Is anyone else sick of Bono going on about relieving world poverty?

Question

Campaigning rock star Bono, who has made a major impact with Make Poverty History and global debt cancellation initiatives, is in hot water with development and church groups over the justice of his own finances.

Along with Irish politicians, they are expressing surprise and dismay at U2's decision to move part of its multi-million pound operation from Ireland to Amsterdam, where the tax rate on royalty earnings is miniscule – and the Christian Council for Monetary Justice (CCMJ) says this is just one part of a global money system gone badly wrong.

The singer and his band U2 are facing for accusations of hypocrisy for switching their financial affairs to avoid paying higher taxes in Ireland, while berating the parsimony of rich country leaders and calling for public funds to go into financing debt relief for poor nations.

What do you think?

Answer 1

What do you expect from the man who had to have his HAT flown out to him on a private jet?

He's just a big hypocrite, isn't he - using his faith to wheedle his way into press conferences with the Bush family, campaigning for ordinary people to part with their hard earned cash while sitting on a pile of money that wouldn't shame Scrooge McDuck.

I don't like him or Geldoff very much.

Answer 2

The band U2 has done more than any of us to raise awareness. I see that some people have Cotton wool pulled over there eyes. I see the logic if its true, to base themselves in Amsterdam. For why give the money in sale's tax to a country that does not need the cash. Well done is what i say. About time people started to do there part to help others in less fortunate situations. Just read what people would do if the had a million quid in answers. Most would spend it on themselves. So yet we see people questioning what he does with his own cash. You guys want to take a look at your own hearts instead of others. As for country leaders getting involved, they are trying to put him down because he is putting them to shame for not doing enough to help ease the burden. Who else has challenged Mr Blair, Mr bush etc? Who helped in band aid, and live aid? Get a grip people and start supporting people that want to make a difference.

Answer 3

That is in fact wrong about U2 switching there financial affairs to avoid paying taxes in Ireland. For stat writer and other performer don't have to pay taxes here. The reason this was brought in the mid 70s was to encourage artists to come and live here. How come Michael O'flattery of riverdance who is American living in Ireland. Both Sir Bob Geldof and other Irish man who started LIve Aid has done so much to make other aware of the poor in Africa. Some have said what did the African Americian do for there so called brothers in Africa f**k all. They never open there mouth when the starving people of Africa dieing.

Answer 4

Well it's good that some one does this, but I agree with you it gets a bit much, when you see all the very rich people of the world, i know some dig deep, but not as many as they could, and then we are put in the frame, and they try to make us feel guilty for not parting with our hard earned money, yes I would give some if I could afford it, but what about some of these people doing something their selves to stop it, I'm sorry but I don't think it's right that they seem to have child after child, I know i would not have had any children if I could not provide for them fully.

Answer 5

how selfish are you? you will possibly rather keep paying for at starbucks and ingesting your staggering heat espresso than see somebody who would probably starve to loss of life have a meal. Oh and via the way....why does making poverty history could immediately equivalent greater industry, greater oil and each human having a vehicle? who's to declare human beings residing in poverty even choose those issues? Why presuppose that our way of existence is more desirable? doing away with poverty could (if human beings might supply up continually finding at it with a western perspective of money and economic strengthen) equivalent permitting human beings to comprehend self dignity and fullfillment. actual and drawing close threat of overpopulation you're saying? did you recognize that holland is the main densley populated usa interior the international and yet its human beings are no longer in actual and immenent threat of extinction. Did you ever end to think of, that possibly as quickly as undesirable human beings end wanting to have little ones for his or her very own survival that beginning expenditures would decrease? Or that if residing circumstances have been stronger and thereby the liklihood of a teenager surviving previous 5 might strengthen, that birthrates might additionally decrease? battling poverty is synonymous with battling your so called "overpopulation".

Answer 6

If he is sincere he would found a trust (as Bill Gates has done) and not only put in some of his wealth but encourage others to do the same. If he has moved to Holland to minimise his tax liability and he's going to give the difference to those he professes to care about I wish him well. Sadly I have my doubts.

Answer 7

Totaly sick, of him and Bob Geldof, they should keep their mouths closed until they know what they are talking about - throwing money at the problem isn't the answer, neither is cancelling the debt. since the 1960's BILLIONS of pounds has been poured into Africa - and what is there to show for it? B*gger all.

Answer 8

Great Question ! Do as i say , not as i do! I think Bono has done some amazing things but for the last year or so, i really have questioned Bono's motives . I think he believes he is Jesus but Jesus never became a tax exile !

Answer 9

Bono suffers from 2 diseases.
Proctoheliosis and cephaloproctitis.
And a hypocrite.
But as long as he stays rich,I doubt if he cares what people think.

Answer 10

If he's so bothered about it, why doesn't his band, or just him, give all their earnings to the poor, even if he started to do that from now it wouldn't make much of a difference to his overall wealth, hypocrites, all of them!