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Bono Urges Canada to Increase Foreign Aid

justin syder

justin syder

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Personally, I don't think he's being overzealous in his fight -- all he did was basically give a press conference. I don't think it's wrong to voice your opinion on something you feel strongly about (assuming it's not hate speech). If it's an insane rant I'll ignore it; If it's coherent I'll consider it.

Bono has gone around the world and endorsed politicians that have made commitments to help fight poverty. As I recall, Bono gave a big endorsement speech to Martin at a Liberal convention after Martin made commitments to fight poverty. I think Bono feels Martin hasn't lived up to these commitments so he's making a bit of noise about it. Seems like straightforward horse-trading politics.

Fighting poverty is a noble goal. It's one of those goals you can't really be against (I think it would be very hard to argue desperate poverty is a good thing). However, the tough part is figuring out how to actually fix the situation. That's a non-trivial problem.

We do have a budget surplus and could afford to triple our foreign aid if we wanted to. Should we? For me, I think it comes down to the adage: give a man a fish and you've fed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you've fed him for life. If we are just going to be "buying fish" then I don't think it's good value. If we would be "teaching how to fish" (i.e. increasing sustainable development and long term improvements) then I think it would be of good value and would support it.
 
I think we should use that surplus to fix the welfare state the Marites is becoming before we go tossing money at Africa, which normally winds up in the despots' pockets anyway.
 
Well, I think we should use some surplus to help the Maritimes expand into new industries, since they've got big unemployment problems right now. I would reccomend focusing on offshore oil drilling, there's always a market for it, and I've read that there's a ton of oil deposits off the coast in that area.
 
Before we even give more forein aid for poverty in other countries, Canada should fix itself first. What kind of a role model are you if your own country doesn't get the money to fight poverty but others do?
 
With all due respect Mischief007, I think the poor people of North America are way better off than the poor in Africa.

I think that once you fix the corruption and dictatorships in Africa is when you will have a better chance at fixing that continent.
 
^i don't

living a poor life in a whealthy neighbourhood is worse than living a poor life in a poor neighbourhood

i think they as well have homeless people, who have to sleep outside, in the freezing cold
 
But it is easier here to get help, to get into a shelter. It is easier to get a job or food if you are homeless, of course in comparison to Africa.

I saw a documentary about diamonds and Africans risk their lives to get diamonds and get less than 10% of what it is worth or make enough just to barely get by.

How many people are risking their lives in North America just to get by? We have far more oppotuniry compared to someone in Africa, they have just about nothing.
 
Bono is a douchebag, period, that's all there is.

After he came here to sing for Paul Martin like Marylin did for JFK, I just get the urge to kick him in the face whenever I hear of him. What a fucking idiot... he thinks God put him in this world so he can save the starving children... just stick to your music which isn't even that great, asshat.

Besides, how does Bono know what Canadians want? Did he put up a poll on his blog for his fans to vote on? All of these celebrities are so out of touch with reality anyway, all of them without exception. Did anyone hear about Tom Cruise buying Katie Holmes an ultrasound machine to watch their baby day and night? :roll:
 
I guess socialism extends only to your own country...after that, the hell with everyone else.

This isn't fighting terrorism, I would have thought some Canadians on here would have wanted to fight this cause. :?
 
I'm all for giving aid, no question. But even more important that giving money is creating opportunity.

It's weird that Africa is so rich with minerals, but the continent is so poor. A lot of people are being exploited there, whether it's by their own people or governments or these multinational corporations.

You mentioned diamonds. Conflict diamonds (Link to wiki)are the reason I wouldn't buy a diamond and tell people not to either.
 
justin syder said:
With all due respect Mischief007, I think the poor people of North America are way better off than the poor in Africa.
Click to expand...

Absolutely no question about that.


I'm not against foreign aid, but it should be voluntary.
 
justin syder said:
With all due respect Mischief007, I think the poor people of North America are way better off than the poor in Africa.

I think that once you fix the corruption and dictatorships in Africa is when you will have a better chance at fixing that continent.
Click to expand...

I agree they may be better off just some people don't use. BUT you also hit it on the head with your second point. Corruption is what drives the world to be a much less desirable world.

What I would like to see is all the "Musicians" and "Actors" who make a shit load of money to join the cause and help. Usually they are the ones who should really be helping out. Plus I'm sure with donations they get tax breaks from their local government. I'm tired of hearing that governments HAVE to have foreign aid. What about Britney Spears who made a ton of money? I always hear Mr. Gates donating but never anybody else. Now I could be wrong but I'm just trying to make a point.

Also remember who makes these people rich ;).
 
Shawn_230 said:
Bono is a douchebag, period, that's all there is.

After he came here to sing for Paul Martin like Marylin did for JFK, I just get the urge to kick him in the face whenever I hear of him. What a fucking idiot... he thinks God put him in this world so he can save the starving children... just stick to your music which isn't even that great, asshat.

Besides, how does Bono know what Canadians want? Did he put up a poll on his blog for his fans to vote on? All of these celebrities are so out of touch with reality anyway, all of them without exception. Did anyone hear about Tom Cruise buying Katie Holmes an ultrasound machine to watch their baby day and night? :roll:
Click to expand...

Quit your hatin'. Anyone has a right to voice their opinions even if they're celebrities. It just so happens that Bono is voicing his opinion and its not about the US, so people get up in arms.
 
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