How can we bridge the gap between the world's rich and poor?

Question

As the ranks of the world's wealthiest climb, the world's poor stagnate. Generations of aid have not yet fixed this problem. Do we in the North really want to fix the problem? Or are we too far away? Should each of us (those privledged enough to have internet access) have to spend time in another man's flipflops to truly understand poverty? As a consequence we may also find that our yeanings for material gain carry us on a pursuit of discontent. Happiness is at the center. If all of humanity merges there, can we not share it equitable? We might all win. How?

Answer 1

We can't for as long as people keep cranking out babies and reaching for government hand-outs (thank's welfare!). This is especially true if people are content with such a lifestyle, and many studies have proven that the parents don't mind it, although the children suffer for having to deal with such limitations.
Basically, it all comes down to mindsets. If we can change that, we can make a difference. Educating people is always the stock answer to these sorts of questions, but it is never a guarantee. Education plus some sort of incentive toward a decisive conviction to put what has been learned into practical use may be the beginning of the answer.

The rules of social inertia will not allow us all to see the world as you do. The more we have, the more we see within our reach, which also translates into the more we need (or rather think we need). This way of thinking has infected all of us. Even consider yourself for instance: would you be willing to give half of your paycheck to a poor family? As much as your heart may want to say "yes!" to that question; what are the chances that you will actually do it. I wish I could say that I would do it, along with actually putting my intentions into motion, but many people simply do not operate that way.
Very thought provoking questions, and I'm sure that there is a lot more to be said, but I'm almost certain that I've said more than my fair share; at least in this forum.

Answer 2

First lets clean up a common lie. The rich do not work. They have never worked a day in their life. Many have made the wealth they have by stealing from others, some got it from Mommy and Daddy.
Some like to call stealing "busting their chops" to earn it.
In Iran a shaw was elected in a democratic election, the CIA, our CIA, found out he was going to Nationalize Irans oil wealth, the CIA had him removed, Iran then got the worst dictator in History.
We send $2 trillion to Iran and Afghanistan and they use it to pay for what "terrorist activity" in the world.
We have lost $8 billion in Iraq, just lost it. The Iraq war will cost working class tax payers $2 trillion. Can you now see where the money goes? We as tax payers give it to Halliburton. We have spent over $35 billion per year on defense, we still can't catch a six foot terrorist dragging a kidney machine in the desert. Star Wars also does not work. After $ trillions spent on it.
Organized crime is alive and well in the USA, some call it Congress.

Answer 3

When you refer to we in the "North", are you implying the USA vs the "South" -Mexico or all of Latin and South America? Have you forgotten a few other continents? As a member of the "working poor" I beg to differ with you. The rich will always be rich! The poor will always be supplemented and assisted by humanitarian groups....but who is helping the working class, who are working harder than ever, shelling out more through payroll deductions, being taxed disproportionately, and struggling daily to keep their heads above water. We are not eligible for assistance based on a gross income, yet our net incomes are decreasing every day. Your melodramatic, wishy washy sentiment is so full of s***. If you want to save the world, start writing some checks!!!!

Answer 4

The only way for humanity to survive with any dignity, is to reduce the World population to 2 billion people. 40,000 children starve to death everyday, our seas are dying from our waste, arable land is disappearing at 2% per year,finite resources (like oil) will soon run out and people have the stupidity to say the world has room for more people.
You cannot "bridge the gap" between rich and poor, when the poor are so good at creating more poor.

Answer 5

Eliminate the Tax Cut for the wealthy. Raise the minimum wage. Deport the illegal aliens.
The idea that there are jobs that Americans "Won't do" is a myth. Americans will do anything, if paid a decent living wage...including agriculture work.
We could help Americas poor more efficiently if we stopped caring for Mexicos poor.

Answer 6

I'm not sure how to get us there but it sounds great to me. Maybe we could all start by sending half the money each day that we spend on war and Vente Lattes to feed the people of the world. It might get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Answer 7

TAX the Rich for 50% of what they earn and give it to the poor, if not, they get executed by the poor, in any manner & style that the poor want to..it's called rebellion. And I could see it happen..another civil war in the United States.

Answer 8

It will take more than handouts...a more basic need is to have the governments be more honest. so many times the Aid does not make it to the intended because of the greed of the power people so an examination of power and what constitutes success is needed... this is a very complex question and is not a simple fix...

Answer 9

you know what that is greates question I have ever heard in my hole life thank you person at last some body asked that, well m yanswer is we need a new president the republicions is making us poor that taking all of our money during christmas time its crazy we need somebody with hope and justice and bravery!!!

Answer 10

There will always be the rich as well as the poor as long as there are people.