Should we buy things we dont need when people else where are starving?

Question

I dont think so. i think America as a whole is a very glutoness country; how can we go into stores and buy cell phones or hundred dollar shoes when 3 year olds in other places are dying of starvation or curable diseases ? Some how i dont think that giving that change to the Salvation Army is enough, it takes alot of courage but i think it is human responsibilty to have a great social conciousness Christmas time or not , because honestly buying gifts from stores is the furthest thing from Chritsmas' principal or basic love for one another its not convienant to give lots of money to those who need it but its not convieniant for a mothers only son to die in Africa either.

What do you think?

Its disturbing to see how selfish people can be (the first several answers) i wonder how theyd feel if the tables were turned. People dont usaully choose poverty its not thier fault but how can you say yes to a stake but no to a bone thin kid , im sorry but thats just evil i think.
its is everyones responsibility . Charities just like anything else have some problems but some cars blow up without notice does that mean you will never drive again? Everything isnt gonna make you "feel good" so what its not for you to feel good giving a starved human food thats simply doing what should be expected.
Wow!

Its my schools computer.

Answer 1

I understand completely where you are coming from. This year I just haven't had the heart to spend like an idiot like I have in years past. I have tried to make my gifts count for what I am able to do to effect other people in a positive way instead of going to buy the latest electronic gadget . I am not being as wasteful. It just all seems so pointless . The world seems so sad . I just find no joy in being the way I use to be this time of year.The "stuff" doesn't seem important anymore.

Answer 2

The money I make is mine. I exchanged my time and skills for compensation. What I choose to do with it is my business. That's why we have the system we have. I shouldn't be told what to do with it (including pay taxes for broken systems).

If I choose to buy a $300 camera, and then the next week donate money to a cause, I might, but really, it's up to me.

Plus, I don't really trust charities. How do I know that the money I give them is really going to where it needs to go? I'd rather buy a homeless person a meal (which I've done).

EDIT:

It's not selfishness, dear. How is the fact that I put in my 40 hours a week to pay my bills and be able to afford thing I like selfish? I worked hard to get to where I am. I do deserve some reward for that. I give up my time to a HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY that helps other people. I also DO give to charity. But I'm not going to deny myself fun things to feed the rest of the world when it isn't solely my responsibility.

And poverty IS something else other people can solve, including those people themselves. I'm not saying the extremely impoverished can do anything about their situations. Those countries need assistance, and there is assistance out there. However, there is no reason why poverty happens in the United States. If homeless people want, they can go to a library, read books to educate themselves, stay in a shelter and do odd jobs for companies that see past the "you need an address" excuse, etc. There are so many programs to help the poor, yet the poor don't seem to be gaining access to these programs. Why? Because many of the poor don't take the time to seek help. The laziness is two sided.

As for "if the tables were turned," how do you know anyone here didn't experience poverty as kids? You are making major assumptions that are very judgmental. If you wanted us all to agree with you, you should have said so.

Furthermore, how do you know some of us aren't helping the world in other ways? I teach at a community college. I'm helping people gain knowledge about themselves and the world, so that maybe, someone in my class will help the poverty stricken as well.

But you can continue to assume that I'm selfish just because I enjoy spending the paycheck that I EARNED. Get off your pedestal, please.

Answer 3

People don't feel the direct responsibility to offer money because they always believe that someone else is going to take care of it. I believe that if you are going to criticize anyone, the first people who should come down are baseball players and Hollywood celebrities because no human being has to be paid that much. Personally, I believe that if you are lucky enough to have that much wealthy celebrity or not, you should give back in some way. I recommend the book Appiah's Cosmopolitanism. It's quite insightful and may answer more in depth some of these questions you've been coming up with.

Answer 4

survival of the fittest. America is doing better than Africa. Africa can't support it's population so they kind of have to die off. When Africa can support its self again, it will. Until then, they need to stop making babies they can't support. The same thing happens all the time in nature. Think about it this way. There's a field. There's a couple of foxes and there's plenty of food. They multiply because there's plenty of space and food and it's great. Then there's too many foxes and not enough food or space. They have to die off until the ecosystem can support the numbers again.

Answer 5

Well, on the surface I would agree with you. But the things we buy that we don't need (and some that we do) are what actually keep poor people from starving (mostly in other coutries). So the argument becomes: Do we not buy anything to protest the conditions that these people work under (and possibly have them lose their jobs and starve) or do we keep buying things and keep them working and opressed (but alive)?

It's a compelling argument either way.

If one truly wants to be altruistic, volunteering to help these people on the front line is what makes a difference. Be it a soup kitchen or in the peace corps. People feel cared for when we care for them.

Answer 6

It's too bad that most of us feel this way only during the Christmas season, when we should feel this way every day of the year. I donate monthly to a community teen mom program. Every cent goes directly to programs or essentials items for these girls. I think we need to start in our own communities first.
Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

Can you name a country that gives more foreign aid money than we do? I don't think you can. Our government forces us to give some and we give even more of our own free will. We all should do our part to help, but I think it is going to far to say we can't have fun with at least some of our money. And since you apparently have a computer it looks like you agree with me.

Answer 8

The thought that i always think of is as follows:
If i have the money and i want to buy something that is unecessary or extravagant i buy it anyways because i want it. whenever i feel the need to dontate, i will because it makes me feel good and everylittle bit helps. plus if everyone in the US(not likely to happen) donated 1 dollar there would be enough money for everyone

Answer 9

I commend you for your conscientiousness and if more people thought the way you do, and followed through with action, this world would be a better place. We each can make a difference for the better.

Best wishes.

Answer 10

Go to Africa and save those people and leave "US" alone. I'm going to Outback Steakhouse then 31 Flavors to pig out.
Later .