Making micro loans to people in third world countries

[Arraya]

Yeah lets make third world villagers debt slaves like us because we are so prosperous.

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani]Flu: Charity has nothing to do with nationalism. This “us” versus “them” approach is misguided IMO. Besides, efforts like Kiva hardly count as charity: you get your money back, after all, sans interest.[/quote]

I beg to differ. Charity is possible when we are in a position to help others. Perhaps not that I have issues with individuals like you and me doing this, but I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries, when plenty of kids here need it…ESPECIALLY since the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn’t running a budget surplus. And like I said, when our well is dry, how many other countries are really going to help us? This isn’t about patriotism/nationalism…It’s about survival. We’re really not in a position to help others out anymore.

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani]Flu: Charity has nothing to do with nationalism. This “us” versus “them” approach is misguided IMO. Besides, efforts like Kiva hardly count as charity: you get your money back, after all, sans interest.[/quote]

I beg to differ. Charity is possible when we are in a position to help others. Perhaps not that I have issues with individuals like you and me doing this, but I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries, when plenty of kids here need it…ESPECIALLY since the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn’t running a budget surplus. And like I said, when our well is dry, how many other countries are really going to help us? This isn’t about patriotism/nationalism…It’s about survival. We’re really not in a position to help others out anymore.

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani]Flu: Charity has nothing to do with nationalism. This “us” versus “them” approach is misguided IMO. Besides, efforts like Kiva hardly count as charity: you get your money back, after all, sans interest.[/quote]

I beg to differ. Charity is possible when we are in a position to help others. Perhaps not that I have issues with individuals like you and me doing this, but I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries, when plenty of kids here need it…ESPECIALLY since the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn’t running a budget surplus. And like I said, when our well is dry, how many other countries are really going to help us? This isn’t about patriotism/nationalism…It’s about survival. We’re really not in a position to help others out anymore.

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani]Flu: Charity has nothing to do with nationalism. This “us” versus “them” approach is misguided IMO. Besides, efforts like Kiva hardly count as charity: you get your money back, after all, sans interest.[/quote]

I beg to differ. Charity is possible when we are in a position to help others. Perhaps not that I have issues with individuals like you and me doing this, but I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries, when plenty of kids here need it…ESPECIALLY since the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn’t running a budget surplus. And like I said, when our well is dry, how many other countries are really going to help us? This isn’t about patriotism/nationalism…It’s about survival. We’re really not in a position to help others out anymore.

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani]Flu: Charity has nothing to do with nationalism. This “us” versus “them” approach is misguided IMO. Besides, efforts like Kiva hardly count as charity: you get your money back, after all, sans interest.[/quote]

I beg to differ. Charity is possible when we are in a position to help others. Perhaps not that I have issues with individuals like you and me doing this, but I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries, when plenty of kids here need it…ESPECIALLY since the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn’t running a budget surplus. And like I said, when our well is dry, how many other countries are really going to help us? This isn’t about patriotism/nationalism…It’s about survival. We’re really not in a position to help others out anymore.

[Coronita]

[quote=svelte][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.

[/quote]

I also donate money through regular paycheck deductions to children in the US, Flu.

But I am also aware that the we cannot survive without other countries being prosperous too. So I feel compelled to help that along, and kiva.org is the best way I’ve found yet to do that.

If you feel the US can be all that it can be while half the globe is impoverished, I have to question your ability to see the big picture.[/quote]

I think it’s time for the rest of the world who are prosperous to start showing their world leadership and pitch in to help others in need. We (as a country) are broke.

What really bothers me, it seems like so many foreign nationals despise americans and yet have no problem taking our donations. Folks laugh about our nation debt/deficit, but don’t have a problem accepting aid packages that Congress authorize.

[Coronita]

[quote=svelte][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.

[/quote]

I also donate money through regular paycheck deductions to children in the US, Flu.

But I am also aware that the we cannot survive without other countries being prosperous too. So I feel compelled to help that along, and kiva.org is the best way I’ve found yet to do that.

If you feel the US can be all that it can be while half the globe is impoverished, I have to question your ability to see the big picture.[/quote]

I think it’s time for the rest of the world who are prosperous to start showing their world leadership and pitch in to help others in need. We (as a country) are broke.

What really bothers me, it seems like so many foreign nationals despise americans and yet have no problem taking our donations. Folks laugh about our nation debt/deficit, but don’t have a problem accepting aid packages that Congress authorize.

[Coronita]

[quote=svelte][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.

[/quote]

I also donate money through regular paycheck deductions to children in the US, Flu.

But I am also aware that the we cannot survive without other countries being prosperous too. So I feel compelled to help that along, and kiva.org is the best way I’ve found yet to do that.

If you feel the US can be all that it can be while half the globe is impoverished, I have to question your ability to see the big picture.[/quote]

I think it’s time for the rest of the world who are prosperous to start showing their world leadership and pitch in to help others in need. We (as a country) are broke.

What really bothers me, it seems like so many foreign nationals despise americans and yet have no problem taking our donations. Folks laugh about our nation debt/deficit, but don’t have a problem accepting aid packages that Congress authorize.

[Coronita]

[quote=svelte][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.

[/quote]

I also donate money through regular paycheck deductions to children in the US, Flu.

But I am also aware that the we cannot survive without other countries being prosperous too. So I feel compelled to help that along, and kiva.org is the best way I’ve found yet to do that.

If you feel the US can be all that it can be while half the globe is impoverished, I have to question your ability to see the big picture.[/quote]

I think it’s time for the rest of the world who are prosperous to start showing their world leadership and pitch in to help others in need. We (as a country) are broke.

What really bothers me, it seems like so many foreign nationals despise americans and yet have no problem taking our donations. Folks laugh about our nation debt/deficit, but don’t have a problem accepting aid packages that Congress authorize.

[Coronita]

[quote=svelte][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.

[/quote]

I also donate money through regular paycheck deductions to children in the US, Flu.

But I am also aware that the we cannot survive without other countries being prosperous too. So I feel compelled to help that along, and kiva.org is the best way I’ve found yet to do that.

If you feel the US can be all that it can be while half the globe is impoverished, I have to question your ability to see the big picture.[/quote]

I think it’s time for the rest of the world who are prosperous to start showing their world leadership and pitch in to help others in need. We (as a country) are broke.

What really bothers me, it seems like so many foreign nationals despise americans and yet have no problem taking our donations. Folks laugh about our nation debt/deficit, but don’t have a problem accepting aid packages that Congress authorize.

[Diego Mamani]

[quote=flu]… I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries…[/quote]

I see, you were talking about Congress-mandated aid. That is off-off topic in this thread. In any case, any foreign aid approved by Congress is usually peanuts. Let me explain. The US protects its farmers with huge trade tariffs imposed against certain imported products, like corn and avocados, etc. The result is that we, U.S. consumers, pay $1.50 for one avocado that would cost $0.25 or less in a free-trade world.

This amounts to you and me being forced to give charity to U.S. farmers. That is bad enough. But what is really atrocious is the fact that the current scheme amounts to stealing from farmers in poor countries. By imposing tariffs, we artificially reduce the income of third countries by billions. In exchange, the US Congress sends a few million dollars as “foreign aid”.

And you still think we are being too generous? I don’t think so. I hope this Thanksgiving our farmers were very grateful for their continued windfall. Unfortunately, they take it for granted and believe they are entitled to all those subsidies, price support schemes, and trade tariffs.

(/libertarian rant OFF)

[Diego Mamani]

[quote=flu]… I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries…[/quote]

I see, you were talking about Congress-mandated aid. That is off-off topic in this thread. In any case, any foreign aid approved by Congress is usually peanuts. Let me explain. The US protects its farmers with huge trade tariffs imposed against certain imported products, like corn and avocados, etc. The result is that we, U.S. consumers, pay $1.50 for one avocado that would cost $0.25 or less in a free-trade world.

This amounts to you and me being forced to give charity to U.S. farmers. That is bad enough. But what is really atrocious is the fact that the current scheme amounts to stealing from farmers in poor countries. By imposing tariffs, we artificially reduce the income of third countries by billions. In exchange, the US Congress sends a few million dollars as “foreign aid”.

And you still think we are being too generous? I don’t think so. I hope this Thanksgiving our farmers were very grateful for their continued windfall. Unfortunately, they take it for granted and believe they are entitled to all those subsidies, price support schemes, and trade tariffs.

(/libertarian rant OFF)

[Diego Mamani]

[quote=flu]… I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries…[/quote]

I see, you were talking about Congress-mandated aid. That is off-off topic in this thread. In any case, any foreign aid approved by Congress is usually peanuts. Let me explain. The US protects its farmers with huge trade tariffs imposed against certain imported products, like corn and avocados, etc. The result is that we, U.S. consumers, pay $1.50 for one avocado that would cost $0.25 or less in a free-trade world.

This amounts to you and me being forced to give charity to U.S. farmers. That is bad enough. But what is really atrocious is the fact that the current scheme amounts to stealing from farmers in poor countries. By imposing tariffs, we artificially reduce the income of third countries by billions. In exchange, the US Congress sends a few million dollars as “foreign aid”.

And you still think we are being too generous? I don’t think so. I hope this Thanksgiving our farmers were very grateful for their continued windfall. Unfortunately, they take it for granted and believe they are entitled to all those subsidies, price support schemes, and trade tariffs.

(/libertarian rant OFF)

[Diego Mamani]

[quote=flu]… I don’t understand why OUR nation (Congress) authorizes “relief” packages to foreign countries…[/quote]

I see, you were talking about Congress-mandated aid. That is off-off topic in this thread. In any case, any foreign aid approved by Congress is usually peanuts. Let me explain. The US protects its farmers with huge trade tariffs imposed against certain imported products, like corn and avocados, etc. The result is that we, U.S. consumers, pay $1.50 for one avocado that would cost $0.25 or less in a free-trade world.

This amounts to you and me being forced to give charity to U.S. farmers. That is bad enough. But what is really atrocious is the fact that the current scheme amounts to stealing from farmers in poor countries. By imposing tariffs, we artificially reduce the income of third countries by billions. In exchange, the US Congress sends a few million dollars as “foreign aid”.

And you still think we are being too generous? I don’t think so. I hope this Thanksgiving our farmers were very grateful for their continued windfall. Unfortunately, they take it for granted and believe they are entitled to all those subsidies, price support schemes, and trade tariffs.

(/libertarian rant OFF)

[Author]

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