We Are All Spolied (page 2)

revdrjohnson

Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound like a flame.

Maybe you were just trying to illustrate a point. And it is true that Cuba is a 'poor' country by AMerican standards. But other than that Cubans lead a VERY normal life with free medical care, no income tax, and one of the most beautiful climates in the world!

Castro is a despot but he's also OLD! And despite the fact that they are under a Communist regime, there are some rural areas right here in America who are far worse off than th average Cubano.

SYN

Yeah, I live a scanty 20 kilometers away from one of the most squalid places in the world - the giant shanty city of Soweto. I know exactly how Moe feels about this. But, my life hasn't been easy either, I've been earning a salary and working my fingers to the bone since I was 16! I want to provide a good life for my children (if and when I have any hehe)!

And yes, Gates could do a lot for the world. On the plus side, Melinda (his wife) does run a very large charity organization funded by Microsoft - so they aren't as bad as you think, but the money they contribute is only a drop in the ocean...

MrMoe

revdrjohnson - I have numerous friends from Cuba. There are many things that tourists do NOT see. Don't be so foolish to think that Castro would allow America to see these things.

Matty - I don't just use this forum to discuss jw stuff, I use it to share my personal feelings. I am JW'd OUT.

Xander -

"1) STOP HAVING KIDS, GODDAMNIT!!"

Easy to say to 2 people in love with eachother with no means for birth control and zero education.

"2) The dictators in power in most third world countries who busily rape the land and its people must be deposed, and the mentality of the people that leads to such dictators rising must be worked out (IE. "I can bring a brighter future for you and your family, just join my army and help me rule...")

They could be bought out with the money Bill Gates has trust me.

"3) Education

Again a money issue.

Xander

sadly enough, we are divided rather than standing together.

I think this is something that cannot change. We have, to my knowledge, no evidence of any species of ANYTHING that does not engage in competitive behavior.

It's simple science, really. Populations will always grow beyond their environments ability to support them, because as long as the environment CAN support them, they will grow.

Conflict inevitably ensues when the remaining resources are battled over.

At least humanity has the ability to group together to have certain groups (nations) control more resources than they need to make sure their citizens don't face the over-taxation of the land that other groups face.

-------------------

In short, I agree, the spotty starvation and famine problems dotting the face of the planet (and it's really not as widespread as some media agents would like you to believe) is bad, and doesn't look good at all.

Just be thankful that we have the group wisdom to act in a way such that famine of that kind doesn't happen everywhere - because that is the natural state of things. 'Famine' alternating with 'overabundance' as the local population exceeds then shrinks behind the available resources.

larc

Xander, I agree with your post. The system in third world countries is broken. Millions, if not billions have be poured on the problem, and not much has changed. For the comment made by another poster about Bill Gates, he has put many millions into charitable causes. One thing does do, is research the cause before giving, to insure that his gift shows a result. So, I don't think Gates should be impuned in this regard.

MrMoe

Famine is not the only issue, oh there are so many more it makes my head spin...

In short, I agree, the spotty starvation and famine problems dotting the face of the planet (and it's really not as widespread as some media agents would like you to believe) is bad, and doesn't look good at all.

One suffering person is one too many.

Moe

SpiceItUp

This reminds me of a saying I heard once....

"You have to put your own oxygen mask on first"

meaning you have to be ok before you can help anybody else be ok. Here we are all still in the process of trying to be ok. therefore even if we were to all go out and try...it wouldn't work. It is a motto I live by. It may sound selfish and yes in some regards I may be lucky but in many others I am extremely unfortunate.

Spice

BeautifulGarbage

Moe,

I tend to agree with you. I remember reading in the paper about families in Aftganistan selling infants to feed their family for a month. Their reasoning is that if they didn't do that, they would have to watch their whole family starve to death. I can't imagine the anguish in having to do such a thing. Yes, our priorities in the western world can get a little warped. I see on the evening news about people in Beverly Hills throwing lavish birthday parties for their DOGS. Now, I love dogs, but sheesh! a bit over the top, if you ask me.

As easy life? Perhaps some. I'm glad for them. However, I know of a few people that are MUCH better off than me fiancially, yet, I wouldn't trade places with them no matter what. Think about that poor family in Utah who had their daughter kidnapped. They are very affuent. I bet they would give it all up just to have their little girl back with them safe and sound.

Now, I know that many very painful experiences are shared on here. Some just break my heart. Yet, because those people happen to live in a county with higher living standards, that pain should be trivialized? Should the stand be taken that because you have food in your belly, and a roof over your head, you shouldn't get pissed about being raped?

Should I just keep quiet about my Dad holding my newborn infant sister by the ankles, head down, over the running garbage disposal, when I was 4 years old,because he thought it was fun to watch me scream and cry? Or should I just shut-up because I'm lucky I live in the US?

Now, this is a place were much pain and anguish is shared. Lots of venting goes on. However, that is probably only a very small part of who those people are. The nature of this board is to share the common experience of the WTS and how it has touched, influenced, or damaged our lives. There is also joy and triumph that is shared and lots of bittersweet.

Yes, some good things happened in my life. I was determined to marry a great guy, and I did. We don't have much (by US standards) but we love each other and are committed to each other and our children. We appreciate the small things like getting up before the kids and sharing quiet conversation over a cup a coffee.

I'm really glad your parents loved you so much, Moe. I hope you are coping well with recent loss of your Mother.

Love,

Andee

Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 19 June 2002 14:23:9

Xander

Gates could do a lot for the world

It is possible, of course, he might make some effect. Maybe, but it wouldn't last. Throwing money at this problem wouldn't solve it.

The third world countries have a long history of proving they can't manage themselves. A major UN involvement (by force, if necessary) could solve a lot of the problems. But, no first world country would back such an endeavor - certainly not the ALL of them that would be needed.

And, again, I don't see the point of trivializing our problems because other countries are worse. Do you really think we'll last at the comfort level we have without constant work?

Were not Ethiopia, Egypt, and Babylon all 'first world countries' of their day? Did their citizens not lead the life of luxury you appear to be condemning? Where are they now? How do you suppose they got their?

History shows us the 'wealth' is never evenly distributed all at once - but it is eventually.

Yes, I like living just south of Lake Erie here in this 21st century. Would I have liked living in this exact spot 400 years ago?? HELL NO!! What about 400 years from now? Who knows - probably not. Who will be the 'first-world' countries then?

joeshmoe

This thread is scary....it reminds me of all the reasons JW's embrace the borg. Armageddon....then Paradise.....a perfect life, with no stress, pain, suffering, etc.

Huh? Puffsrule, I know your post was a few back, but I'm just wondering if you can flesh this thought out for me a little bit. I guess I don't get it.

I think the issue is: we've got it easy and are spoiled. Others have countered that they don't want that kind of thinking to belittle the kind of damage done by the WT.

So... I guess I don't see what you're saying, that's all.

We Are All Spolied

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