Passion For The Down-trodden!

It is always a worthy cause to help those who are going through a difficult time. For any number of reasons people can find themselves in circumstances where they can barely survive. It is right and good for us to share what we have with those in need. On the other hand, it is not right and good for me to steal from your pocket to give to the poor.

Government tends to play the part of Robin Hood. Through the system of tax-revenue and government spending, the government can come up with an unlimited number of programs designed to raise the poor person up to a higher standard of living. The end result of these programs is that the person is not only lifted up, but they are lifted up to a place of continued dependence on the government. That is why such poverty still exists in the U.S., even after many years and billions of dollars of effort.

As Obama dreams of putting on the Robin Hood suit, I hope he will be able to help this guy. Although not an American citizen, I'm sure he can sneak across the border someplace. He is 26 years old and lives in a two meter by three meter shack on the outskirts of Nairobi. Do you recognize him yet? Meet George Hussein Onyango Obama, brother of Barack Hussein; sons of a common Muslim father.

George Hussein Obama

djbtol



Elly's picture

I read today, that...........

this man is a half-brother, and has only met Barack twice. There's quite a family story it appears. Will be interesting to see what if anything is done for him, if Barack wins the presidency.

Elly

Adventures of an Australian English Teacher
About Housesitting

Actually, if Barack

would send him $20, it would more than double his annual income. Someplace it said he lives on about a dollar/month.

djbtol

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huttriver12's picture

Good points all...

give them a million dollars and they will probably give it all away and return to the cardboard box home. Sad, but human!

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The Kiwi Riverman

The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Jellen's picture

Better to teach

a man to fish, than to keep buying him a fish. Self respect plays, a part and the old sociological principle of "he will value it if it costs him something...the more he puts into it, the more he values it" is always the case.

But without opportunity, poverty will continue. Without health and freedom from addictive behaviors, poverty will continue. With self-centered behaviors, poverty will continue. We can fight to eradicate poverty, but somehow we will always have the poor.

Elly's picture

I guess that is the problem

some folk do not want to learn, or are unable to.

Elly

Adventures of an Australian English Teacher
About Housesitting

huttriver12's picture

That is a philosophical argument...

that is debated here in NZ. Full employment is what is needed because that increases the government's tax base. Get the people off welfare into a tax paying position.

My Qassia Link

The Kiwi Riverman

The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Elly's picture

Yes, but some choose to be homeless

and don't want to live in a house. Even if the job was "given" to them, they don't want to work. You will never please all of the homeless and the workless.

Elly

Adventures of an Australian English Teacher
About Housesitting

Elly's picture

What a story!

I remember when I was in the US how confronting it was to see so many poor/homeless people living in cardboard boxes under bridges etc.

And this fellow in Nairobi? Mmmm.

Elly

Adventures of an Australian English Teacher
About Housesitting