Lifestyle > Train of Thought
Is the U.S. really the most generous nation?
Suga Foot:
isn't this a big reason why all the terrorist groups hate America (and the whole western world)? Lots of people think that they hate 'freedom', but they've even said before that the western world needs to start spreading the wealth. It seems like we've got endless amounts of money while there are countries with people who starve every day. And to say it's not your problem is just selfish.
Thirteen:
--- Quote from: Suga Foot on December 21, 2004, 08:20:10 PM ---isn't this a big reason why all the terrorist groups hate America (and the whole western world)? Lots of people think that they hate 'freedom', but they've even said before that the western world needs to start spreading the wealth. It seems like we've got endless amounts of money while there are countries with people who starve every day. And to say it's not your problem is just selfish.
--- End quote ---
wrong, look at iraq.... saddam collected a nice fortune off of the ills of his people, and he was never the victim of a terrorist attack
Ant:
--- Quote from: Needles Kane on December 21, 2004, 06:46:17 PM ---and how are americans the least generous when americans give the most money?
--- End quote ---
i'm going to be nice and point out now for the 3rd time that I was refering to government sponsored foreign aid. This post has nothing to do with the amount of money U.S. citizens give away.
Ant:
--- Quote from: Rampant on December 21, 2004, 07:07:46 PM ---Heres what i dont get.
America started out as a poor nation, we had nothing, absolutely nothing. We progressed and became what we are today. What is stopping these other nations from doing the same.
--- End quote ---
Part of the reason is our current competitive advantage makes it impossible for them to compete, and the things they are good at we subsidize so they can't sell to us. For example, many third world countries have an absolute advantage when it comes to farming. They could sell us food and make a bundle of money, but they don't because we subsidize our farming industry. We give government hand outs to farmers so they can compete with 3rd world farmers. Also, in most industries we've developed competitive advantage to the point where they can't possibly compete without huge investments in capital, but since they are poor they cant easily afford those investments. Finally, we don't let 3rd world countries protect their markets from foreign trade. In other words, we prevent them from subsidizing their markets.
These are economic explanations for why some countries are better off than others. For a different, and more in depth, take on the issue check out Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393317552/qid=1103695302/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-5342276-9707832?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Jimmy Cash2120:
--- Quote from: Ant on December 21, 2004, 10:01:08 PM ---Part of the reason is our current competitive advantage makes it impossible for them to compete, and the things they are good at we subsidize so they can't sell to us. For example, many third world countries have an absolute advantage when it comes to farming. They could sell us food and make a bundle of money, but they don't because we subsidize our farming industry. We give government hand outs to farmers so they can compete with 3rd world farmers. Also, in most industries we've developed competitive advantage to the point where they can't possibly compete without huge investments in capital, but since they are poor they cant easily afford those investments. Finally, we don't let 3rd world countries protect their markets from foreign trade. In other words, we prevent them from subsidizing their markets.
--- End quote ---
3rd world countries can't compeat in todays world, thats why they're 3rd world countries. the US should be helping industrialize the urban areas, not trying to improve a failing market
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