I am not being cruel here. However, our country uses billions of taxpayers dollars to give to 3rd world countries for various things. Why do our own superstars give their millions away to these countries as well? Brangelina, Madonna, Ashley Judd, just to name a few. This country has millions of poor people. Millions of children with no health insurance, living in poverty with parents that dont love or want them. Millions of children waiting to be adopted. Care of the Elderly, in this country is a disgrace. I do not understand for the life of me, why they do this. Why not give back to the people who have made you famous superstars? Why not be kind and caring in your own homeland? It really does just baffle me.
[question posted by melissaruth1]
responses and comments:
You know this is a really good point! It's obscene the amount of money show business personalities make, and yes, you'd think they'd give some to people in their own country for a change. After all as you say, WE are the ones who made them rich and famous. [philjas]
They wouldnt be so rich if it wasnt for all of us. [melissaruth1]
Sure we have poverty here, but it is nothing like poverty in the developing world. We can't even understand the level of poverty there. I know this is a fact because I work with people in the third world. I don't like that term much. I usually refer to it as the Global South. I don't think anyone is saying that people here have perfect lives but at least we have a safety net that they don't. [cripfemme]
That may or may not be true. The welfare system in this country is far from perfect. We have people living at poverty level, even though they work. We have millions of uninsured elderly and children. I am not unsympathetic to the plight of these poor people in these very poor countries, but we have our own problems here, and as I stated we give millions in tax dollars already. [melissaruth1]
i agree with this, but believe it or not, it actually makes them look better to give money to a little children with infectious diseases then to give money to your own country or your grandma, idk, it makes them look less self absorbed if they give to poor countries, but i agree that you make a good point. [agamer]
We have little children with infectious diseases. We have children that are uninsured, and go untreated everyday. Our healthcare system is a joke. I am not saying dont give to other countries, but give some back to those that made you rich in the first place. [melissaruth1]
well I guess even though there are millions of poor and abandoned in the US at least there is a welfare system in place. in other countries their govt is in shambles and they are plagued by war and corruption so they are definitely in worse shape than anyone in a developed country where at least there is access to basic food and water. [squaretile]
I suppose, but our system is less than perfect. I just think there are so many needy here, more than would ever know that there really are. We overlook it, pretend it isnt there, or just ignore it. There is so much that needs to be done here in their own country. [melissaruth1]
because all of these actually makes them even more famous worldwide [delabam]
Then I think that is the most selfish and unkind reason to do it. [melissaruth1]
In a way it does make them more famous, but not in a commercial or selfish kind of way. Their 'star power' helps to spread the issue or cause their donating to or fighting for. Some NGO's asks celebrities to become their ambassadors for this reason. That way more people will become aware of the problems faced by those countries. I do believe these celebrities give back to their homeland, maybe it's just not publicized as much as was to foreign countries. [Cley_CJ]
Now that is a good point. Their being involved does get the word out, and gets attention. Just donating their name and status should draw in donors, that is all great and maybe even noble, but dont stick your nose up to the people who made you rich and famous. [melissaruth1]
I think many of them do give a lot and do a great deal for those in need here, we just don't hear as much about it. Sean Penn went to New Orleans himself after Katrina to help with the clean up and rescue. Brad and Angelina also have spent time in Louisiana, I think they bought a home there and they were helping to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. I agree, though, if they're not giving to those in need in our country they should. I mean, I know there are many people in third world countries that live in conditions our most poor couldn't even imagine but they could help those in need here as well. For the record, I really hand it to those who do so much to help others. I know some will say they can afford it so it's not that big a deal but I think it IS a big deal because they don't have to do it. Many who can give or help do but many who can do not so I applaud those that do. Annie Annie [anniepa]
See I would think them going to Louisiana would be noble and great, if I didnt think they only did it for the free publicity. I dont understand though, why something like Katrina has to bring out their kindness. Everyday this country has someone die from terrible diseases, die from being untreated and uninsured, live in squalor, live in depravity. Why dont they make the issues that face this country their goal. Is it because we dont want to really know the terrible things that go on everyday in this country. Is it because it is more glamorous, and will get them more free press to do it somewhere else? [melissaruth1]
Politics, plain and simple. [cjgrooms]
Yep. But please do expound on this, cjgrooms. [devylan]
hey.........im n't of ur country ......but still going to try ......out ,,, im from india ,,,,here in ur country its n't the same ...,,,superstars like ...ashwaira....,,,katrina ...,,all give there charity to trusts aiming to kill poverty in india ,,,i hvn't heard them giving charity to 3rd country...,, superstars ........of ur country ...,,shd aim in helping there own people first .....,,,,,if they r still n't satisfied .......well then no harm in trying scnd n thrd country..... [ketan_]
Thank you, and I agree. Kudos to your countries superstars for giving to their own victims first. [melissaruth1]
I am from the Philippines and here you would get to see and feel what poverty looks like.Here it is normal to see toddlers selling flowers and begging in the streets.They do not have proper clothing.You'd see their tummies bulging primarily due to worm infestation and chances are they haven't a morsel to eat.You'd see people in the market lining up under the heat of the sun with their babies or even when it's raining to try to buy the cheapest rice which would not be fit for consumption in your powerful nation.Some families try to satiate themselves with a small plate of rice and salt as viand.They cannot afford to eat 2 decent meals in a day.Vagabonds content themselves with sniffing contact cement to ease their hunger.Fishermen go out in the storm to try to earn a little despite the peril just to feed their families.A lot of families live in makeshift homes under a bridge.You'd see families living in wooden carts scavenging for food.Overseas contract workers leave their children and care for other children just to be able to send money back to their families.These facts I mentioned cannot even compare to the situation of folks in other nations such as Sudan. The Pulitzer winning photo of Kevin Carter shows a famished black child feebly crawling towards a United Nations camp a kilometer away as vulture waits behind for the child to die to eat him.Up to this day this photo haunts me as I rest in the comfort of my home and yet have the audacity to complain to God.It's no wonder that the photojournalist committed suicide after taking that photo.There's also a real picture of malnourished children drinking urine as an ox urinates.These scenes of the cruelty of life perhaps pinch the hearts of celebrities who choose to bring aid to other countries in dire need of it. [coffeebeatnik]
Unfortunately, coffeebeatnik, I don't think these celebrities would get quite as much publicity for helping out their own. But then again... wonders never cease! [devylan]
I am from a third world country and I read about those Hollywood celebrities giving away insanely huge amount of dollars to under privileged children especially. It's not just Hollywood celebrities, would you believe that celebrities even in third world countries (I'm speaking about the Philippines, mainly) donates to lots of charities? Yeah, they do. We don't really know what their "intentions" are and we can only assume of the best and the worst reasons we can think of on why they do that. Some reasons/justifications I can think of: 1. Maybe they want to give back to the "world" some of the blessings that they've been receiving. Besides, why would they keep another $14 million dollars in their bank accounts when they already have 10 times that amount (or more!) in their savings and they can earn that amount in just weeks. Why not give it to those who need it more than they do? 2. Maybe they feel it's their obligation to help since they are the ones more "financially blessed". Karma's fast. So better do good when you can. 3. Politics? Maybe they want to look good? Boost up their reputation? Heighten their self-esteem? Grow a larger fan base? Or inspire others to help the poor? 4. I can't think of any justification for my number 3. I mean why would they want to look good and all that, are they running for any government position? Presidential maybe? Maybe they are really sincere in what they're doing. It's an honorable thing what these celebrities are doing. Maybe we should just be "happy" that at least somebody's helping somebody in ways they can. Let's not look at the "why not help her or him?", "why not give in this country?", "why, why, why?". Maybe they know that "him or her" doesn't need their help more badly than this charities from the third world does. Maybe their way of helping their own homeland is by paying their taxes, paying those who work for them, buying local products, etc. 1/8 or 1/4 of their incomes go back to their countries via their taxes anyway. [marababe]
Those are all very good points. I am not saying they shouldnt donate to these countries. I think it is noble and great to share some of the blessings you have received yourself. [melissaruth1]
Poverty does exist in the developed world but it's nothing like the sort of poverty and deprivation that exists in some parts of the developing world. It's morally right that wealthy countries should do all they can to assist the poorest countries. I think it's admirable that celebrities do their bit to help, however their real contribution comes from the publicity they can generate for these causes and issues. And of course these high-earning superstars do already contribute to their own country via taxes. [Stiletto]
No offense, but I dont think paying your taxes counts as charity. I pay my taxes everyday. I do not feel it is charity. It pays for lawmakers salaries, state salaries, and other things that I dont consider charity. I dont consider welfare to be charity either. Charity is something you give of yourself, not because it is taken from your paycheck. Charity is given out of love and kindness. If that is all that needed to solve the problems in these other countries, then why dont they impose taxes. [melissaruth1]
I do think that you should give to organizations such as Second Harvest. But it is just the poor look more poorer if they have dark faces and wear exotic clothes, and live in grass huts then if they are living in a trailer park or renting an old wood clap house and has red, blond, or like brown hair and freckles instead of brown skin. The American poor do not get the help because they do not fit the image of poverty. Oh yes in Katrina people were donating, but that is because many of the poor there fit the image of the poor black child. Americans need help. There are many poor around us, and in Canada as well. But we are told to help those afar off and the poor here have to rely in the offerings from the church, social service, or the food packages you donate in the grocery stores. The rich has enough to give, the middle class less, and the poor hardly any. Help those at home first. [suspenseful]
That is what I feel. [suspenseful]
I have always wondered this, not only about the stars, but in general. They don't seem to show them as much, but they always use to show commercials about children in third world countries starving and needing clothes. Not that I don't sympathize with them, but we have so many people starving and needing clothes right here in the US! Children without parents and homes for that matter. Isn't the saying "Charity begins at home"? Shouldn't we help our own country first, before we go overseas? [drknlvly6781]
Yes I have seen her commercials, and it is very noble. I wonder why she isnt that passionate about poor and abused children though. [melissaruth1]
BAffles me too. Maybe some how someone should let them know we dont like them giving to other co0untries when our poor kids need it. Always said charity begins at home. If we stopped seeing theuir movies and buying their song they wouldnt have that money to give! [Lakota12]
Wel if the stores closed for a day they couldnt buy except on line. look how much the movie houses would loose if people didnt show up! Millions! boy I wish some would come my way lol I cant go to work as I am retired but I would like to to have my life style back. [Lakota12]
i think the world is too big .some people are wealth,and more people poor.many children are hungering ,nohealth insurance.maybe have some unfair .nut this is really life.Everyone must to face to face.If anybody haven't good life,that he can study harder and adamancy.Actually we must help each other. [Jessica_liao]
Not everyone can one afford to go to school, and not everyone has the learning capability to go to college. That shouldnt mean they have to live in poverty, or suffering. [melissaruth1]
You know, Servant Leadership has become one a very important part of my life so I would definitely have to agree with you. The focus needs to be on the 3rd world countries AND the homeland. All in all, very good point. [erock0102]
Thank you for recognizing that I am most definately not saying we should not be charitable to other countries, but to be just as charitable to our own. [melissaruth1]
coolYou must be there for you to understand the world politics,Do you know why the Germans pay Isreal some certain amount of money every year till today ? Well,if you don't know this,i will share a little bit about it.The Jews were not well treated by the Germans many years ago,i don't want to go into details, but it was just like that, and for those things that they had done,they had accepted their faults and they pay till today. Well, many third world Countries as well suffered from this same treatment,not withstanding the people behind those acts,slave trade for example! None of these Countries are been paid today for these ill treatments they did to them,instead they have some other indirect programs for these third world Countries,and part of it is what you had just talked about.There are sevral other programs, but the important ones are just the ones you talked about.glare [alpha7]
I think we as Americans have paid our debt to society for the part our ancestors had in slavery. I had no part in that, nor do I condone it. Our ancestors were wrong, when is the debt paid. Do we have to pay forever? I think that is unfair. I dont think the Germans of today, should continue to have to pay the Jewish people of today either. Horrible things were done to the Jewish people, that is true. Should we pay forever for the sins of our ancestors, I dont think so. As long as we continue to live in the past, how can healing ever occur. I am not saying forget, those horrible things, should never be forgotten, but heal and go on. [melissaruth1]
I know a lot of celebrities so I can answer this. They give to the USA too,through donations and taxes, but the reason they give to others too, is because we have it way better than them. Homeless people can go to a park and get drinkable water, others countries, have diseased water everywhere. We are a rich country, but the reality is, if the world suffers we will too. People keep coming here to make a better life, but if the whole world was a wonderful place to live we would have more freedom in our own countries, and be able to live else were. Way more choices for us. Many Americans can't find work in the USA, because a foreigner has the job. The world is our home not just this little land called USA that someone confined us too. We live on planet earth not planet USA. Remember that pollution travels too. So they continue to help the world. [belindabentley]
Yes, I am a celebrity psychic, I read for Dave Navarro, on his show www.maniaTV.com, I will be on Vh1 The Cho Show, Premieres August 21, 2008 11pm. It is Margaret Cho's new show, to name a few. [belindabentley]
Very good point! I completely agree. There are hundreds of thousands of poo people here who deserve to have health insurence for at least their children. There are so many homeless people too. I'm not saying give the homeless money because who knows how they got there but build more shelters to keep people off streets. There are so many needy people here that aer being overlooked. [samijo719]
Believe it or not there are a lot of homeless people who choose to be homeless. Why would they choose that because they dont want to conform to the rules and restrictions of everyday living. Many suffer from mental illness, caused by various reasons. We as a country choose to ignore them, or look the other way. If we dont acknowledge it than it isnt real. I do not agree with some of the posters who said the rich give back by paying their taxes. That is absurd. Anyone who has been in a welfare program, knows it isnt any fun thing, and is not easy to get enrolled. There are exceptions to that rule, but it is a general rule. I know these other countries are suffering, but from the politics and government that runs the show there. Our taxes pay millions and billions of dollars in aid to these countries every year, while our own people have their own suffering. Is these superstars money going to give these people clean water, no I dont think so. It goes to make them more famous, and the big administrative fees, not to the people. I do not in any way shape or form say that we should not be loving and kind to these countries, but I do condone being loving and kind to our own people just as much if not more. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. [melissaruth1]
P. Diddy ran a marathon to raise $2 million for children's education. The Food Network helps to donate money so children won't starve in our nation. You just aren't looking hard enough for the charity work Americans are giving to Americans. I'm sure many stars donate to both national and international organizations which is a smart and inspiring move to make. [emskoneko]
I am aware of the Food Networks work. I was not aware of the other. Maybe that is part of the problem. We just dont get the publicity in this country when stars do good things. Why is that. Wouldnt they want us to know they are doing such wonderful thins. Why dont we hear about it all over the place. [melissaruth1]
PS. Every night in LA and NY they have charity events for education, homeless, children so on. Millions of dollars are given that they dont have to givehere in the US. So... dont think they are not helping here. [belindabentley]
Then why isnt it smathered all over the tv, magazines and radio, like when they go to these other countries. Why dont we hear about the great things celebrities do in this country? [melissaruth1]
I can completly agree with you on this. We have people in our country struggling everyday, and these celebrities decide that 3rd world countries are more important. It's like a fad for celebs to adopt children from 3rd world countries. I mean look at all the children who are in our country that want to be adopted. It's true though about us making them superstars. With out us they wouldn't be that famous, and yet they can't make a contribution to those who got them to where they are now. It is disgusting. [tlb0822]
Yes I can assume the laws are difficult here, but they are there for a reason. I think the reasons for adopting outside this country are not as noble as you state. It gets them notoriety, free publicity, and all that happy jazz. I think you are giving them way too much credit. If they really wanted to love a child, and the need to parent, they would adopt here no matter how difficult. [melissaruth1]
I agree that we must help ourselves before we help others. However, there are programs such as Medicaid and Medicare here in America. I have a baby son who has Medicaid, and I had Medicaid when I was pregnant with him, and it paid for all of my hospital bills. Now I have my own health insurance through my job, but my son still has Medicaid. Maybe I have a slightly jaded viewpoint, because I lived in New Orleans for a while, and most of the homeless there chose to be homeless. In fact, the younger ones, the so-called "gutter punks," came from wealthy backgrounds and decided they wanted to "slum" it because they thought it was "cool." I am not saying that every homeless person chooses this, but even the homeless in our country can have a bed to sleep on and a hot meal every night if they follow the rules of the homeless shelters. Some countries don't have clean water for people who have their own homes, much less for the homeless. But, I do agree that we must fix our own problems before we can have any right to meddle in the affairs of others. But, hey, it's their money, and they earned it, so they have a right to spend it however they wish. Plus, Madonna lives in Great Britain now. [devylan]
Well, I certainly agree with you that Medicaid and other such programs can be complicated. I had both Medicaid and food stamps before, and--without fear of judgement because I know there will be plenty of people who judge me--I will admit that I had to bend the truth a bit to be able to qualify. I agree that the system is broken and needs help, but at the same time, it is much better than any third world country's non-existant system. But like I said, here in America you can pretty much decide what you want to do with your money, as long as you pay your taxes. And yes, without taxes, things would be a lot worse, but we could have a whole other discussion on taxes now, couldn't we? That is all. [devylan]
When I was in high school many years ago, I had a teacher that always said, "See your own country first". She was referring to traveling of course. I think if she was still here, she'd say "Help your own people first". [sherlock27]
Thank you, and your teacher was very wise in my opinion [melissaruth1]
I don't know, I do know that when I donate, it is for the US, not some foreign country. [Thoroughrob]
I am pretty sure that some (probably a lot) of celebrities are donating to worthy causes in the USA, we just don't hear about it much. Good news about celebrities never makes the same headlines that bad news about them does. I think it's great that they contribute to ANY organization that helps less fortunate people, whether it be to a 3rd world country, Canada, USA, or anywhere in the world. [Daphers]