BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:27 PM

"Due to the mess inherited from the Labour Government,"
Er no - due to the mess left behind by the corporate greed of British business, the traditional supporters and financeers of the Conservative Party, and aided and abetted by a Labour Government that is now indistinguishable from that self-same Conservative Party..... get it right boy!
The rest of the posting is the same old right wing garbage.....
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 08:25 AM

Maybe we could instead set aside an Emergency Fund, to help those countries in the throes of a crisis such as earthquake, flood or famine. The problem with some developing countries is that even Emergency Aid goes straight into the pockets of the corrupt, eg reselling bags of food for a profit. And I have strong suspicions that even some of the recognised Aid Agencies are paying their top executives enormous salaries.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 09:37 AM

Well said Miskin Man.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 08:12 AM

We should stop ALL foreign aid immediately. Then sit back and look at which charities actually use funds efficiently to aid the needy. Then, and only then, should we channel funds through those charities.
Sorry it seems such a simple answer it couldn't possibly work!

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 08:57 AM

so far as I understand it, the OP heading is somewhat inaccurate as there have been no "cuts" as such ie: the same amount of money is being spent in aid, but large economies such as China have been phased out (belatedly perhaps) as recipients in favour of other nations, particularly countries undergoing conflict.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Allan Conn
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 08:48 AM

"but I would query the relevance of aid to a country like China which is now one of the major manufacturing powers in the world."

I agree. Suggesting that Britain in a recession shouldn't be giving foreign aid to the 2nd largest economy on earth or to another massive economy that is spending billions on space travel and nuclear arms isn't the same as suggesting we shouldn't give foreign aid.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Arnie
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 06:51 AM

Yesterday the UK aid minister said that we must continue sending aid to India as it had more people in poverty than is sub-Saharan Africa. He pointed out that in some areas, women were giving birth on dirt floors in what were supposed to be maternity clinics and that some of our aid money went to alleviate this. The interviewer conveniently forgot to ask the minister why this is not then the responsibility of the Indian gov't which sees little wrong in financing a space programme costing almost £1 billion. There are also a large number of millionaires in India and I see that Rolls Royce are doing a roaring trade selling their latest models over there. Charity certainly does begin at home and I think it's about time that the great and the good of India realised this. I suspect that the Dept for Overseas Development don't want to pull out of India because they can still fly out there at taxpayers expense (usually business class) to attend the odd junket and dispense largesse rather than sit on their arses getting bored in Whitehall.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 06:32 AM

All to often, foreign aid involves taking money from poor people in rich countries, and giving it to rich people in poor countries.

We give aid to India, which has its own foreign aid programe, and a space programme we can not afford.
We give aud to China, economy second only to USA and a serious trade rival.

Having said that, foreign aid is right and necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:40 PM

'we are facing harsh cuts in public services to reduce the UK's record deficit in order to restore confidence in our economy and support the recovery.'

And there was me thinking we were doing cuts to fund bankers bonuses, The olympic games, The Royal Wedding, charitable status to public schools, a security service that tells us we are threatened by weapons o mass destruction and therefore we need to be at war, and police protection right wing arseholes who have nothing but contempt for the democracy our parents fought for.

Oh yes and a chance (much missed over the years of Labour rule) to shit on the poor created by Tory destruction of the manufacturing industry of England.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:24 PM

Aid is buying resources and cheap labour for the companies that control our governments. And funding war. And maybe the odd kickback into a foreign bank account? And...

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 02:44 PM

Well, it depends on wether you think you are giving aid to a country or to indvidual people who are in great need.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 11:03 AM

Are we really that selfish?

I think to answer that question you have to look at what the aid is to be used for, and whether aid is appropriate for the country. I don't know the answers to any of this - but I would query the relevance of aid to a country like China which is now one of the major manufacturing powers in the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Silas
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:02 AM

Can't believe what I am reading here. Are we really that selfish?

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: banjoman
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:58 AM

From what I have heard, the government is maintaining aid to countries where the threat of terrorism exists (Pakistan) on the grounds that aid will help curb the growth of same. I always thought that aid was meant to feed the poor and disadvantaged and not to further any political ideal.
Cut the crap politicians and look at our own house first. There are lots of poor and disadvantaged here as well

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:10 PM

`At long last our government has realised that charity begins at home.`

If it begins at home, it shouldn`t be called charity.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:04 PM

Sorry, didn't make clear in previous post that I meant foreign aid should be more clearly directed and monitored.   Not that it should be ceased.

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:56 PM

I agree with both above.
We should cease all overseas aid immediately.

I'm afraid the present definition of charity seems to be getting the ordinary people to volunteer to take over the jobs of qualified professionals for no salary.

Subject: RE: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:44 PM

Our government hasn't realised anything about charity, or even enlightened self-interest.

Kitty

Subject: BS: Britain To Cut Foreign Aid
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:38 PM

Due to the mess inherited from the Labour Government, we are facing harsh cuts in public services to reduce the UK's record deficit in order to restore confidence in our economy and support the recovery.

Under the plans, nations including Angola, Kosovo, Vietnam and Cambodia will no longer receive aid from Britain. Russia and China will also be stripped of millions of pounds a year. Sadly the Government did not go far enough concerning India, they are merely freezing funding for India - a country with its own space programme - at £280m for four years.

Failed politician Harriet Harman, said Labour did not oppose the aid changes.

To be honest, I wish they would cease all overseas aid completely. Why close down hospitals and schools in Britain in order to save money and then give it away to some country that can't manage it's own affairs ?

Do you ever notice, these so called third world countries seem to have well equipped armies with the latest hi tech equipment and an inherited attitude of "Let Britain feed our people" Sorry matey, the gravy train has pulled into the station.


At long last our government has realised that charity begins at home.