Before I get bashed for hating America, which I don't, let me explain that I am a veteran with combat experience. My question is, doesn't it strike you as sick that people in our country worship money, and some of our citizens live in million dollar homes while others starve in the streets? A homeless bum has the same worth as Bill Gates, and money is a figment of imagination.
214082
I don't think capitalism is the problem exactly. We could still have capitalism and provide the necessary social services for our countrymen/women if that's what we wanted.\n\nBasically, it's Protestant Work Ethic run amok. Everyone has the illusion that work makes you moral, so when someone can't find a work or is disabled, that can only be because they are a bad person and deserve what they get. Christians in the US have lost sight of the compassion they are supposed to espouse in favor of a work philosophy that lets them pat themselves on the back more easily. It's their reluctance to provide help to those they deem unworthy or immoral that has led to this predicament.\n\nReligion, not money, is the root of this evil.
77574
Many Americans (unlike myself) are stupid, ignorant, xeno-phobic, racist, are willing/unwilling fools participating in discrimination, fearful and hateful, and ethno-centric assholes. \n\nIt is sad that like the propaganda bull shit shoved by both goverments is followed by their supporters, our goverment is led by a bunch of rich selfish hateful shameless assholes that are minons of the rich and powerful just like theirs is. Both goverments feed both of us lies and many of us are mindless fools of the proganda and we belive the stories about how evil the other one is. \n\nBoth governments have leaders that say they care about the own people but really don't and all they really care about is themselves and their masters (who have even more money and power then them). Both governments are also lead by so-called religious leaders and that a crock of shit! I say both are horrible examples of Christians and Muslims. \n\nBoth have a bunch of mindless followers and minons to do thier bidding. \n\nI like all kinds of people and I have nothing against anyone. I wish I could say the same of all Americans
217791
Has JD ever had an original thought?  War, invasion - typical scare tactics that too many ignorant citizens choose to worship.  You act as if you earned your citizenship.  It is just a matter of luck that you were born in this country.  You are not special and you have never done anything spacial, just dumb luck.  What is a bigger drain on society a population that works but can't pay taxes because their oppressors choose to look the other way or citizens who sit on their butts and collect TANF (welfare) and don't pay a penny in taxes?  Guess which ethnicity makes up the highest percent of the total welfare recipients.  Let's just say "illegal" immigrants can't receive welfare.
311035
Sorry, but I work for my own money. And thanks to the levels of freedom in this country, I can do what I like with it. And that includes giving it away to your version of an unworthy cause.\n\nHave you ever talked to a homeless person? Or some teenager on the street begging for quarters? Do you know what kind of shame and embarassment these people have to endure every time they have to look someone in the eyes and ask 'Any spare change mister?'\n\nAnd despite popular belief, homeless people, and kids living on the street are not just too lazy to get a job, they are not just too stubborn to do what they are told and go back home to live with their parents (for the kids). Not everyone who is homeless chooses to be homeless. Have you ever heard a 6 year old kid in an elementary grade class telling his teacher that he wants to grow up to be a homeless person, begging on the street to earn a living? I never have, and I doubt that anyone else has either. People don't want to be poor, they don't want to be homeless, they don't want to go to food banks, soup kitchens or beg for change either. But it's something that these people have to do in order to earn a living. Most of them are NOT alcoholics or drug dependant either.\n\nSo, get a job, go on welfare or something? Yeah, nice idea. But a little known fact about social assistance is that you have to already have an address to get some money. How do you pay rent with no money?? And how do you apply for a job when you have no address, no telephone for them to reach you? It's hard enough just to stay clean, considering that you don't have access to a shower or anything like that. Have you ever wanted to work with someone that smelled like old garbage? Probably not.\n\nHave you ever thought of what you might do if both of your parents were killed in a car accident? What if you had no other family to go live with? At 16 years old, could you fend for yourself? Or what if your parents didn't die. What if instead, they split up and neither of them wanted you? Then your mother moves across the country and leaves you with your 'dad'. He gets sick of your shitty attitude almost right away and kicks you out on the street because you're too much trouble to deal with. Without ever having graduated from high school, what do you do now?\n\nAside from that, there are plenty of homeless people that have become criminalized just to prevent themselves from freezing to death in the winter. I actually met a man who would commit a petty crime every year around October just so that he would have a warm bed and daily meals inside a prison for the winter months. But he wasn't a criminal. He did those things because he didn't have access to any other way to keep himself alive. He didn't know how to make the government programs work for him rather than against him. And with a criminal record, it became near impossible for him to get any kind of job, even one paying minimum wage.\n\nWith many cities making anti-panhandling legislation, even asking someone for spare change has become a criminal act. Do you realize that it is a crime to be poor? People treat you like dirt almost everywhere you go, and you develop a nasty suspicion that every time the police are around, they are there to do something to hurt you. Besides, you really think that it makes sense to give someone a fine for pan-handling when the reason they do it is that they already have no money?? What kind of sense does that make?\n\nAs for fining people that give poor people money, that is also an unfair idea. It's not against the law for you to give your money to the Heart & Stroke Foundation is it? Who has the right to say what I should consider worthy of my hard-earned money more than I do?? Hopefully nobody!\n\nAnd take some free advice: take an afternoon, walk down the streets where some homeless guy has had the nerve to bother you looking for a handout and take a minute to TALK TO
314568
First of all your way off on figures-California alone spends 75,000  on illegals(Aid medical schools food ect- look on web people). Nation wide it is unbelievable. Some seem to think we have an endless pot of gold-wrong. People here could use that money-Health a big issue-people are dying everyday-ask a nurse because they couldn't afford their medicine. No there isn't a program for all. Homeless increasing yearly. People die in the winter because they couldn't afford heat. And yes many cannot live on what they make. \nIt would seem people are not thinking of those who live here. They don't understand fair. And they think it is cool to be helpful-doesn't seem to bother them many are suffering right here because of strain on nation. Why do they think programs cuts?\n\nThis nation did have many from different nations come here-but they forget to add that a new nation was created-with its own culture and the took on the English language-and they adopted laws to protect themselves. Without these laws the Innocent were not protected-history.  And yes brought their own favors to add.\n\nIf they truly wanted to be fair (which they haven't thought about) than some in Africa who are all bones should come first and so on. Everyone feel sorry for poor-but should those here be sacrifices for others. Is that fair and humane. When we have help those here (some do not want to believe we have them-yet in every city) than reach out for more. \n\nYou right many are talking foolishness-without accurate knowledge. Sounds good-help the poor-but they are killing others in the process pretending their heart is good. They don't want to hear of an orderly way or a reasonable way -than they would have to face that they were wrong and foolish. Its not cool I guess to educate yourself on issues.\n\n\nBoy and some really misinformed answered you with the same chatter-I think they have a hidden agenda. Can you imagine such unreasonableness-try to sound like their wise and full of heart.
556556
First, I think that most of the poor in America are, frankly, not that poor compared with other countries. If you travel to some third world countries and visit more than the tourist places, you'll understand what I mean. Second, we don't get a vote in what Bill Gates does with his money. He doesn't even have to give it charity if he doesn't want to. Third, he is not giving to individuals--he is trying to address societal health and education issues. "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, etc." To me (and apparently to Warren Buffet), Bill Gates has a good sense of how to make his money go a long way to benefit the world.
68768
Hey, yeah.  Makes you wonder.  So does Kuwait in the way they use their au pair and maid contracts.  So do many other countries.  Some would even argue that "wage slavery" is prevalent worldwide, but defacto slavery - where one has no rights except those provided by the owner or "boss" - is a real shocker to some people, supposedly even the US government!\nhttp://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Jun/23-943502.html\n\nThere is also unsanctioned, but accepted slavery, for example, in Turkey (PBS special on Russian sex slaves) and other countries worldwide.\n\nSlavery also still exists in the US.  Are you surprised?  Ever smoke pot or drive fast or drink under age?  Guess what?  People do incredibly vile illegal things too!  What sets this apart from mainstream culture, however, is the expense of importing, hiding, and eliminating the slaves.  Let's think about who in America can afford such things... hmmm...  Who could it be?  Well, maybe this is what we get for our trickle down theories?  Maybe what's trickling down isn't something we'd like to get on our clothes.\n\nSo now we come to the Bush Administration... wealthy, connected, more than enough money to lie and get away with it... Who are your friends in the billionaire club?  Ok, sure, there are some wonderful people there, but not everyone is so fantastic, are they?  No.  There are some real scum that many of us would take pleasure in lynching, no matter how nice of a person we like to think of ourselves.\n\nWe lie to ourselves that we are an open and free society while the rich are given tax breaks and the poor are told to do more with less.\n\nI'm not sure who the Jesus is that the Republicans supposedly worship.  Apparently it isn't the guy I read about in the Bible because I just can't imagine him wanting to create this sort of world.  So far as I can tell, the Bush Jesus tells us that all is forgiven as long as you vote against abortion and gay marriage.  I never thought Jesus was so myopic, but apparently I was wrong.\n\nThen again, look at the trades christians would have to make for joining the Democrats...   There should be a seperate Christian party that allows christians to side-step the demonic choice of "a lesser of two evils."\n\nOff of the soapbox:  What do you expect us to do?  Shall we invade India?  How about Pakistan?  Why stop there?  We could invade Russia for allowing their children to be abducted into slavery!  Yea, America!  We can save the world through domination!  Sound familiar?\n\nIf we quit trading, we place power into the hands of others.\n\nThe real question is, what is the solution?  How do we make it stop?\n\nWell, if you have humane answers to those questions and successfully implement them, you'll be world-famous and rich from people constantly wanting to have you speak at their houses of govenment, universities, stadiums - everywhere.\n\nI don't have the answer yet, but let's keep asking!\n\n(Ahem!  Nuclear bombs are irrelvant!  We own how many?  Doesn't that legitimize nuclear bombs as a form of national defense?  The current "war of rhetoric" with Iran is doctrinal and cultural.  We wouldn't complain if Sweden started making nukes.  In saying Iran has no right to nukes, we have practically already declared war because we say they have no right to a common form of national self-defense!)
655004
Classic republican answer the first guy gave.  When we give to other countries we call it "aid".  To ourselves, a "hand out".  We spend billions of dollars on the space program so astronauts can joyride while children starve in the streets.  Government waste is at atrocious levels yet let someone suggest we help those less fortunate and everyone is up in arms.  All the christians seem to forget that we are supposed to help each other, to look at everyone as if they are Jesus and act toward them as we would him.  So many people seem to think that poverty is a result of laziness, when that is not always the case.  Sure, you can get a job working at a fast food place to support your kids, but will that one job pay the rent, or house payment, the utilities and buy food, clothing and other incidentals?  How about child care?  Then lets consider the dead beat dads out there, that seem to think its a badge of honor to have kids but when it comes time to pay, shirk their duties.  They leave sole support on the mother's shoulders while the courts slap them on the wrist.  Yes, there are people that abuse the system, there are people that abuse any situation from employees that steal from their workplace, people who cheat on their taxes, etc.  I would much rather my tax dollars go to taking care of those children and less fortunate than spending it in other countries, on an unjust war, on another space mission, on a $400 hammer, or a study of the mating habits of fruit flies.  This country is supposed to be one of the richest on earth, we hand out money like we have an endless supply, yet our own people go hungry and cold.  It is a disgrace.
218480
I have been talking about this a lot to the father of my children, who is constantly complaining that "everyone" else has more than we do. I point out to him that we have plenty of food, shelter, clothes, two beautiful, healthy children, entertainment on some nights....We really lack for nothing...Granted we are considered to be well below poverty level based on our income..and can't fly off to Europe....But as I tell him, Look as the victims of hurricane Katrina, or the tsunami victims...read "Angela's Ashes...We have it great! I think part of this syndrome has to do with what is shown ot us on T.V....everyone has nice cars, they go out and by great flat ware and whatever and we think that this standard of living is normal the world over. We Americans are very blessed and need to realize it!
600574
Excellent!\n\nI have no clue why ppl have such prejudices against the homeless. I am sure everyone on this entire planet at some point in time, made mistakes that cost them dearly in life.\n\nSometimes ppl are homeless because they just blew some opportunities. Sometimes because of bad choices.. ie, drug use. BUT sometimes ppl r homeless because they are mentally ill or had some sort of major tragedy in their life.\n\nAnd what ppl don't get is that once you are homeless and can't just throw your clothes in the washer or jump in the shower to get cleaned up, it's an incredible thing to be able to get a job. \n\nI mean say the homeless guy did get a job. How long do you think the job will last when he can't even brush his teeth in the morning or wear clean clothes? I'm giving him maybe 1 week at tops.\n\nWhat is suppose to be part of making this nation so great is the fact that we don't let our less fortunate live under bridges. But listen to the ppl who have been blessed with some wealth of this great nation, ".. oh those homeless r getting what they deserve..."\n\nThese ppl sure have no problem reaping the benefits of a civilized progressive society but they sure have a problem with paying for things to keep it that way.
572299
every one would like free money but as you well know freedom isn't free and it cost american's far more in healtcare,financial aide and education for illegals than 1,500 a year. as for the 2,520 lives, how many are lost on the highways of this nation every month due to drunk driving, how about murder rates, what about the number of children each year who die at the hands of their 'loved ones', want to discuss the number of deaths due to cigarettes now? how much do you think these 'little wars' cost us every month? year? talk about senseless deaths...add to that how many iraqi citizens died horrific deaths daily at the hands of hussein? throwing idiotic claims like yours around detracts the ignorant from the real issues, unfortunately you have a lot of ignorant people out there who would rather believe you rather than seek the truth.
397538
While I understand your concern, I don't get very upset about this. So few people do this. Now if you were upset about the millions and millions of dollars that the federal government wastes or the way people spend their disposable income on frivolities while children starve, I could get upset. We all have the right to leave our money to whatever cause, person, we want. And I applaud that.  That is a right that everybody should be free to exercise. I get more upset about pollution, child pornography, the wealthy who have to have fifteen cars, twelve mansions, and designer clothes that they wear once while doing next to nothing for charity. and there are plenty of them. There are people in this world who have amassed millions yet do close to nothing to benefit their fellow man. That I find truly upsetting. When I hold that up to few people who leave their money to a cat or a dog, the animal lovers don't even figure in. And frankly, I have a dog and am disabled. As a result of my disability, I don't have as much contact with the outside world that I need. There are times in life when the presence of that little dog has kept me alive. Nobody is going to tell me what that dog has meant to me or whether or not I can make provisions for him in the event of  my death.
184552
You are generalizing all Americans into one catagory which is wrong. Even though your opinion doesn't concern me or very much matter I believe you really need to further your education. Let's see what you can do in 8th grade. I agree that there's a lot of people from all different countries who are lame excuses, not just America. Furthermore, if you really look into history, you will see that Americans are a spin-off of those countries over there. England, France, Germany, Finland, Norway, Africa, etc. We have as U.S. Citizens - Japanese, Chinese, Somalians, Russians, Australians, Lebanese, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Canadians, Austrians, Bosnians, Africans, Finnish, Norwegians, French, English, Greek, Irish, Dutch, New Zealanders, Polish, Lithuanians, Scots, Spanish, Portugese, and many others from all different countries. Maybe that's why we are blessed. So when you put America down, you're messing with a lot of different Nations. America pays out of the a** for helping different countries and they should consider themselves blessed to have a friend that will do that and is able to do that. So if other countries would just stay out of our pockets and not concern themselves with the money we waste and think of a way to come up with their own we wouldn't have to spend so much on them. And we could spend it on hot air balloons or something....\n\nI was wrong, you are right. It's all about money. I was laying in bed last night and came to this conclusion since I remembered the plight of the Native Americans and how they were all sent to reservations to live and given commodities to live. The BIA lost 20 billion that was suppose to be for the tribal lands with no clear explanantion of where it went. Now that the Tribes have casinos the Government wants a cut of that money too. Enough will never be enough. I also aplogize for my sarcasm. I get carried away from myself sometimes. I was going to edit this last night but the electricity went out and I was left in the dark. Hmmmm......
193410
Normally I'd bring in sources, but have decided to merely shoot from the hip on this one. Income inequality is a dicey term. If referring specifically to the idea that some people make millions, and others make so little, then the answer is you cannot necessarily do away with that in a mostly capitalistic society. However, the way to adjust for this problem is through taxes. The rich may not like it, but the amount of money they make every year is more than most of this country will see in their entire lives. Therefore, we must re-instill the wealthy with a sense of patriotism, and institute a truly progressive taxation system. A man making a million dollars a year could easily afford to provide the government with 50-75% of their income in taxes. 90% of the population makes under $100,000 per year, so I believe that the wealthy citizen could manage with $250,000.\nNow, the argument against this is that the rich earned their money, and so they deserve it. However, those people are merely materialistic sheep. They do not understand that money isn't everything, and so they'd rather be measured by what they own and not who they are as people. Consequently, the point is not whether or not they deserve the money, the question pertains to whether or not they are compassionate human beings who understand that we're all on this planet together. If the human race would stop being so selfish, and merely put in some effort to bringing everyone up, the world would be a much better place.\nIn sumation, since the wealthy have a tendancy to be unconcerned with the plight of the poor, it is imperative for the government to provide. And, as stated, the way to provide is to tax. Everyone hates taxes, but without them there would be no government. No government means no laws, and no police or firemen. Therefore, the country would descend into chaos, and we would all lose.
620897
ohhh, how judgemental is everyone here?...think i'll keep my own comments to myself before i start shooting off my mouth and sounding ignorant...as for u all, maybe u should ask a poor, under priviliged minority who just lost all of his home, money, job, several family members, and all of his material possesions why he / she is having trouble starting completely over from nothing after being unwillingly relocated to places where they are viewed w/ predjudice and the limited opportunities that are there are that much harder to take advantage of....But then again, how often in history have those who are more fortunate been able to relate to the plights of those who don't enjoy the same benefits as they do?
370986
Do you mean if there is any change in the world hunger/starvation situation?  We shouldn't do anything in the event of change .... WE SHOULD **BE** THE CHANGE!  The United States is blessed beyond belief with resources, and we should share them with others... not just other countries but with our own people as well.   There are so many poor people right here in the United States.  Now I am certainly not suggesting that we only take care of "our own"...but rather that we should help ourselves AND those in other countries.  Are you in the U.S.?  If so then I'm sure that you are aware of the enormous amount of food that rots in the dumpsters.  It's sickening.  There is so much that we could do, but yet we don't do it because our focus is on earning a buck and making sure that the rich here remain as exactly that- RICH.  Major reform is needed.  Generosity is needed.
194691
no.  that one answer was ridiculous.  America isnt *just* restricting people from financially poor countries.  People from China and Japan have just as much trouble.