I dont think it makes you an asshole. I can understand the whole natural selection point of view. It's not like youre saying to nuke the hell out of the poor countries to wipe them out.

I get it man. I don't know that I totally agree. BUt I get it.

[Katie]

^^ It's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation for the US. If we did pull aide from Africa (or anywhere) after being a huge donor we'd be trashed in the international media for letting people die off. ....and some of those really poor countries we help don't like us even though we help.

I'd rather be hated and helping than hated for doing nothing

[Powder]

Well there are conspiracy theories that tie in to the whole africa thing. Theres one that says the government created AIDS & administered it to the african people through 'smallpox shots' in order to carry out a 'depopulization' plan. & in the meanwhile, we would aide them as not to look like the enemy. I'm kind of like crazy uncle that everyone pokes fun at during family reunions when it comes to this stuff, so take what I say with a grain of salt. One never knows, corruption is in fact afoot.

[***The One True Shredder***]

Powder, nobody who read your posts on here and saw your facebook pics would ever think it was the same person :twink: