Thanks to my good friend Mitchell Allen for reminding me today is Blog Action Day and the subject is poverty; read his fine article Poverty Inaction. This is a particularly difficult subject for me and is impossible to write about without getting on my political soapbox. Poverty along with hunger holds a special place in my heart and I wish it didn’t exist. I donate food, clothes and money to the poor; not just to Americans, but to other countries like Africa. Poverty is horrifying particularly if you live in a place where you really have no options.
America is a broke country in incredible debt. The American people just loaned it’s own government over a trillion dollars bailing out failed businessmen and corrupted corporations. The American government should never be in the business of charity or welfare, that is up to individuals. Our government has no money. We owe China 500 billion and have a 10 trillion dollar deficit. So how can we feed the world? How can a broke country wipe out poverty in 3rd world countries? How can America feed it’s own starving children? Here are a few ideas:
A Real Solution To Poverty
The world’s richest people can help eliminate poverty right this second by giving money from the kindness of their hearts. Here’s a list of billionaires to get us started:
- Warren Buffett
- Carlos Slim Helu
- William Gates III
- Lakshmi Mittal
- Mukesh Ambani
- Anil Ambani
- Ingvar Kamprad
- KP Singh
- Oleg Deripaska
- Karl Albrecht
- Li Ka-shing
- Sheldon Adelson
- Bernard Arnault
- Lawrence Ellison
- Roman Abramovich
- Theo Albrecht
- Liliane Bettencourt
- Alexei Mordashov
- Prince Alwaleed
- Mikhail Fridman
These are just the top 20 billionaires, see the complete list of world billionaires. The common citizen is usually very giving. For crying out loud, just one of these people could wipe out hunger for the most part. We can also be active in political movements to help. Well, that’s not the complete solution – the people have to force change in their own countries. The rich could feed them at least. Bill Gates gives some money to help fight poverty, but it is chump change from a guy as rich as him – it’s not enough. Am I being too hard on Mr. Gates? Let’s write these people a trillion emails and letters telling them to help fix this problem!
Charity and welfare only help temporarily. This is a complex issue and every different place has a different set of problems – political, environmental, educational, etc. Some places on earth are just inhospitable and should probably not be inhabited.
Both poverty and world hunger is not the American government’s responsibility, it is up to kind individuals. We normal individuals can give, but it’ll never be enough. Since the top 1% have all the money, they should help – like I said, they have all the money. Of course, this is an oversimplified answer and doesn’t address every detail. Poverty will always exist and can never be completely eradicated.
To help people requires money and people willing to tackle this issue. I’m not talking about just throwing money into their hands – but to educate, train for jobs and teach them how to help themselves, farm land and so forth. If you’re dying of starvation, job training isn’t what you need – you need food, water and medicine. It’s certainly not an easy problem to solve. If each of us does something, it will help!
#1 by Lulu at October 15th, 2008
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I am not rich, and I am not poor either. My donations might help a little, but if those billionaires donate their money- all of them! I believe it is faster to reduce poverty.
Thanks for the list of the billionaires and your post about Poverty
#2 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Thanks for reading Lulu! The way I see it, it’s the only way to solve poverty.
#3 by Banno at October 15th, 2008
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The problem lies not only with donations. But also unfair wages, unfair work and living conditions, and political corruption. People don’t always need hand-outs but need a fair system in place.
#4 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Great point Banno! The world as a whole has come a long way and many places need huge change. Throwing money in some situations probably wouldn’t help a thing. It’s a combination of political movements, humanitarian efforts, education and more.
So you’re right, money isn’t always the answer but can help a lot. The people from each individual country must make the change happen themselves. It can seem impossible, but ultimately is the solution. In the mean time, while they are starving, the rich can send them food, water & medical supplies
#5 by Shiroh at October 15th, 2008
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Thank you for your comment on my blog. On the richest billionaires donations, they could help (Bill Gates can finance my country (Kenya) budget for 5 years:).
However, i think it’s better to teach someone to fish rather than give them fish. These people have made their money, let them show the poor people how to make money.
#6 by Shiroh at October 15th, 2008
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Ooh and i second corruption problems. Corruption bring poverty and that is what is bedevilling most poor countries. The wealthier countries should put pressure on the poor countries to get rid of corruption.
#7 by Kana at October 15th, 2008
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Indeed very true post. A few people in the right position could take such a stance against poverty.
#8 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Shiroh! I agree with the teach someone to fish attitude because self-empowerment is essential. I’ve many of the articles in this movement, and it makes me realize how complex the problem is. When you say, “the wealthier counties should put pressure on the poor countries to get rid of corruption” it made me think of something. America is probably the most corrupted country of all, and within it’s big cities is an underworld of poverty unseen by the general public. A poor country with a corrupted government is much worse.
Thank you for reading, and it was my pleasure to comment on your fine blog
#9 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Kana! Many rich people do help, but it’s not enough. I don’t have all the answers, but am learning what they might be.
#10 by teeni at October 15th, 2008
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I also agree with the “teach someone to fish” principle. The purpose is to save people not insult them nor give them a free ride. But I also like your point about if someone is starving, then it’s food that they need right away and then training and education. I don’t like saying that rich people should donate certain amounts but they sure could make a big difference if they did use their money to help the situation.
#11 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Teeni, it’s a tough problem. If a society allows no failure at all, and freeloading is provided for, many folks will choose welfare and give up on working. That’s why I believe in charity, not welfare…it’s not a guarantee.
Eventually, the human race will become like the “Borg” on Star Trek – a communitarian society living as a collective. Individualism is on the way out; thus, the socialism of Barack Obama. Putting a “cap” on the American dream, and soon the entire world.
#12 by Miss Moneypenny at October 15th, 2008
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Billionaires helping the poor???
Since Billionaires acquired their wealth from people poorer than them, will Billionaires grow a giving heart to help the poor?
#13 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Debbie, Hahahaha! Hey, I’m just being realistic. I’m not saying billionaires will help the poor; I’m saying that if they don’t, the poor don’t get any help! Normal citizens and our broke government aren’t options. The government could take money from the rich and just give it to the poor by law, but I don’t like that option. I guess the poor stay poor, unless they fix it themselves.
#14 by Mitch at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Bobby!
I’m sorry I didn’t get here earlier today. I am intrigued by this suggestion, as it flies in the face of “Conventional Wisdom”. You know the one: give a man a fish, blah-blah-blah.
However, you are absolutely right, with one proviso – we must ensure that the aid is not diverted.
Because, ultimately, if the man starves to death with a fishing pole in his hand, we have failed.
Respectfully,
Mitch
#15 by Revellian at October 15th, 2008
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Hi Mitch! After writing this post and reading others, I feel like it’s impossible to have a real solution. I should have written one sentence:
“Poverty exists, and no matter what we think or do, it will always be a part of life.”
Many people actually prefer to live in poverty and are happy to live on welfare, sell drugs and so forth. Here’s my fish allegory:
“Give a man a joint, he’ll be high for a few hours; teach a man to grow his own pot, he’ll be high the rest of his life…”
Hahahaha
#16 by pearl at October 16th, 2008
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I went blind for a second, thinking that #3 comment was from Bono himself!
I agree with Miss Moneypenny and these billionaires probably don’t even have the time (time poor?) to think of anything/anyone but money!
#17 by Revellian at October 16th, 2008
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Hi Pearl! Some of them do help, but could do much more; like building schools and much more. Since the U.S. government is broke, they cannot do it. Individuals like us can do very little.
Bono? Haha…that would be great press!!!