I think it has more to do with the fact that children here in america do not suffer so much as children in undeveloped nations do.

If it weren't for international aid programs in undeveloped nations there would be no resources for those people.

Whereas in the US you have developed services; government programs that help to keep children off the street, free soup kitchens, churches and reststops that take in the homeless at night, fairly wealthy citizens that might give you their change. Shoot, you even have free housing for alcoholics and drug addicts.

That's a great deal better than being out in the desert with absolutely nothing, hoping that you aren't butchered in the next political uprising in the region.

I think the bigger problem with those commericals is barely any of that money actually gets to those people, and a lot of that money, ironically, ends up lining the pockets of the dictators who create those conditions.

There are certainly problems here at home, but I don't think that means we should begin refusing help to other people who are obviously worse off.

I think the bigger problem with those commericals is barely any of that money actually gets to those people, and a lot of that money, ironically, ends up lining the pockets of the dictators who create those conditions.

I think this is what pisses me off. It's not the poor people's fault, not a bit, but knowing good money goes to building another annex in Mr. Dictators one of many castles just pisses me off to no end.

Sort of like donating to one of those bogus animal welfare groups that spends most of the money they get on creating more junkmail than helping the animals they care so much about. That pisses me off too.

Though I do admit I'm one of these people who'd much rather see US dollars used to improve programs for the needy here at home. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

> Though I do admit I'm one of these people who'd
> much rather see US dollars used to improve
> programs for the needy here at home.

While I tend to agree to a certain extent, a reasonable case could be made that kids are kids, and that whatever flag they were born under has nothing to do with whether or not they deserve to be fed.

A case could also be made - pretty convincingly, I think - that those living at the poverty line here in the US do much better than 90% of the population in some countries. Fact is, you know you're doing well when your poor people who are statistically more likely overweight than your rich people. That role is reversed from most other countries.

Can't argue with you there Jeff. Our poor often fare better than those in third world countries. But it's pretty messed up that we are the worlds richest nation and we have this problem. It irks me that we pour our heart out for those in other countries, yet choose to ignore our problems at home. Starving kids shouldn't be an issue in the US--but it is.

I'm not saying don't help out the other people across the seas. Donating money is fine and dandy as long as it gets to where it needs to go (which it often doesn't). We should help out where we can, but not by neglecting our fellow countrymen in need (which I feel we do a lot of the time). I don't think the US should be responsible, or expected, to just fork out cash and donations to every country begging for hand outs. Why is that our job? Why can't they, and why don't they, take care of their own people?

I find it odd that there are no commercials on our TVs pointing out that America does have a problem with homelessness, kids going hungry, mentally ill living on our streets. I've seen some for domestic violence, numerous diseases (MS, Daibetes, etc)...

Why is it so hush hush?

But what! It's America! No one suffers in America! Everybody eats burgers and watches reality TV! No one suffers in America!

And so forth.

Our place is the same. I gave up on Blair sorting out our own country. I think I'm gonna go live in America. And eat burgers. Yeah. And not suffer. Of course.

I have to agree with you, Zoso. I really dislike those commercials because that happens here too, and times are getting even tighter so why not help ourselves rather than other countries? But I suppose the US has to keep up it's reputation of "helping" the poorer and less fortunate countries. People at my school are already questioning why the US hasn't taken over the world yet, which is incredibly sad that people my age think this way.

But anyway, I was babysitting my younger cousin the other day and one of those commercials came on. He immediately started asking why don't they have enough money and why they weren't helping themselves. I just said that some countries are less fortunate than ours, but then he asked me this: "But why don't we help the poor people here?" I couldn't even answer him!

"I think the bigger problem with those commericals is barely any of that money actually gets to those people, and a lot of that money, ironically, ends up lining the pockets of the dictators who create those conditions."

Effing SIGNED. This speaks truth.