Selfish America?? (March, how much, Miami, dollars)

[subsound]

I'm not trying to disagree, but at what point is it selfish (not going to extremes)? If Americans can't take care of themselves does it really help other people to give away everything? Many people in America are generous and giving, but they still get the label and greedy and selfish.

Not to defend people like ultra piggy execs, or kids on the spoiled sweet 16 shows, or those who spend all their money on junk...

I really don't think people are selfish as the media likes to push. If you can't take care of yourself then you can't do anything well for anyone else. If I didn't have any savings or retirement, when a problem happens or retirement hits I would have no money and be in the same boat. If I gave away most of my money not required to live, I don't see any benefit myself of long work hours, night classes, and little sleep...I'd rather work less and give less, it would be easier for me. A good balance of altruism and selfishness makes sure people don't neglect themselves and their fellow people.

Honestly if I gave $5 to every person on the street I see every day, I'd have wiped out my savings and retirement in a month. Many (I have seen the figure at least 50%) of the people on the street are out there because of drugs...I don't want to give money to people who made the wrong decisions, and keep doing so, when I made the sacrifice for the right ones. Some are out for mental illness, many refuse to take their meds and become a functioning member of society, I wouldn't give money there either. People who are there otherwise should get it, but I can't personally fund it...but I try and do my part.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by BABsMom

something could be put together to help bring these people a better life.

I agree with that, at least. I have ideas about how it could work, but it would take major changes in our social, economic and political structures.

After all, we are put on this earth to help one another and protect the things that are in harm's way.

That I do not agree with. I agree that it's a good thing to help other folks out, and my system would reward people the most who do help other folks out. But I do not agree that "we are put here" for any particular purpose. We determine our own purposes.

Why can't we downsize from our oversized homes and extravagant cars to something that actually fits the family so someone else can have a better chance??

My stance is more that we should be able to provide EVERYONE with homes, cars, etc.

My thoughts came after finding out about Starbucks teaming with project RED. At least they're doing something, but it could be more than 5 cents for every drink.

I really think our goals would not be realized under our current social, economic and political structures. I think we basically need to raze the system and rebuild it in another way (a way that I have a lot of ideas about). However, I also do not think that that's likely to happen anytime soon--it would probably require some kind of MAJOR disaster--natural, economic, something like that, for there to be an impetus for that kind of change. I agree that it's good to do what you can NOW. Unfortunately, for some of us, it's somewhat of a struggle just to stay afloat as it is--to retain shelter, to be able to keep buying food, etc. Maybe if I were single (or if my wife had different goals) I would do something like joining the Peace Corps at this point--as I could help others a bit AND be able to reach one of my primary goals--traveling around the world to various places (that are not necessarily typical tourist destinations). But I can't really do that and be married to my wife, as she wouldn't be happy with that. It's too bad I can't do something like that for, say, a few months at a time, then have a few months to be back home.

[BABsMom]

Thanks for the responses, it was really interesting to read them. Something I would like to say is that I just used Africa as an example, b/c that's what got me thinking about it again. I also agree, there are plenty of things to do here in our own country as well, especially in a recession, not to mention children with cancer or other diseases, abandoned children, people with mental and physical disabilities, and so much more I can't even think of right now. So take whichever one you want and substitute it for my Aids in Africa example. Thank you again for your comments, they were as I expected and more.

[JMadison]

I've worked my whole life, and worked hard, and I don't get to live at the level you are talking about. Repeated downsizings, outsourcings, etc. etc. etc. have kept that life from me.

Now you want me to export even *more* of the small amount I've gotten exchange for my life?

How about ranting to Africa's own leaders to clean up their act first?

What was this, just some rant to make yourself feel better? Like, "Look at me I'm all concerned with Africa".

Geez, go hang out with Bono.

Or hey, how about this! Go over to Africa and show them how to do things. Good luck.

Just look at the situation in Nigeria. Oil! A most profitable resource. And they can't even figure out how to stop fighting long enough to do something with it, that is when they aren't trying to conjur up internet scams. Or their bretheren over in Somalia aren't fighting each other or pirating.

Geez, people talk about the plight of the blacks and the WWII holocaust like they are the be all end all of suffering.

Everyone seems to forget that 35 million Ukraines (3x the jewish holocaust victims) and 80 million asians had genocide committed on them by the communists. By some accounts communism was a jewish perpetrated event. If that's true, then the largest genocides where committed at the command of those who scream about it the most. (No disrespect for the jewish folks intended here who lived/died through it though.)

Same for slavery. There's all this talk about American slavery in the American south. Yet slavery is *still* occuring in Africa at least in the chocolate trade.

Yet I *never* hear African-Americans screaming "We're going over there and freeing the slaves in the cocoa fields".

[cablejockey]

I dont think greed is something any one nation can be blamed for. It is a natural albeit negative human trait. We all want to ensure our own comfort and survival first--its part of our dna. Even those in the most downtrodden places are looking out for themselves first although on a scale of much less. Once our needs are met, then we look around at how others are doing, and then try to help. If we are shown how badly others are doing, most of us feel empathy and want to help.

[Tricky D]

Originally Posted by BABsMom

My thoughts came after finding out about Starbucks teaming with project RED. At least they're doing something, but it could be more than 5 cents for every drink. Not everyone is going to buy one, and the amount of profit they make on each drink is already high, it wouldn't kill them to donate more of the profit!

My guess is that Americans are afraid of being seen as 'socialists'.
In capitalist countries greed and the individual are seen as necessary while this definitely is not the case.
A mother wishing that her children will do better in life than herself is being anything but greedy and / or selfish and to most poor people this is their life’s goal.
Another problem with greed and individualism is that in the end it can only be short-term thinking; what might be good for the individual might be bad for society.

[old_cold]

Disassociation
The further we go into the idea that "the government ought to" the easier it is to expect the government is the entity that will take care of everything.
Actually , with domestic as well as foreign aid programs, isn't it reasonable to feel 'we' care and are already giving a lot?

Whether or not all that aid does what it's supposed to or gets to where it's earmarked , is a different discussion.

[scorpy01]

Originally Posted by old_cold

Disassociation
The further we go into the idea that "the government ought to" the easier it is to expect the government is the entity that will take care of everything.
Actually , with domestic as well as foreign aid programs, isn't it reasonable to feel 'we' care and are already giving a lot?

Whether or not all that aid does what it's supposed to or gets to where it's earmarked , is a different discussion.

I want to kiss you for saying that!

The more the government takes "our" money and doles it out as it sees fit, the less likely we are to want to give to others. When the government gets out of the charity business (and the redistribution of wealth!) the more likely we'll all be to get back to individual generosity.

[Greatday]

I have worked very hard during my life - I have also provided good employment opportunities for others. We have helped others in various ways.

I work with the at risk population a lot.

Am I "selfish" because I was able to provide a very comfortable life and lifestyle for my family and myself? Am I "selfish" because we were able to build a large home to meet our lifestyle?

I don't think so.

No, I KNOW I am not being selfish

[coolnana5]

Originally Posted by BABsMom

Okay, this is mainly a rant, I'd like to hear opinions on it if you'd like to leave one.

What is the deal with everyone in America being so materialistic and selfish? I understand that this is a first world country and that's basically the way we live. Don't get me wrong, I love my possessions and like to have awesome stuff. But what about everyone else in the world??? America isn't the only first world country and we're going through a recession, and not just us. But while we're worrying about keeping our $250,000 homes and $30,000 vehicles, we still have people starving in other places, even our own country.

Look at the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Little children being orphaned because their parents have AIDS/HIV, and don't know it or can't treat it because there isn't adequate medical care. Children starving because there isn't enough food or good drinking water to keep them nourished and healthy. Their homes and how they are worse than even our worst places to live here. If everyone just stopped thinking about themselves and their stuff, something could be put together to help bring these people a better life. After all, we are put on this earth to help one another and protect the things that are in harm's way. Why can't we downsize from our oversized homes and extravagant cars to something that actually fits the family so someone else can have a better chance??

My thoughts came after finding out about Starbucks teaming with project RED. At least they're doing something, but it could be more than 5 cents for every drink. Not everyone is going to buy one, and the amount of profit they make on each drink is already high, it wouldn't kill them to donate more of the profit! It just seems to me that a lot of people are out for themselves and if they have the extra, at least they are doing something.

To those of you who extend a hand and open your heart to those who need it, God Bless You. I've seen too many hurt and needy people to count and all they needed was someone like you to help them get on their feet. Again, this was just a rant, I feel a little better, although I am no closer to the goal of fixing the problems in the world. There's too many problems and I can't choose just one to try at, it seems wrong not to be able to do it all. Thanks for reading!

Most americans i know give lots.. they give money to their favorite charities, they donate their time, if they have no money, to homeless shelters etc. They donate their goods to purple heart, salvation army etc. their is a site called freecycle.com where you can give anything away.. it works well.. Americans are generous.. and the american dream is homeownership..We should be able to own our own homes and expensive cars if we can afford it.. The united States used to be one of the wealthiest in the world.. not any more.. Our government has doubled in the last 20 years and we, "the average citizen" can't seem to stop our government into taking expensive salaries and huge benefits, health care, chaufeurs, jets, nice suv's, clothes, meals all taxpayers expense..