Who will help the poor?

Question

Unfortunately, millions of people world wise, live in extreme poverty. In developing countries, many are forced to live on the streets or in shanty towns. Beggars-the lame, the blind, women nursing their babies are a common sight. It is difficult to justify such poverty in a world where the human race has never been richer or better armed with the medical knowledge, technological powers and intellectual firepower needed to beat poverty, so who will help the poor?

Answer 1

Unfortunately probably the biggest thing that would help end global poverty is partly in changing our attitudes, shopping and living habits. If you are really bothered by it buy fair trade, and do research before you spend your money on any product and see what their workers make compared to you and the CEO of that company. Either that or let Bono figure something out.

Answer 2

The problem of poverty is so entrenched and stems from so many causes that it's not a single-actor solution. You'll need an understanding of the systemic root and solutions that involve either shifting the paradigm or remedying the symptoms.

Yes, we're wealthy and have significant technology, but throwing money at it is only a temporary solution. To use an example, Yale's endowment is sufficient to cover the entire costs of its entire student body for four years. But if it used the endowment for that purpose, what would it do for students who came in 10 years from now?

In the same way, we can buy food and medicine and shelter for everyone. But the root causes will remain, and they are legion. What is needed is a fundamental change in that which causes poverty in the first place.

I've often thought if you could have continent-wide peace in Africa for a decade, you'd see substantial gains in human development and the poverty rate would be cut in half. You'd have a strong enough economy to sustain democratic governance and prevent economic disenfranchisement from being sufficient to send a state into disarray.

Diseases can be treated, but there's no point if the lifestyle doesn't change - if you rid a child of worms but he drinks from teh same polluted well, you've only added a few weeks of parasite-free growth. If you identify, counsel and convince 50% of the HIV-infected persons to abstain from spreading the disease, but large-scale rape and promiscuity continues, you've only slowed the spread. If you provide shots and immunizations, but the local diet continues to provide only 800 calories a die, malnourishment alone is sufficient to guarantee pestilence.

A solution to poverty needs to be long-term.

As far as WHO will help, check with the Carter Foundation. They're one of the best around.

Answer 3

The amount of poor people in our country is surprisingly low. The Westernized world in general does not have a very big problem with this. Many organizations, such as ONE.org, are currently working to attempt an end to world poverty.

Answer 4

did I read right? did calleybaby say that the president is working on this? Help will have to come on the big scale by people like the Microsoft guy , Oprah and others. The government can't take care of the people sleeping in the street down from the White House.

Answer 5

You see in the rich countries, something like 5% of the population own 95% of the wealth....

I'm a Muslim and in Islam it is a Pillar of Faith to give to charity 2.5% of your earnings (if you don't earn, then its OK). So imagine, if everyone in this world was Muslim and donated 2.5% of their earnings to charity, there would be no world poverty - Islam should at least be praised for that.

Answer 6

The POOR? tell them to get a job. Do you know how many jobs are available to people? I see signs in windows in papers advertising all the time. Why should people work? If they work they cant get welfare. Welfare should be limited. A 2 yr period. You have 2 yrs to find a job and get on your feet thats it! As far as children go. IF your on welfare, 2 kids thats it. If you have more then 2 kids feed them on your own. Free operations to men and women to have tubes tied or whatever if you are on welfare. Why should I support your children. Id like to have a few of my own.

Answer 7

The poor will help themselves, else remain poor. I've lived amongst inner city blacks in my childhood, and squalor villages in Philippines for years, and I can assure you that poor people are poor because of their own actions. Any one with a bleeding heart (as I once had), go live amongst the poor in squalor and bust your fantasy.

Socialism always fails. Only the free market motivates lifeforms.

Answer 8

there arent enough resources in the world for everyone to live above the poverty line. just wait till we run out of oil in 50-100 years, our civilization is at or near its peak right now

Answer 9

Paying taxes helps the poor. Don't be concerned about that. The president and the government are trying to prevent that as well.

Answer 10

the thing about bill gates is the way he asks the question. not who will help the poor but what are the things needed to help the poor. providing a roadmap, empowers everyone to help.