All Things Being Equal...

[Dan.Linehan]

Ceteris paribus, which is more important?


The bottom billion poorest folks on the planet to have food and water so they can survive?

or

The top billion richest folks to have luxery goods?

[Jennihul]

Why choose? Both is more fun.

Jennifer

[Dan.Linehan]

That's a good question.

I would say it can't be both, simply because we've shown as a culture that we don't really focus on both.

Let's assume it would take $200 Billion annually to treat worldwide poverty.

Have we made that initiative a priority as a country? No. Why not? Lot's of people have new TVs..

[schola]

Throwing money at the problem hasn't solved the poverty in Africa; at least on a government level. The corrupt governments (the cause of most of the problems in Africa) hoard most of the aid money for themselves or it falls into the hands of warlords who use it to fund their civil war efforts.

Either way, it hardly ever gets to where it is supposed to go.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10509966

I like this charity that gives micro loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs in 3rd world countries: Kiva - Loans that change lives. Not only does the money go directly to the people, but Kiva encourages fiscal responsibility by giving out loans that are expected to be paid back.

With the way our economic system is unraveling though, I think the balance of power will shift to the east soon enough.

[Angela]

Ahhh, I didn't understand at first what you were asking ... should we make it policy to focus on one or the other in our efforts to make a difference.

I think the key would be focusing on raising consciousness, such that it would be inspiring and worthwhile for individuals to want to make a difference. If the richest of the rich could be inspired to make world satiation a priority, that would be especially cool. I'm inspired by the efforts of the Gates's in the areas of world health and hunger, and by Richard Branson's organization for world peace. Those two fellas, I think, are likely to have a big influence on their fellow wealthmongers, because I think they're admired and to be emulated amongst the hoity toity.

So, what can we non-billionaires do that's inspiring enough that the tipping point could be reached? Got any ideas?

[Brutha]

Let's assume it would take $200 Billion annually to treat worldwide poverty.

That sum wouldn't take away all luxury goods from western countries. It around what Iraq costs for the US.
It would probably have a much better return on investment than the Iraq war on all counts, even Oil.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Brutha

That sum wouldn't take away all luxury goods from western countries. It around what Iraq costs for the US.
It would probably have a much better return on investment than the Iraq war on all counts, even Oil.

Exactly my point. The return would have been drastically better.

[Still Growing]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

That's a good question.

I would say it can't be both, simply because we've shown as a culture that we don't really focus on both.

Let's assume it would take $200 Billion annually to treat worldwide poverty.

Have we made that initiative a priority as a country? No. Why not? Lot's of people have new TVs..

Well Dan what you're talking about is similiar to communism. Its greed that makes that $200 Billion to be created.

Its better to tax $200 Billion in wealth creation by a fair percentage and then have those people re-invest into their businesses to create another $200 Billion in revenue that can be taxed again the next year.

With your thinking they would take even more from the producers of the world stopping their re-investment and virtually killing all new GDP growth.

Again, they have already tried communism and it didn't work.

If it did then it would be utopia.... We'd all have plenty of food, we'd all be wealthy and we'd all be equal. I'm sure you have a good heart and I like where you're coming from though...

[Jennihul]

Between Bill and Melinda Gates, their foundation and Warren Buffett, that much HAS been thrown at poverty already.

Poverty isn't about money. We should repeat that, it's so important: Poverty is not about a lack of money.



PS: I LOVE KIVA!

Jennifer