This is one of those times where blogging my be therapeutic for me, allowing me to get out one of my frustrations. So, here goes…
Why is it that there are so many charitable organizations to aid in the relief of world hunger, world poverty, and world disease? In addition, we see so much of our government’s money being sent overseas as “aid” to other countries. What’s wrong with keeping that money here – in the USA – and using it here – in the USA – to combat poverty, hunger, disease, or whatever here – in the USA? I know that may sound a little selfish to some, but I'm just a little confused.
The United States is supposed to be soooo powerful – a “superpower” – yet we can’t even take care of our own citizens. What is that all about?
Is there really anything that we, as individuals, can do to improve these situations? We could, obviously, start right here in our own town, in our own state. Just see some of the interesting things I’ve read about over the last few days.
Doesn’t anyone realize that Cleveland, Ohio is considered the poorest city in our country? Cleveland also tops the list for having the most children living in poverty in the United States. The “poverty threshold” as stated by our government is $10,590 for one person, $13,540 for two people, or $21,027 for two adults and two children. Have you ever lived on that amount of money? When I was single, I tried to live on approximately $19,000 a year, while having a decent home and decent transportation. There were times when I lived on mac and cheese or PB&J for 3 days before payday because I didn’t have the money for anything else, and I was at nearly double the poverty level.
Then there is crime. I don’t understand how our government can spend billions of dollars overseas to “make the world safer” when they can’t even make our own country safe. In the top 20 most dangerous cities in the US, Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio are ranked 10th, 15th, 16th, and 19th respectively. No other state in the country had more cities on the “dangerous” list than Ohio. (On the bright side, Parma, Ohio was ranked 23 as the safest cities in the country.)
I just don’t understand, I guess.
7 comments:
Erica,
I love your blog and this post. I'm glad that you are thinking about the injustices in our country and the world.
I struggle with the same question that you have concerning how to fight these injustices.
I wish I had the answers....
I think that our understanding of the Kingdom of God plays a part in fighting the injustices in our world. If we see our brothers and sisters as our neighbors next door, the people who are living in poverty in Cleveland, and also the kids who are dying of aids in Africa.
I wish I had the answers...
If we, as Christ-followers, who do as the early church did, by taking care of those within our community - things would be different. Unfortunately, the church doesn't follow that example. So we are left with a world in a mess. And to complicate things even more, there are no national boundaries within the Kingdom of God.
I wish I had the answers...
Keep writing, I am enjoying the conversation.
Paul
Thanks, Paul. I have really been looking into these issues recently because I have finally become tired of being someone who helps from a distance. I watch a few people "give" by handing out money, and they think that they are "doing" the right thing. The problem is that they aren't really "doing" anything. (Not that charitable donations are a bad thing!) The example I gave my husband the other day was the time when my Mom "adopted" a family for Christmas, and she invited my sister and me to help with buying clothes, food, and gifts for the family. I simply handed her money. I used an excuse like, “Hey, I live over an hour away from you guys, so I can’t come over to help.” Although it may have been a valid reason at the time, it feels like an excuse now.
I guess what I mean is that I don’t want to be inactive anymore. I don’t want to tell people that we can make a difference; I want to show them. I’m just not quite sure how to get started, so I’m looking for others who feel the same way.
Hi Erika -
I like Paul's response to what you wrote, but I will admit, there were aspects of what you wrote that troubled me. Having spent a good amount of time overseas and having been in amongst the poverty that people in Africa, and so on are living in, I find it difficult to suggest that we stop sending funding to these countries in need. Personally I am NOT a patriotic person, and have a hard time with boundaries separating people, and making us believe that our territory deserves something that somewhere else doesn't, or that our language is better than someone else, or that a particular person doesn't belong where we live, etc. I see the trouble more a long the lines of, why are we putting so much money into rescuing animals, for example, when there are starving people next door, or across the world. I understand people love animals, and God created them, etc., but they are still just animals. (There's an animal resort on 224 and it just drives me crazy that this place even exists!!) When people are dying, it just doesn't make sense. But, I think it's unfair to suggest we stop giving money to countries who have none just because our country needs help too.
Hi, Angela.
I understand and appreciate your comments, too, but I think that I may not have been specific enough. First, I was talking mostly about our government - not individuals (many of whom donate time, money, and resources of their own) or other organizations. I just feel that our government sometimes throws its weight around (so to speak) to show off to others when they neglect those right here - those that elected them in the first place.
Second, I don't think that our country should completely stop sending money or aid. I just think that they should take part of the billions that they send overseas and spend some of it here. Of course, for all I know, they could already be spending it here, but if they are, they don't make a big deal of it like they do the money they send away.
I just think that if someone (be it an organization, individual or government) wanted to start making a difference, the logical place to start would be the closest point to that someone and then expand as resources allow.
Am I making any sense at all? I know what I want to say; I'm just not sure how to do it.
Hey again,
Thanks for clarifying. I must admit, I don't know enough about the ins and outs of the gov't to know what they give to withing this country. We do hear about the aid they send overseas, but I would be utterly shocked if while doing that they did nothing for this country. That would be something I don't think anyone would put up with.
I also want to comment on another thing you said in this last response...You said, "I just think that if someone (be it an organization, individual or government) wanted to start making a difference, the logical place to start would be the closest point to that someone and then expand as resources allow." Now, I do understand this comment, I think, but I disagree. I believe that God gives all different people all different passions for all different reasons. I, for example, am extremely passionate about overseas missions - particularly nations in AFrica and other developing nations. For me to stay right here where I am if I feel like God has called me to raise big money and head far away, would be me denying my passions and what I felt was my call. So, I would suggest that what's "logical" is not always what God is calling us to do. He asks us to "jump out of the boat" and follow Him - be that across the street or across the world.
Does that make sense?
Liking this!
Angela :)
First, I just have to say that I'm really not used to being able to discuss different opinions without people getting angry and/or defensive. I have to say, I was a little worried when you first commented on my original post, especially since I just recently met you and don't know you very well. I was afraid that I had made you agnry. See, I come from a background (as a roller skating instructor) where no one can get along. Everyone has to argue their point, and then it just gets messy. Thanks for continuing this discussion with me!
You said in your last post, "...I would be utterly shocked if while doing that they did nothing for this country." Wouldn't be the first time that the government shocked me! ;) Being powerful doesn’t always equal being smart! LOL (Remember, these comments are coming from a patriotic person!)
You also said, "I believe that God gives all different people all different passions for all different reasons." I totally agree. "I, for example, am extremely passionate about overseas missions...For me to stay right here where I am if I feel like God has called me...would be me denying my passions and what I felt was my call. So, I would suggest that what's 'logical' is not always what God is calling us to do." I know exactly what you are saying, and yes – it absolutely makes sense. But honestly, how many people in this world feel the way you do? I am finding that people have a tendency to do "charitable" things for their own motivations. At least, that's what I see happening around me (especially in my work environment). I used to be guilty of it myself. I used to do the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides walk every year, because I lost my best friend to CF. I wouldn’t say I was "called" to do it; I guess I did it to make myself feel better. Maybe, now that I look back, it could have been a "calling" of some kind. After all, I watched what my friend had to go through, and I just hate the thought of anyone having to live that way!
Thanks, again, for the continuing discussion.
E.
Erica & Ang,
I am loving your dialogue over these issues and I love the love that you are showing in your conversation.
It is amazing how productive conversations can be between Christians when we don't get defensive, but we open our hearts and listen to one another.
Thanks for being an example of that to our wonderful community at New Hope!
Peace,
Paul
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