American corporate agriculture is heavily subsidized and NAFTA has allowed subsidized American corn to flood the Mexican market putting Mexican farmers out of work leading to a result of increased attempts at illegal immigration to work on american farms.
i agree.
a lot of WTO issues revolve around the US (and EU) subsidizing industries that destroy chances that south-eastern asian countries and african countries have of competing and growing economically. Subsidizing is a great way of keeping people paid for their work in your own country but its anti-competitive by nature and someone somewhere gets fucked over as a result.
i think the whole thing about the natural resources seems to be extending into everything he's doing - creating a sense of patriotism/nationality in Venezuela. But he is what he is. a Castro wanabe
i think irelands a good example of a better democracy than the US.
How exactly did this turn to a thread about the US and Georgie boy? The US plays a very small part in this equation that Chavez has developed.
While Cosmo brings up a very valid point that Venezuela, namely it's vast lower class, has not had the opportunity to cash in on the nation's natural resource of oil. Multi-nationals have been robbing that country blind for decades. So Chavez nationalized the oil industries AFTER giving the companies an opportunity to give a very large chunk of profits to the government for the right to stay in country. The companies denied the offer and Chavez nationalized oil. Socialist? Yes. Necessary? Probably. If there were domestic companies in place capable of pumping the crude then nationalization of the industry would have been questionable, imo, but, as far as I know, there are no Venezuelan private companies which would qualify. The government is now rolling in oil money which has created a great opportunity for Chavez to turn his country around and invest in the people. Has he? No. He's investing in himself and his lifelong desire to be like Castro. This referendum has 69 changes in law rolled into one question. He's counting on the ignorant lower class to give him the power he craves (assuming a "fair" referendum takes place). He has shut down anti-Chavez media outlets, he hangs out with the shadiest characters in the world (Castro, Ahmenijaad, Kim Jong Il, Mugabe, etc.). These characters aren't just shady to the Americans, they are recognized threats to the entire world and looked upon as some of the worst leaders out there, by any nation's standards. Unless you're a total nutjob, these aren't the people you choose to align yourself with if your true interest is to create a Venezuela that the world respects and wants to trade with. The scary part, and the part that the rest of the world needs to understand, is that Chavez's unending power and high oil incomes mean more money being passed between 3 or 4 of the shadiest countries in the world. America is not the only country threatened by the results of tomorrow's referendum.
"Worse than traitors in arms are the men who pretend loyalty to the flag, feast and fatten on the misfortunes of the nation while patriotic blood is crimsoning the plains." -- Abraham Lincoln
Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
I'm sure a lot of innocent children around the world are crying you your river right now.
Clinton/Bush...same deal.. It's a little bit bigger than that right left petty argument.
Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
To clarify a few things: oil and iron were nationalized in Venezuela in 1976, it was done by Frmr. President Carlos Andrés Pérez. Just get this fact straight.
About the shutting down of RCTV, this time I won't bother to explain why it was wrong in terms of legality, Constitutionality and Freedom of Speech. It is useless. PFS's have won this battle.
First and foremost, in some European countries there are no limits to reelections, but those are Parliamentary Regimes and check and balances actually exist. Venezuela has a Presidential Regime. So there's a significant difference in terms of the power given to Congress to counter balance Prime Ministers in Europe.
Second, right now in Venezuela there's not single governmental institution acting as a counter balance. All Congress members are from Chavez' political parties (yes, the opposition can only blame itself for this). Judiciary Power is entirely controled by Chavez as well. An so on.
Third, this reform -besides the indefinite reelection- has other very troubling issues. 1) Governors will no longer be elected by popular vote, if this Reform passes, Chavez will be have the power to appoint Governors. The Reform also included the re-arrangement of Venezuela's geographical division, which will dilute whatever little power the opposition has in some areas, namely Caracas. 2) the Reform will give the President (Chavez) the attribution to decree state of exception whenever he wants to, without Congress approval. During such states of exception, all Constitutional Guarantees will be out of effect as well as Habeas Corpus.
Fourth, Central Bank will no longer be independent. Actually this would only serve as an "outing" 'cause it's been years since Venezuela's Central Bank acted with independence from the Executive.
Both the Reform and Venezuela's current situation should be analyzed separately from Bush. Some of you guys from developed countries are unable to analyze things without falling into the already beaten to death issue of "pro or anti USA".
If this Reform passes, and sadly I believe it will, whatever little democratic space remaining in Venezuela will be extinguished. But, hey, as long as he's opposing Bush I guess it is OK, right? If this Reform would be taking place in, let's say (I'll fall into the cliche) the US, herds of people would be tearing up their clothes and screaming about the injustice of the whole thing and the inherent evilness of the whole deal. However, since these proposals stem from the left, they great and its sole purpose is to benefit the poor and the desinfranchized...
What appals me the most is that all this support for Chavez comes from the same people that consider themselves the single owners of the Human Rights. Well I guess only those alligned with the left are worthy of Human Rights, too sad 'cause that beautiful declaration actually is The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
By the way, I consider myself closer to the liberal side of the political spectrum, but more than anything I am a democratic person. And when I hear, as I did Friday, an important politician from Venezuela saying that Chavez believes that "politics is war carried out by different means (reversing Von Klausevitz well known statement about "war being politics carried out by different means") I get scared, 'cause this means that Chavez thinks that politics and democracy are an antagonic system, involving the annihilation of the adversary, when democracy should be a system for consensus and deliberation as Norberto Bobbio and Jürgen Habermas so wisely have stated.
Nevertheless, I'm somewhat optimistic, Venezuela's universitary students rising their voices, even after being shot, gives me hope for my adoptive country.
Peace
Caterina
A "Yes" vote would scrap limits on how long Chavez can rule as president and he has said he will stay on for decades if Venezuelans keep voting for him.
The reforms also would give him control over the central bank and foreign currency reserves bloated by high oil export revenues, reduce the workday to six hours and extend social security benefits to self-employed workers such as street vendors.
Government worker Yelitza Rodriguez, 37, told Reuters she voted for the referendum as a step toward creating a more equal society, despite her misgivings about indefinite reelection.
"Most of the reform favors the people," she said.
And that is exactly the point of this vote... Let the people vote on the parts of this referendum alone and the election changes would never pass...
"Almost unconsciously he traced with his finger in the dust on the table: 2+2=5" 1984
How exactly did this turn to a thread about the US and Georgie boy? The US plays a very small part in this equation that Chavez has developed.
While Cosmo brings up a very valid point that Venezuela, namely it's vast lower class, has not had the opportunity to cash in on the nation's natural resource of oil. Multi-nationals have been robbing that country blind for decades. So Chavez nationalized the oil industries AFTER giving the companies an opportunity to give a very large chunk of profits to the government for the right to stay in country. The companies denied the offer and Chavez nationalized oil. Socialist? Yes. Necessary? Probably. If there were domestic companies in place capable of pumping the crude then nationalization of the industry would have been questionable, imo, but, as far as I know, there are no Venezuelan private companies which would qualify. The government is now rolling in oil money which has created a great opportunity for Chavez to turn his country around and invest in the people. Has he? No. He's investing in himself and his lifelong desire to be like Castro. This referendum has 69 changes in law rolled into one question. He's counting on the ignorant lower class to give him the power he craves (assuming a "fair" referendum takes place). He has shut down anti-Chavez media outlets, he hangs out with the shadiest characters in the world (Castro, Ahmenijaad, Kim Jong Il, Mugabe, etc.). These characters aren't just shady to the Americans, they are recognized threats to the entire world and looked upon as some of the worst leaders out there, by any nation's standards. Unless you're a total nutjob, these aren't the people you choose to align yourself with if your true interest is to create a Venezuela that the world respects and wants to trade with. The scary part, and the part that the rest of the world needs to understand, is that Chavez's unending power and high oil incomes mean more money being passed between 3 or 4 of the shadiest countries in the world. America is not the only country threatened by the results of tomorrow's referendum.
Nicely said. Some people on this board will turn anything into an attack on Bush or the US. Trust me there is a hell of a lot that this country, and the Bush administration, has done that is beyond ficked up and they should be taken to task for it. It just seems that people will excuse actions, like Chavez's, simply because the US, or Bush specifically, has been involved in some less than savory activities. Unfortunetly your excellent post will more than likely fall on deaf ears, or blind eyes, because these people live with blinders on.
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
Nicely said. Some people on this board will turn anything into an attack on Bush or the US. Trust me there is a hell of a lot that this country, and the Bush administration, has done that is beyond ficked up and they should be taken to task for it. It just seems that people will excuse actions, like Chavez's, simply because the US, or Bush specifically, has been involved in some less than savory activities. Unfortunetly your excellent post will more than likely fall on deaf ears, or blind eyes, because these people live with blinders on.
i believe this to be another example of where someone's perceptions are pre-determined ... it's like everyone has divided themselves amongst various dichotomies and those views are set in stone ...
it's sad really because there are many great opinions here ... but we can't engage in discussions if one already thinks that views are pre-determined ... i think a large part of that is that too many people take comments about america far too personally - and get their backs up when really - they need to just listen and take it for what it really is ...
chavez is a great topic for this board i believe because it shows opposite policies to another extremist isn't the way to go either ... we have far more common ground amongst members of this board then we have differences - it's a matter of coming to a common understanding of what the facts and realities are ...
i believe this to be another example of where someone's perceptions are pre-determined ... it's like everyone has divided themselves amongst various dichotomies and those views are set in stone ...
it's sad really because there are many great opinions here ... but we can't engage in discussions if one already thinks that views are pre-determined ... i think a large part of that is that too many people take comments about america far too personally - and get their backs up when really - they need to just listen and take it for what it really is ...
chavez is a great topic for this board i believe because it shows opposite policies to another extremist isn't the way to go either ... we have far more common ground amongst members of this board then we have differences - it's a matter of coming to a common understanding of what the facts and realities are ...
I agree with you but when one of the first posts in a thread about Chavez's recent actions is about how horrorable the US is, is extremely aggrivating. I enjoy living in the US and will defend the country when it is required. I will also criticize the country when necessary. I'm not one of these uber-patriotic Americans who is going to sit here and defend my country even though their actions where clearly wrong. On the same note it is unfair to blame this country for every single wrong that occurs in the world. I know that the US have intervened in venezuelan affairs. I know that the last coup against Cahavez had US support. I am strongly oppossed to those actions as I feel that we should not meddle in another nations internal affairs, but to blame Chavez's decision on eliminating term limites on the US is utterly ridiculous and just down right stupid. Chavez came to this decision because he is a power hungry dictaror in the making. It has little to nothing to do with the US or our previous unsavory actions, but you will have people on this board turn any act or action into an anti-US rant.
This could have been a very interesting topic to discuss because as you said Chavez was on of the first modern latin American leaders to try to step out from under US hegemony in the region, but he has gone from being abeckon for other Latin American countries to becoming a dictator, much like Castro.
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
Canada has done nothing, he's new and looking for attention.
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
4.7 per cent in oct..pretty respectable...it's been low for awhile
bush did
the bill he signed in "no child" was more than he should have..i don't blame him for not increasing it
what you posted said it was up 56%...what do you want? send them all the money?
'President Bush has thus far rejected Blair's call to double aid to Africa, as well as the benchmark set by the OECD and signatories to the Monterrey Consensus, which called on developed countries to devote 0.7% of their gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015....
...The Bush Administration should join the UK, France, Italy and Germany and twelve other developed nations and commit to devote up to 0.7% of U.S. gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015.'
'President Bush has thus far rejected Blair's call to double aid to Africa, as well as the benchmark set by the OECD and signatories to the Monterrey Consensus, which called on developed countries to devote 0.7% of their gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015....
...The Bush Administration should join the UK, France, Italy and Germany and twelve other developed nations and commit to devote up to 0.7% of U.S. gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015.'
so what - giving is UP 56% - jeezee
hey, they should do some things they don't either - point is, aids relief is up more than any US prez
everyone calls us asshole and then says we ought to feel guilty about being the most blessed nation on earth
they can eat me
Who says you're the most blessed nation on Earth?
I can think of a ton of places on this Earth where I'd rather live.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Canada, I'd choose Canada.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Tahiti, I'd choose Tahiti.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or France, I'd choose France.
I could go on all day.
And I don't hate America, it's just not all it's made out to be.
Who says you're the most blessed nation on Earth?
I can think of a ton of places on this Earth where I'd rather live.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Canada, I'd choose Canada.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Tahiti, I'd choose Tahiti.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or France, I'd choose France.
I could go on all day.
And I don't hate America, it's just not all it's made out to be.
The US uses roughly one-fourth of all energy resources (round up to 100 QBTU), with roughly 5% of the world population (300 mil out of 6 bil). To bring the rest of the world to this level of energy consumption you would need 95/5* 100 = 1900 QBTU yearly, roughly four times the present production.
I.e, It would take 4 more Earths for the rest of the world to have a standard of living equivalent to the USA.
The U.S is also responsible for 25% of the worlds pollution.
Therefore, you owe the rest of the world a sizable debt.
Comments
roland's theme song
i agree.
a lot of WTO issues revolve around the US (and EU) subsidizing industries that destroy chances that south-eastern asian countries and african countries have of competing and growing economically. Subsidizing is a great way of keeping people paid for their work in your own country but its anti-competitive by nature and someone somewhere gets fucked over as a result.
i think the whole thing about the natural resources seems to be extending into everything he's doing - creating a sense of patriotism/nationality in Venezuela. But he is what he is. a Castro wanabe
i think irelands a good example of a better democracy than the US.
While Cosmo brings up a very valid point that Venezuela, namely it's vast lower class, has not had the opportunity to cash in on the nation's natural resource of oil. Multi-nationals have been robbing that country blind for decades. So Chavez nationalized the oil industries AFTER giving the companies an opportunity to give a very large chunk of profits to the government for the right to stay in country. The companies denied the offer and Chavez nationalized oil. Socialist? Yes. Necessary? Probably. If there were domestic companies in place capable of pumping the crude then nationalization of the industry would have been questionable, imo, but, as far as I know, there are no Venezuelan private companies which would qualify. The government is now rolling in oil money which has created a great opportunity for Chavez to turn his country around and invest in the people. Has he? No. He's investing in himself and his lifelong desire to be like Castro. This referendum has 69 changes in law rolled into one question. He's counting on the ignorant lower class to give him the power he craves (assuming a "fair" referendum takes place). He has shut down anti-Chavez media outlets, he hangs out with the shadiest characters in the world (Castro, Ahmenijaad, Kim Jong Il, Mugabe, etc.). These characters aren't just shady to the Americans, they are recognized threats to the entire world and looked upon as some of the worst leaders out there, by any nation's standards. Unless you're a total nutjob, these aren't the people you choose to align yourself with if your true interest is to create a Venezuela that the world respects and wants to trade with. The scary part, and the part that the rest of the world needs to understand, is that Chavez's unending power and high oil incomes mean more money being passed between 3 or 4 of the shadiest countries in the world. America is not the only country threatened by the results of tomorrow's referendum.
You're about as accurate as a cross-eyed dunk with a crooked rifle.
reality is a bitch...
http://www.youtube.com/v/GARJiDFXs2E
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
cry me a fuckin river...thank bill clinton
I'm sure a lot of innocent children around the world are crying you your river right now.
Clinton/Bush...same deal.. It's a little bit bigger than that right left petty argument.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
hey yr right
it's the all of america sucks dick argument
fuck canada
You started drinking early tonight I see...
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
To clarify a few things: oil and iron were nationalized in Venezuela in 1976, it was done by Frmr. President Carlos Andrés Pérez. Just get this fact straight.
About the shutting down of RCTV, this time I won't bother to explain why it was wrong in terms of legality, Constitutionality and Freedom of Speech. It is useless. PFS's have won this battle.
First and foremost, in some European countries there are no limits to reelections, but those are Parliamentary Regimes and check and balances actually exist. Venezuela has a Presidential Regime. So there's a significant difference in terms of the power given to Congress to counter balance Prime Ministers in Europe.
Second, right now in Venezuela there's not single governmental institution acting as a counter balance. All Congress members are from Chavez' political parties (yes, the opposition can only blame itself for this). Judiciary Power is entirely controled by Chavez as well. An so on.
Third, this reform -besides the indefinite reelection- has other very troubling issues. 1) Governors will no longer be elected by popular vote, if this Reform passes, Chavez will be have the power to appoint Governors. The Reform also included the re-arrangement of Venezuela's geographical division, which will dilute whatever little power the opposition has in some areas, namely Caracas. 2) the Reform will give the President (Chavez) the attribution to decree state of exception whenever he wants to, without Congress approval. During such states of exception, all Constitutional Guarantees will be out of effect as well as Habeas Corpus.
Fourth, Central Bank will no longer be independent. Actually this would only serve as an "outing" 'cause it's been years since Venezuela's Central Bank acted with independence from the Executive.
Both the Reform and Venezuela's current situation should be analyzed separately from Bush. Some of you guys from developed countries are unable to analyze things without falling into the already beaten to death issue of "pro or anti USA".
If this Reform passes, and sadly I believe it will, whatever little democratic space remaining in Venezuela will be extinguished. But, hey, as long as he's opposing Bush I guess it is OK, right? If this Reform would be taking place in, let's say (I'll fall into the cliche) the US, herds of people would be tearing up their clothes and screaming about the injustice of the whole thing and the inherent evilness of the whole deal. However, since these proposals stem from the left, they great and its sole purpose is to benefit the poor and the desinfranchized...
What appals me the most is that all this support for Chavez comes from the same people that consider themselves the single owners of the Human Rights. Well I guess only those alligned with the left are worthy of Human Rights, too sad 'cause that beautiful declaration actually is The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
By the way, I consider myself closer to the liberal side of the political spectrum, but more than anything I am a democratic person. And when I hear, as I did Friday, an important politician from Venezuela saying that Chavez believes that "politics is war carried out by different means (reversing Von Klausevitz well known statement about "war being politics carried out by different means") I get scared, 'cause this means that Chavez thinks that politics and democracy are an antagonic system, involving the annihilation of the adversary, when democracy should be a system for consensus and deliberation as Norberto Bobbio and Jürgen Habermas so wisely have stated.
Nevertheless, I'm somewhat optimistic, Venezuela's universitary students rising their voices, even after being shot, gives me hope for my adoptive country.
Peace
Caterina
And that is exactly the point of this vote... Let the people vote on the parts of this referendum alone and the election changes would never pass...
The reform did not pass. With 90% of votes counted the NO won by almost 2%. The Electoral Council said the trend is irreversible!!!!!!!!!!
Such a great day for Venezuela's democracy. Chavez no longer invincible!
Nicely said. Some people on this board will turn anything into an attack on Bush or the US. Trust me there is a hell of a lot that this country, and the Bush administration, has done that is beyond ficked up and they should be taken to task for it. It just seems that people will excuse actions, like Chavez's, simply because the US, or Bush specifically, has been involved in some less than savory activities. Unfortunetly your excellent post will more than likely fall on deaf ears, or blind eyes, because these people live with blinders on.
i believe this to be another example of where someone's perceptions are pre-determined ... it's like everyone has divided themselves amongst various dichotomies and those views are set in stone ...
it's sad really because there are many great opinions here ... but we can't engage in discussions if one already thinks that views are pre-determined ... i think a large part of that is that too many people take comments about america far too personally - and get their backs up when really - they need to just listen and take it for what it really is ...
chavez is a great topic for this board i believe because it shows opposite policies to another extremist isn't the way to go either ... we have far more common ground amongst members of this board then we have differences - it's a matter of coming to a common understanding of what the facts and realities are ...
I agree with you but when one of the first posts in a thread about Chavez's recent actions is about how horrorable the US is, is extremely aggrivating. I enjoy living in the US and will defend the country when it is required. I will also criticize the country when necessary. I'm not one of these uber-patriotic Americans who is going to sit here and defend my country even though their actions where clearly wrong. On the same note it is unfair to blame this country for every single wrong that occurs in the world. I know that the US have intervened in venezuelan affairs. I know that the last coup against Cahavez had US support. I am strongly oppossed to those actions as I feel that we should not meddle in another nations internal affairs, but to blame Chavez's decision on eliminating term limites on the US is utterly ridiculous and just down right stupid. Chavez came to this decision because he is a power hungry dictaror in the making. It has little to nothing to do with the US or our previous unsavory actions, but you will have people on this board turn any act or action into an anti-US rant.
This could have been a very interesting topic to discuss because as you said Chavez was on of the first modern latin American leaders to try to step out from under US hegemony in the region, but he has gone from being abeckon for other Latin American countries to becoming a dictator, much like Castro.
why r u saying fuck Canada for. what in reality has Canada done to your country if you don't mind me asking.
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
i don't mind you asking
Canada has done nothing, he's new and looking for attention.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
so r u going to answer the question?
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
The Tax Relief Checks Sent to U.S. Taxpayers in 2001 Are Not Really Refunds
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/t/taxadvance.htm
Tax Cuts Offer Most for Very Rich, Study Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/washington/08tax.html
And what's the situation now exactly?
U.S. Unemployment Worsens - Oct 5, 2007
http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/10/05/us-unemployment-worsens
Who did?
Bush’s Plan To Destroy Our Public Schools
http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Oct2004/rubinsteinpr1004.html
Bush vetoes education spending bill
President rejects 5 percent increase in education funding, while approving 9 percent increase in defense spending
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=50375&CFID=983978&CFTOKEN=57439733
U.S. Foreign Assistance to Africa: Claims vs. Reality
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2005/0627africa_rice.aspx
bush did
the bill he signed in "no child" was more than he should have..i don't blame him for not increasing it
what you posted said it was up 56%...what do you want? send them all the money?
on this board and others, the U.S. takes a bashing all the time from canadians...i got tired of it
i can understand that. we here in Canada get alot of crap from the US too. there are many sterotypes from both sides.
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
'President Bush has thus far rejected Blair's call to double aid to Africa, as well as the benchmark set by the OECD and signatories to the Monterrey Consensus, which called on developed countries to devote 0.7% of their gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015....
...The Bush Administration should join the UK, France, Italy and Germany and twelve other developed nations and commit to devote up to 0.7% of U.S. gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2015.'
so what - giving is UP 56% - jeezee
hey, they should do some things they don't either - point is, aids relief is up more than any US prez
The US gov't kills more people every year than AIDS. The least they can do is try to save some lives.
damn right - take our money while cussing us
it's our fucking money fuck africa
everyone calls us asshole and then says we ought to feel guilty about being the most blessed nation on earth
they can eat me
Who says you're the most blessed nation on Earth?
I can think of a ton of places on this Earth where I'd rather live.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Canada, I'd choose Canada.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or Tahiti, I'd choose Tahiti.
If I had a choice of living in the U.S or France, I'd choose France.
I could go on all day.
And I don't hate America, it's just not all it's made out to be.
i think that's swell
call freakin tahiti for some money
Tahiti doesn't use up a quarter of the worlds resources, and cause 25% of the worlds pollution.
http://atlas.aaas.org/index.php?part=2
The US uses roughly one-fourth of all energy resources (round up to 100 QBTU), with roughly 5% of the world population (300 mil out of 6 bil). To bring the rest of the world to this level of energy consumption you would need 95/5* 100 = 1900 QBTU yearly, roughly four times the present production.
I.e, It would take 4 more Earths for the rest of the world to have a standard of living equivalent to the USA.
The U.S is also responsible for 25% of the worlds pollution.
Therefore, you owe the rest of the world a sizable debt.
I don't owe you anything. You have no claim on me. That is the guilt trip you attempt to lay on us. Find some other sucker.