[quote=flu]I am going to ask a very crass question. Why do folks feel compelled to help people in other countries when there are several kids/children starving in this country? Just curious.
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I’m happy to help people who need microcredit locally and in the US. Two reasons to help people overseas, though: 1. Third-world entrepeneurs need (a lot) less money to get started, and 2. Their odds of getting reasonable local financing is much lower.
The key feature of microcredit is that you’re helping ambitious people who want to help themselves by creating a self-sufficient business. Donations (in addition to having problems with corruption) tend to destroy local businesses by giving away what the local businessmen are trying to sell. Growing local business reduces the need for donations, and returns your donation when it’s done.
