2 Billion dollars to Africa

[Prison Kids]

Americans are out of work, Hundreds of schools have been closed across the US due to lack of funds, millions of Americans can not afford heath insurance, our homeless rate is through the roof, yet the US is sending 15 Billion dollars to Africa, to help them with their aids problem.

Now I'm all for helping others, but does this seam alittle extreme?

I can see maybe a few hundred volunteers, and 20 million dollars (if any), but

15 BILLION DOLLARS !!!

[no1_vern]

Hi Prisonkids,
Where did you hear about this?

[Prison Kids]

Bono from U2, was just on Good Morning America, complaining, because the approved 2 billion dollar relief fund is not being sent fast enough. I'll pull some info later. Gota go to work...

[Prison Kids]

Originally posted by no1_vern
Hi Prisonkids,
Where did you hear about this?

Here are the facts: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0030129-1.html

I was wrong. It is not 2 Billion

It is 15 BILLION !!! (2 billion is just the first installment)

(I will edit the topic)

[Mike]

I would much rather see the money go to third world countries, rather than sending our troops to Iraq.

Bush said he is trying to help the world, people made him put his money where his mouth is.

I don't mind seeing money go to Africa... The jobs of America aren't as bad as people make it out to be. If a person is willing to find a job, it's out there.

[jordanabc2332]

Ive heard estimates of 1 billion dollars a day for this "war" in Iraq. So relatively speaking I have no problem with the money we are sending to Africa. In fact, I wouldnt mind sending 2 times that amount to Africa.

[Prison Kids]

You state a good point Mike,

Bush did make that statement, but aside from the two choices you listed, 15 billion dollars is ALOT of money.

I do agree that the jobs are out there. I have never had a problem finding some sort of work.

But aside from jobs, the US has so many finacial issues right now, we could even send Africa $900 million dollars and use the other 14 billion, 100 million to help rebuild our schools, house some homeless, get some medical care to those who can not afford it, etc.

It just seems alittle overboard to me. I, like many work hard to make ends meet, while the government is tossing around billions to third world countries. It is wonderful to help others , I have devoted a large part of my life to helping others through my website, but if had $20, and my sister needed money for food I would give it to her, before giving it to a stranger.

[MTAtech]

First, Iraq is costing $1 B per week, not per day. (Not including the $87 B request).

Second, this AIDS money is $15 B over five years.

So, to put it in perspective, by the time we spend $260 B in Iraq, we will spend $15 B in Africa fighting a deadly disease.

Factoring out the humanitarian aspect of this, from a purely self-interest perspective, if we allow AIDS to spread unchecked in Africa it will eventually spillover to the U.S. and we will then have to spend hundreds of billions in our health care system.

[brandon184]

But aside from jobs, the US has so many finacial issues right now, we could even send Africa $900 million dollars and use the other 14 billion, 100 million to help rebuild our schools, house some homeless, get some medical care to those who can not afford it, etc.

That's easier said than done... You're assuming that $900M would pretty much be just as effective as $2 billion .. which isn't the case. Unless they've said that it will only take $900 million to help solve the AIDS crisis in Africa, then I don't see the logic.

- Brandon

[Prison Kids]

Originally posted by MTAtech
Factoring out the humanitarian aspect of this, from a purely self-interest perspective, if we allow AIDS to spread unchecked in Africa it will eventually spillover to the U.S. and we will then have to spend hundreds of billions in our health care system.

It just rubbed me wrong during a time of year when finances are tight.

You put it into perspective well. Thanks