A Christmas thought

[Kolar]

We have the ability to produce enough food for the entire world today and probably far into the future with technology. We're not because of the lack of technology, environmental degradation, corrupt Governments and asshole organizations like green peace scaring people into thinking we're poisoning food with genetic manipulation.


A lot of these hand outs do need to stop, welfare wasn't meant to sustain those too lazy to work or do anything with their lives. With projects like The Grameen Bank being such a huge success I think it's time not only for developing nations to rethink their social and economic issues and how to deal with them, but us as well. Not every homeless person wants to be homeless, not every low income family wants to be a low fucking income family for the next 30 years and most of them did little to put themselves in that position. We're discovering that a lot of these people who are down and out, given the chance can do some amazing things and not only for themselves but the community around them.

So if the issue of homelessness doesn't get you at the point of people dying from freezing to death, kids starving to death, people living right in your own city going without food for days then think of it as an investment, not dying is a byproduct of it.

[Pandagirl!]

I've given up hope on the Salvation Army after the guy tried to rape me and two other girls at work.

[project dragon]

the cycle of poverty is hard to get out of.

ps. i finally gave to charity, and i feel pretty good about myself now, even though it wasnt a lot

[Hero*]

Why do people give money to homeless people anyways, I tell em to go get a fucking job, and god help me if they try to clean my fucking window with their filthy rags.

Hmm, a lot easier then it sounds you idiot.

[Ace]

Sorry my comments were directed more to those in countries who are less developed then us.
True that the people in power abuse the resources some times but I believe that we are all accountable. Once the money has left your hands and you have at least looked into where it is going you have done your part.

[Vykromond]

Was mine part of the 90%?

That would be telling.

[Zerzera]

there wouldn't be enough food to feed the entire world.

But on the other hand see how much food out of the industry is destroyed just to keep the price up. They can't give away the food that isn't sold or people wouldn't buy it anymore in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, I am a realist, I don't know a better alternative than capitalism and I think the system of the global market that is used today is one of the best.
Capitalism works so great because people don't have to get involved, don't want to work? That's fine, you won't be able to buy what you need to live and you will die, no one has to work harder on your expense like in the Communism or Socialism systems.
Just December is the time to think about how absurd all this is and shed a tear. (And then have a good fat and jolly dinner with the people you love)

EDIT: kthx, please back up your argument that the world cannot produce enough food for the population, I kind of doubt that.

[Galleleo]

Was mine part of the 90%?

[Vykromond]

90% of the posts in this thread make me really angry and I expect most of the following ones to do the same. Don't let me down, guys.

[Cylor]

I'm guessing you didn't read the OP.

5
The proletariat cycling money never has and never will affect the bourgeoisie.

[Epinephrine]

We should create market incentives for the poor to work more. Allow homeless to receive minimal funds for housing and training for them to get back on their feet. We should make it easy for the poor to get small loans if they have ideas for businesses, and easy for them to apply to training programs to get help.

We shouldn't just be giving stuff away. Giving free things to people just makes people want to take more and work less. In the same way, welfare is no way to go. I agree with cutting down on it as a temporary measure to help out those down on luck, but not to permanently subsidize people forever.

It makes me so mad when I see poor but very lazy people complain that they want more government subsidy. When on my one morning off work, I go and see all these people at the local coffee shop doing absolutely nothing all day.

[Jerome Scuggs]

And it doesn't matter how much goes, we have a responsibility to help those with less Period. What happens to the money is beyond us.

the free market / anti-egalitarian part of me wants to throttle you

[Ace]

I can think of a few that 100% goes to the charity. We have a mens mission in town that is completely volunteer also another is one life revolution, although not donating to anywhere in North America it's still 100%.

And it doesn't matter how much goes, we have a responsibility to help those with less Period. What happens to the money is beyond us.

[project dragon]

How much food are 5 people getting out of a dollar?
The place where I used to volunteer at, Yonge Street Mission, does a Christmas thing where people donate money to feed the down-and-out in Toronto. They say it costs approx. $2.58 to feed a person, so that's why I'm wondering. Either way, it's an admirable thought, sorry to nit-pick.

Ps. Torontonians! http://www.ysm.on.ca/ , and donate!

[Liquid Blue]

The world's problems will never be solved by one person giving one dollar and you are foolish to believe as much.

I'm guessing you didn't read the OP.