The Big Noise is a rather interesting twist on the old sign-a-petition school of activism; it’s an interactive web project by Oxfam to register public opinion on the issue of fair global trade. Bono endorses it:
“Away from calamity and physical circumstances, there’s often a structural aspect to poverty in the developing world. We’ve had some success raising awareness about the burden of old debt, and we must now also focus on the unfair trade status of these most fragile and seedling economies. Oxfam has got it right. It wouldn’t cost much to change the rules of trade so that poor countries can work their way out of poverty. But the world’s leaders won’t act unless they hear enough people telling them. And every day they fail to act, thousands of people die because they can’t afford the basics of survival.”
“No civilised community should be willing to tolerate the extremes of prosperity and poverty that are generated by current trade practices.”
__________
I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. However, I fail to understand how the world can come to the end of it based on just changing global business practices. The issue like the article brings out is way more complicated than that. Basically, every nation should be just like the United States of America? Is that possible…and if so…why would a nation want to be like us when we STILL haven’t ended poverty within our own borders or even ceased WAR which is introducing the dilemma of granting OTHER countries access to our business. We have come to tolerate the chasm between rich and poor even WITH great laws benefitting the majority of the nation AND corporations…(i.e. welfare, Social Security, Disability Act, Medicaid, non-taxable non-profit organizations, anti-monopoly legislation)
We have monopolies though…look at Wal-mart. The only thing that makes them pallatable is that they DO provide for the majority in their own greedy way..(i.e. jobs, low-priced products and easy access because they’re organized to accomplish their business goals; make money for the shareholders/investors)
_____________
” Oxfam believes that change is possible. The international trading system is not a force of nature. It is a system of exchange, managed by rules and institutions that reflect political choices. Those choices can prioritise the interests of the weak and vulnerable, or the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Trade is reinforcing global poverty and inequality because the international trading system is managed to produce these outcomes.”
__________
Well, I believe change is possible too…cuz eventually the PEOPLE behind the “INTERNAL TRADING SYSTEM” are going to die just like the millions of Africans. They are mortal people we are talking about here that are doing what they BELIEVE is right and providing for THEIR nations and families and sick and ill which is their right to have cuz it is their OWN political ideology. Eventhough it’s wrong to take advantage of people, it will continue to occur in illegal and non-illegal ways. Please, don’t let people take advantage of your good name before you know all the facts about an issue that is very complicated to understand because it is GLOBAL. Please read Micah 6:6-8 in any Holy Bible you may have available to you and it doesn’t say “sign here”. I say leave the global change to God, he can see and change more than I ever could. 2 Peter 3:10 and no I don’t naively expect a massive global conversion to one standard of business, political or ideological practice until the Almighty God removes the true CAUSE of the problems we’re discussing – Satan (Revelation 12:9).
“No civilised community should be willing to tolerate the extremes of prosperity and poverty that are generated by current trade practices.”
__________
I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. However, I fail to understand how the world can come to the end of it based on just changing global business practices. The issue like the article brings out is way more complicated than that. Basically, every nation should be just like the United States of America? Is that possible…and if so…why would a nation want to be like us when we STILL haven’t ended poverty within our own borders or even ceased WAR which is introducing the dilemma of granting OTHER countries access to our business. We have come to tolerate the chasm between rich and poor even WITH great laws benefitting the majority of the nation AND corporations…(i.e. welfare, Social Security, Disability Act, Medicaid, non-taxable non-profit organizations, anti-monopoly legislation)
We have monopolies though…look at Wal-mart. The only thing that makes them pallatable is that they DO provide for the majority in their own greedy way..(i.e. jobs, low-priced products and easy access because they’re organized to accomplish their business goals; make money for the shareholders/investors)
_____________
” Oxfam believes that change is possible. The international trading system is not a force of nature. It is a system of exchange, managed by rules and institutions that reflect political choices. Those choices can prioritise the interests of the weak and vulnerable, or the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Trade is reinforcing global poverty and inequality because the international trading system is managed to produce these outcomes.”
__________
Well, I believe change is possible too…cuz eventually the PEOPLE behind the “INTERNAL TRADING SYSTEM” are going to die just like the millions of Africans. They are mortal people we are talking about here that are doing what they BELIEVE is right and providing for THEIR nations and families and sick and ill which is their right to have cuz it is their OWN political ideology. Eventhough it’s wrong to take advantage of people, it will continue to occur in illegal and non-illegal ways. Please, don’t let people take advantage of your good name before you know all the facts about an issue that is very complicated to understand because it is GLOBAL. Please read Micah 6:6-8 in any Holy Bible you may have available to you and it doesn’t say “sign here”. I say leave the global change to God, he can see and change more than I ever could. 2 Peter 3:10 and no I don’t naively expect a massive global conversion to one standard of business, political or ideological practice until the Almighty God removes the true CAUSE of the problems we’re discussing – Satan (Revelation 12:9).
Let us know when you have an opinion and would really like to share with us, Karaoke;)!!! Good Lord, I’m scared to write something after you!!! You are why they make these posts!!!
Let us know when you have an opinion and would really like to share with us, Karaoke;)!!! Good Lord, I’m scared to write something after you!!! You are why they make these posts!!!
There is a difference between ending poverty for all and ending it for some. True..this isn’t the end all, be all..but I definitely think its an idea worth pursing…that might actually make Some lives better..certainly better than sitting back and saying “survival of the fittest”…
There is a difference between ending poverty for all and ending it for some. True..this isn’t the end all, be all..but I definitely think its an idea worth pursing…that might actually make Some lives better..certainly better than sitting back and saying “survival of the fittest”…
I am so glad you raised that point Megan. The evolutionary theory promoted by many scientists and professors is the root cause of why RICH people are looking after themselves more than their neighbor. They are afraid if they get involved in the lives of the indigent they will be throwing away their own status in society AND setting themselves up to be taken advantage of. However, living for a couple of weeks in Africa is not going to help the Africans. Any serious contributor must also be willing to LIVE in Africa and become a driving force in aid to those groups who WANT aid and not just charity. I don’t expect everyone who wants to help Africans to do that…but I expect the MAJOR contributions to come from the physical NEIGHBORS of the people in African villages, towns and countries.
I am so glad you raised that point Megan. The evolutionary theory promoted by many scientists and professors is the root cause of why RICH people are looking after themselves more than their neighbor. They are afraid if they get involved in the lives of the indigent they will be throwing away their own status in society AND setting themselves up to be taken advantage of. However, living for a couple of weeks in Africa is not going to help the Africans. Any serious contributor must also be willing to LIVE in Africa and become a driving force in aid to those groups who WANT aid and not just charity. I don’t expect everyone who wants to help Africans to do that…but I expect the MAJOR contributions to come from the physical NEIGHBORS of the people in African villages, towns and countries.