September 26, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Screw the other “poor countries” of the world; what about taking care of things here at home in America? How about getting Healthcare under control here first?… How about stemming poverty in the United States first?… Who’s going to come to the aid of America once our society “implodes”; which it’s on the very edge of ecomomically, politically, resource-wise, healthcare-wise, employment-wise, illegal-immigration/iinvasion-wise, militarily, and so on. Let’s get America in propper shape first before helping strangers of the world. C’mon.

September 27, 2008 at 12:25 pm

When you see all the partner organizations on this website that are already in place to help the hungry and needy why do we need another “ONE”? The Christian Church of the world (regardless of denomination) has so many worthy organizations already in place, I don’t see the benefit of creating more? I support the hungry and needy through my United Methodist church so its hard to see why I should give money to this type of organization? America is in economic crisis currently, we need to stop spending, stop giving away billions of dollars to other countries and perform due diligence on what works and get rid of what doesn’t. We are called to fix what’s wrong in our own four walls first. We need to pull back and revamp America. Also if this is non-partisan where’s the meeting with Cindy McCain and Todd Palin?

September 28, 2008 at 3:37 am

“Concerned American,” US foreign aid is 0.15 of our GDP – a lot less than the other industrialized nations. Are you saying that America is so weak we can’t afford to be at least as generous as those other countries? We’d be in pretty sad shape if that were true. In fact, it is very much in our [enlightened] self-interest to help control the spread of war, disease, famine, and poverty.

“Christian BythegraceofGod,” see above – plus, you missed a great opportunity to explain to “Concerned American” why helping the poor and less fortunate is the Christian thing to do. As for “where’s the meeting with Cindy McCain and Todd Palin?” How about Cindy McCain and Laura Bush?

http://www.one.org/blog/2008/09/02/service-project-serves-up-massive-success/

Open your hearts, people. That’s what One is all about…

September 28, 2008 at 6:57 pm

It’s very hard to be so concerned about the poverty in other countries when I know so well how the current economic state (thanks Repubs) has affected so many here in the U.S.
We live on about $40,000 a year. 8 years ago when we made $39,000 we thought we were finally getting on our feet. Well in 8 years our income has not gone up at all. Only my husband has healthcare. My child and I go to the clinic where they are unable to provide me with the costly testing for my heart problems. The cost of gas has gone up and some weeks it’s hard to find the money to go to work. The cost of nearly all groceries has gone up. And the Republicans JUST now realized there is a problem with the economy?!
I’m sorry to sound so harsh and cold hearted, but I’m not concerned about the poverty in OTHER countries. I want to know when my child and I will have health care! I want to know when our income is going to increase half as much as our cost of living! I want to know when my child, an American, is going to matter as much as the children in other countries!!!

September 29, 2008 at 9:54 am

I hope that Obama will win in this battle!

September 29, 2008 at 10:43 am

I would hope “Concerned American” would realize we need to shore up our four walls economically before helping the other 150+ other countries wanting/needing our support. Of course it’s the “Christian” thing to do feed the hungry and the clothe the poor…I am from Houston, maybe you heard that a Hurricane ran through here last week? We were without power 4 days and water 1 day. My church has 100+ evacuees and the first two days our shelter was open, we didn’t even have electricity! I am volunteering to help at our shelter, many of our guests have lost their entire homes, you help me explain why we need another overseas organization when we have the lost and poor and needy right here–I am in their presence. These people are hurting, and if you gave them some food they would take it! They also need more than just a meal–they need someone to show them a better life can exist–where you’ve been doesn’t mean you have to stay…

September 29, 2008 at 11:30 am

Sorry I meant my comments for Blimfark Smith not Concerned American other than I don’t think we should “screw the other countries” and btw we need individuals, businesses and churches solving our problems NOT the government! The government should only be in charge of military and roads, the rest can be solved by us hardworking Americans. Socialism will kill America.

September 29, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Jill Marie, I totally hear your frustration – there’s no question that there are difficult times at home (especially around healthcare!). By pretty much every measure I’ve seen, the middle class is losing ground and it is getting harder for hard-working people to make ends meet. You’re right to be disappointed with our current government – and *that’s* where the focus belongs. One way or another, *that’s* where most of the responsibility is – not with needy people in other countries. Even if we gave no aid whatsoever, it wouldn’t make a meaningful difference towards keeping health care costs down.

For every $100 that you pay in taxes, less than 40 cents goes to foreign poverty assistance. That’s actually an excellent investment in our security and standing in the world. We don’t want young men to turn to violent fundamentalists because, besides hateful doctrine, they offer life-sustaining meals. We don’t want an epidemic to come to our shores because it ran unchecked abroad – disease is no respecter of borders. And speaking of our borders, wouldn’t you cross one if your child was in need? Effective aid makes it easier to maintain secure borders.

Christian BythegraceofGod, I’m gladdened by what you wrote about caring for those displaced by Hurricane Ike – and I feel certain that your church doesn’t turn out just when the weather is bad. But does God truly judge us as American and not-American? For those of Judeo-Christian faith, our obligations towards foreigners are clear – consider:

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18. And also Deuteronomy 14:28-29, 27:19, Jeremiah 22:16, Matthew 19:21, 25:35, Luke 18:22, to name a few.

I cannot believe the assertion that this nation is not rich enough to help both our own poor and those of the world.

Somewhat OT: As for what the government should and shouldn’t do, I speak as someone who has built a successful business from nothing – and by “successful” I mean that it gainfully employs around 20 people, NOT that it has made me rich by any stretch. You can believe me or not, or maybe you have your own experience, but in mine the government is simply not the biggest problem. (Insofar as it is a problem, the states are a *lot* harder to deal with than the federal gov’t). Providing health care is a MUCH bigger issue. If you want to help small businesses (heck, all businesses), please don’t push the responsibility for health care onto employers!

October 5, 2008 at 12:15 pm

In 2008, isn’t the time right for the United States of America to re-focus attentions and resources to aid and assist the needs of our Domestic poor, and finally begin to give less to those in foreign lands?

October 5, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Response to Blimfark Smith:

Yes, America is that financially weak. Our government is indebted, and borrows from Communist and Arab countries to cover the debt to run our own current Federal government. And, as you know from current news, American’s aren’t financial savers (mainly because so many live paycheck-to-paycheck, but are also conspicuous consumers), and the U.S. labor and business market has been gutted and off-shored so much that the many “good paying” jobs are gone for good.

And so, what are you doing to help the poor in rural America, in inner-city urban America, in suburban America? Are you also lobbying your government to reduce the amount of monies poured into the Industrial Military Complex, and to have some of those funds re-diverted to keeping people alive in these poor foreign counties rather than killing them with U.S. bombs delivered by some of our our $2-billion+ apiece aircraft? Hmmm? Once you’d completely sustainably solved all of America’s humanitarian woes, then you can begin to help your foreign neighbors.

Oh, by the way, was the Christian thing to do electing a President (GWB) whose literally uses the word “crusade” in public speeches about Islamic fundamentalism?

October 5, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Christian BythegraceofGod is on the right track here; charity begins at home. Thanks for your work.

January 19, 2009 at 8:17 pm

Hello fellow ONE member,
I appreciate Bono speaking out on behalf of the worlds poor and sick. Don’t forget that the number one question asked Obama was “Will you legalize marijuana?”. Think about the benefits that medical cannabis can have on the millions of suffering Africans. I am very disturbed when I hear that UN Police are using international aid money to persecute cannabis growers in Africa and destroy such an important beneficial crop. Bono has enormous influence on UN leaders, and some of the world’s most powerful people. Please don’t think for a moment that by removing cannabis the UN is in any way helping the poor people of Africa or any other continent. This is a grave injustice, and I’m sure the sick and dying Africans effected by such laws would agree. The cannabis plant can help to provide food, clothing, shelter, safe medicine, and eco-friendly fuel. If the One Campaign really wants to help the poor, we should let them grow hemp, and if we must get involved, help them succeed in taking advantage of the many benefits of the hemp industry.
I hope Bono keeps up the good work, and helps to stop the bad work.
Thanx. www.nycamp.org

February 27, 2009 at 9:07 am

Republicans JUST now realized there is a problem with the economy?!
I’m sorry to sound so harsh and cold hearted, but I’m not concerned about the poverty in OTHER countries