In The News

[Topazora]

And that's because you've shut yourself out to accepting socialist policies and instead equate socialism with totalitarianism and communism. An individualistic society is inherently selfish and unconscious of the problems in the world. And there's nothing to distinguish one citizen who's poor and needs healthcare to the other who's rich and needs healthcare. There's no "special snowflake" scenario that justifies cutting social spending.

US citizens do not know the know the differences between socialism and communism, they also can't articulate the difference between either of them and fascism (also due in part to our horrible US-centric education system that frames everything else in a negative lighting).

In the US media landscape (e.g. cable news, talk radio), there's a continual barrage of right-wing propaganda which, unfortunately and for far too long, has been quite effective in framing debate and defining terms. And since it takes far less effort to lap up such nonsense rather than to think critically, it gets traction.

The message, for quite a long time now is that "free market capitalism" is the only economic mode compatible with freedom (and we Americans love our "freedom"). And the only other option is something very similar to Stalinist Marxism.

We have been 'brainwashed' to believe that the word 'socialism' is inherently evil and horrible because it's not 'american'.

how are we going to get rid of selfishness with socialism or communism?  Its part of human nature to think about themselves, that's just part of us, you're not going to get rid of it by changing government, nor is the change in government going to make people any less selfless.  Charity can survive and flourish in a capitalistic society, and it has.  Socialism, capitalism... name your favorite form of a government, doesn't decide how generous a population is.  Generosity comes from the culture of that country.  If anything, forcing charity onto the populace is a lot more likely to cause resentment among the populace, as opposed to freewill charity.

[Gate]

And again you guys are missing my point! modern socialism does NOT equate to forcing everything and anything. You're right, dictating charity is not the way, and people are still terrible. Here's an excerpt from some of my studies.

Social Justice vs Charity :: The Arrogance of Charity

Not long ago, at Starthrower Foundation's home in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, we received visitors who
were new to us but not new to Haiti. They wanted to spend a few days with us, in order to get an
idea of the work we do with the youth in this area. Perhaps we could work together, they said.
And so, even with our limited resources, we accommodated them. Carmene cooked the entire
day, and Jack pumped water to fill the reservoirs before he went home at 4 p.m. Everything was
ready. I gave our guests a tour of our compound, including our well and generator, as well as the
reservoirs on the roof. After a great meal, drinks and conversation on the gallery, our visitors
showered and went to bed. We provided each of them with a comfortable bed with clean sheets,
an effective mosquito net and, as we had electricity this day, the benefit of a fan to cool them.
When I rose at 3 a.m., I found that all our water reservoirs were empty, and no one had bothered
to tell me. Perhaps our visitors thought the water reservoir could magically refill itself. Not
wanting to inconvenience our guests in the middle of the night, I phoned Jack to ask him to make
his way to work early to pump water for the guests to use when they woke. Then I began to
prepare breakfast for them.

Jack had not yet arrived when our visitors rose, so I offered each a wash basin filled with our
precious potable water, which we purchase in 5 gallon containers. Instead of understanding the
sacrifice represented by their being able to wash at all, and in potable water at that, one guest
testily said, "I'd rather have a shower!"

Such insensitive comments can stem from ignorance, especially when expressed by those who
have never witnessed abject poverty. In this case, such a comment by a person with experience in
Haiti and familiar with its challenges seemed more arrogance than ignorance. And the sad thing
is, this attitude is not uncommon. In the intervening months, others have visited and shown
similar disregard for the conditions we face: One wanted me to book diving trips; others have
called asking for help with transportation then failed to show up. And so it goes. I have reflected
on this callous attitude. Is it simple ignorance of the true absolute nature of poverty? Or could it
be a learned response?

Over the past decade, I have become immersed more deeply in the beauty, and in the misery, of
Haiti. And though this immersion has produced much personal suffering, it has also produced
great joys, and a unique perspective of the privileged world of those who have not only the
basics of life, but much, much more. And from my unique perspective, I think that there's been a
major shift in society's attitude towards the poor.

When I was growing up, I was taught that charity was a virtue equated with love. But these days,
that perspective of charity meaning love has changed. Now, 'charity' seems to assume that the
poor of this world can be 'fixed', that they can be 'saved' or 'rescued' if the rest of us would only
donate $30 a month to 'charity. We get to feel good, that we've done our part, that now the poor
will be fixed, and we get a tax receipt, too.

This idea of charity has assumed an arrogance that, I think, is not consciously intended. It is just
there, in actions, often in words. It comes not because we have great wealth but, because of an
accident of our birthplace and circumstances, we have access to education, jobs, housing and
social services. To those who live in absolute poverty, these things we simply claim as our
birthright are indeed great wealth.

Yet even the small bits of our wealth that we dole out in the name of charity are not freely given,
but have strings attached. Everything needs a tax receipt. Material 'stuff' is valued over keeping
people alive because, in our sheltered, privileged lives, we have not internalized the reality of the
poor of this world. The poor, including our young people here in Haiti, do not eat on a daily
basis. They have no water, potable or otherwise. They drag themselves to school (paid for by
others) even though they are ill -- with malaria, typhoid, a tumor -- because they understand that
education offers them the only possibility for change.

The arrogance of charity puts a priority on material things. Items such as used clothing,
computers etc are helpful but secondary. To situate them as priority is to miss the point. Think
for a moment: If you lose your job, for example, you would know what help you need to get
back on your feet. Perhaps you need transportation to get to a new job. How would you feel if,
instead of bus fare or gas money, some well-intentioned person gave you a sledgehammer? If
only you'd asked, you tell the donor. The hammer is very nice, but I can't ride it to work.
The humility of justice calls us not to do things FOR the poor of this world but rather do things
WITH them, in service, in community, in negotiation, in partnership. They know what they need.
We just have to ask and listen. 'Charity' maintains a distance; 'Justice' smells the stench, suffers
the heat, cries over each death, and cheers each small success.
More than intellectualizing the word 'justice', we need to live it. Reflection is a powerful conduit
which requires only the willingness to look within, and ask yourself, 'What am I doing and, most
importantly, WHY?'

We've changed, and not for the better. I challenge you to become a human being rather than a
human doing. To make justice a priority in our lives, we must consciously slow down and be
present, and think and reflect. Reflection can help us understand, and to let go of the instinct that
we deserve our privileged lives. The arrogance of charity says, "I come first. After my needs are
met, I will give you the leftovers, the things I do not need to make my life comfortable. Give me
my daily shower, a tax receipt for my donation, cover my expenses and then I will do.
These attitudes cripple rather than heal. Justice comes without strings. It gets down on its hands
and knees in service, negotiates with, listens to, and says that the needs of each person on this
planet are just as important as mine and yours. Justice challenges our comfort. We like our
lifestyles, our possessions, our activities.
A medical professional in Canada recently said to me, "Please do not tell me any more about
your work in Haiti. I think it is better if we do not know as it would make us too uncomfortable."
Self-care slides into self absorption, and the potential for justice is aborted.
It is humbling to realize that my needs are not the most important in this world. It is exhilarating
to realize my place in the big picture, and that my spirit has the potential to open to fullness not
possible within the current mindset we call charity.

What is your wealth? Is it community? Family? Connections? How are you employing it in the
service of life? What are the strings you attach? What would happen if you let them go?
Justice challenges us to place the same value for every life and to provide what is due without
expecting gratitude and a tax receipt. Stop and reflect on the last time you were not thanked for
your generosity. Let go of the need for someone's gratitude, and feed this hungry world.
And to the person who would shower when others are dying of thirst, I say, "Know that 12
percent of the planet uses 85 percent of the water. When you get home, you can shower all day
long, if you want."

[Topazora]

Ok, and this excerpt has to do with what?  I don't see how this person's view on social justice vs charity in regards to a 3rd country connects with the discussion of socialism vs capitalism.  How is modern socialism going to accomplish making people aware of the poor?  Should people, in the first world, downgrade their living standards so they know what it's like to be downtrodden?  And how will that help the people in the 3rd world?  What point are you trying to make?

[DoomRulz]

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

[Gate]

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

The "self-righteous whiner" is someone who lives in Haiti.

Ok, and this excerpt has to do with what?  I don't see how this person's view on social justice vs charity in regards to a 3rd country connects with the discussion of socialism vs capitalism.  How is modern socialism going to accomplish making people aware of the poor?  Should people, in the first world, downgrade their living standards so they know what it's like to be downtrodden?  And how will that help the people in the 3rd world?  What point are you trying to make?

The point being you would learn more empathy and understanding that the world doesn't run on Capitalism.

[whiterabbit]

In simplest terms, capitalism is concern with consumption where as socialism is more concerned about maintenance. When looked at that way, socialism looks like one of the inevitable outcomes of capitalism. The other being total collapse.

[DoomRulz]

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

The "self-righteous whiner" is someone who lives in Haiti.

OK, and?

[Hubbs]

LOL! They just say anything to please the (PC) majority.

[Gate]

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

The "self-righteous whiner" is someone who lives in Haiti.

OK, and?

OK, and that's very sad of you to say.

[DoomRulz]

How? Because I'm not choosing to give my life and everything I own to charity? You're a perfect example of the person I was describing earlier on.

[whiterabbit]

The thing is, charity is not what's needed. Working and supporting each other though rationality is. That's what everyone should strive for. We're too quick to blame and protect our stubborn pride. Whether rich of poor we are all human beings. Putting the supernatural over your neighbor was never meant to be taken literally. Invisible lines drawn on the surface of earth. Us against them. There is no point to it all. You can't even walk into a store without seeing everything engineered. From the placement of items on shelf's to what's inside of our meat but at the same time realized that organic is engineered too. By media, corps and even small farmers and individuals.To think of nothing about the processed foods. Even the color and packaging are engineered. The human race has serious problems yet no one wants to solve any of it because everyone has to contribute.

Why is this people? Giving never fixes anything. Believing the strong shall live and the weak shall die will never work. Thinking that's not my problem will never solve anything. Thinking that you work harder than the other guy or that one has to work harder to be better than the other guy? That line of thinking was never meant to be taking seriously. It's alright to strive to be the best but remember they're over 7 billion of us. Not everyone can be the best. We are one species and we should start acting like it. Everything everyone of us does affects many. We need to start showing some kindness to our fellow human beings. Enough of this division. Of course way too many perhaps heartily believe that nothing they do matters. Which I find sad because that means most of us can't make it if that is the case.

[Deathbearer]

All this idealism is nice and all, but hilariously unrealistic.

[whiterabbit]

All this idealism is nice and all, but hilariously unrealistic.

It's not idealism, it's rationality. It's what people are great at but just don't realize yet. We're always seeing and hear people yelling and bullshitting but most of the time when people sit down and talk reasoning happens.

[The PredBen]

Plenty of the world's richest people are rich because they inherited their wealth, not because they worked harder than everybody else. Likewise, there are plenty of people who work three jobs to death, and are still poor. It bothers me how in the United States at least (not sure about other places), being poor is seen as a moral or personal failing. And being rich is seen as the result of hard work. So often, that is not the case. Also, Capitalism is hardly "democratic", when utra-wealthy individuals and corporations buy out politicians, and bend them to their agendas. I can't speak for people from other places, but in the United States it really does seem that most corporations have power over the majority of the politicians in the country.

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

For the record, Bill Gates aside, the super wealthy tend to be among the least charitable and compassionate people on the planet. I agree that the Average Joe shouldn't be forced to donate their money to poor kids in some other country. But the country's elite should at the very least be helping the poor in their own nation, and often times they don't.

[DoomRulz]

I'm very sorry the people of Haiti live in such shitty conditions. Really, I am. People live in shitty conditions in Haiti, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Mumbai...the list goes on and on. That author is nothing more than a self-righteous whiner. I am well aware that people suffer in this world. But how exactly am I supposed to go about helping, other than donating via charity? And before you say, "Go volunteer with these organisations and work yourself", you have to remember the average simply can't do that. They have responsibilities and priorities of their own need they must tend to. That author is saying "f**k your priorities, the poor black kid in another country is starving so you need to stop what you're doing and help him instead". Sorry buddy. I'll help that poor kid when I know I am able to do so without it negatively affecting me.

For the record, Bill Gates aside, the super wealthy tend to be among the least charitable and compassionate people on the planet. I agree that the Average Joe shouldn't be forced to donate their money to poor kids in some other country. But the country's elite should at the very least be helping the poor in their own nation, and often times they don't.

Why? Because "muh feelings"?