Why don't high profile multi-millionaire's rock stars help to rid the world of poverty?

Question

Multi millionaires such as Bono who are always harping on about world poverty seem better placed to do something finacially to help the third world than the average man on the street. Even if they only gave a small percentage of their earnings and put this into a trust fund of some description it would make a dramatic difference. This would not be setting a precedent as the Grateful Dead have long had a foundation set up, financed by their own money, to administrate money to deserving causes. If all the mega rich rock stars set up similar charitable foundations, giving something in the order of 20% of their earnings over, then maybe we'd see an end to world poverty. After all such a paultry ammount would hardly leave them skint would it?

Answer 1

It's not their responsibility. It's the governments responsibility but they're too busy screwing things up.

Answer 2

Do I detect a hint of jealousy here? While I agree that the more money we have the greater should be our pang of conscience, why on earth would any rock star indulge in such a thankless, futile scheme. The role of the celebrity is best suited to raising awareness, as proved by many a charity concert down the years, from George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh to Live8

Answer 3

Bono, Geldof, et all, use these opportunities to tell us about how great they are. I mean , what did John Lennon ever do for peace, except lie in a bed for 3 days, full of heroin, with an ugly Japanese lady? Where's the money? Maggie Thatcher turned up at lots of accidents, natural disasters, etc - why does no-one treat her with similar awe? When Bono or Lennon could actually buy some of the nations they whine about - and the funds are probably tied up in something unethical - I argue that they are as guilty of CREATING misery as the organisations and govermnments who are their targets. Plus U2 and Lennon were sh*te anyway!

Answer 4

Why do you think the rich rock stars of this world stay rich, because they expect the poor of this world to do the funding for them, Bono needs to take a leaf out of a lot of the hard working poverty bread line people in this country and see how charitable they are on their low incomes, I think for him its a case of do as I say, not as I do.

Answer 5

It's not only rock stars, what about footballers, film stars, but remember there are quite alot of rich celebrities that do give al lot of money to charity, but in 3rd world countries there is a lot of corrupt governments so the money never goes to the right places.

Answer 6

Solidarity would be great if only we could move people towards it
I have always found it scandalous that these high profile people have such vast fortunes even though they and their children would never be able to spend it!!!
If you took Bill Gates' fortune for example you would probably be able to feed the entire third world for at least a week with that money.
but as I said before Solidarity is great but moving people towards it is another matter!!!

Answer 7

Celebrities donate A LOT OF MONEY to charitable causes.
But money is not the answer...

You have to empower people to change their lives, by creating a climate where economic prosperity can take root.

"Give a man a fish - feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish - feed him for a lifetime".

Answer 8

They are like most every one else, they figure it is not their problem. We have people right here in the US that are starving to death. Yet our gov. sends billions of dollars to other countries. Don't get me wrong I think we should help where ever we can, but at the same time we need to take care of our own people too. But as far as the rich that's how they became rich. They put it in their pockets and never think of anyone else.

Answer 9

They do....and it dosn't make poverty go away because it all gets pocketed by all the "middle-men" before it gets to where it is going.There are some exceptions but not many. As long as we(humans) use moneys to barter our goods and wears there will always be (rich and poor) , no matter who gives away what.

Answer 10

I agree... but not just rock stars. There are people with millions who just indulge themselves when that money could do so much good. It is almost a crime against others.
Just think of the money someone like Paris Hilton wastes and the food it could buy and help it could give.

Nice question.

Answer 11

its called "greed" Did you know the gov controls that?..get a clue... every time there's a cost of living increase across the board prices out match it by a few cents on the dollar. The game is to bleed the poor as much as possible without killing the golden goose (the poor who support the rich)