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From: mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: More Joy of Starvation - (nf)
Message-ID: <680@dciem.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 7-Feb-84 17:37:24 EST
Article-I.D.: dciem.680
Posted: Tue Feb  7 17:37:24 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Feb-84 19:00:14 EST
References: <5271@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: D.C.I.E.M., Toronto, Canada
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When somebody comes to me and says "You're better off than I am, so
you'll have to give up something so we can be as good as you are"
(that's not far from what Mr. Polli is saying), my response tends
to be both loud and offensive. If, on the other hand, someone comes
to me and says "You're better off than we are. Could you help us get
to be as well off as you are?" my response is to help them.

Unfortunately, the third world countries tend to take the first attitude.
They want those countries in the old and new worlds who have worked their
way up to a good standard of living to GIVE them that same standard
of living on a silver platter. In some cases, if it isn't given, it's
taken - or as much of it as is withen easy reach.

==============
I don't think you have it quite right.  The reason for helping the poor
(countries of people) isn't that they have a right to what you have, but
that by helping them, you BOTH have more than before.

If you look at the Brandt Commission report, you will see that the most
crucial thing for the economic health of the developed countries is the
improvement of the economic health of the Third World.  If we don't
augment our aid, in terms of food (for healthy brains in children and
adults), of capital (for development of appropriate industry), of
education (for future development), then WE are in for trouble. The trouble
won't come from them, but from the collapse of our own internal economies.

What we are talking about is enlightened selfishness versus unenlightened
selfishness, not about altruism or the idea that all are entitled to
an equal share.
-- 

Martin Taylor
{allegra,linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd,ubc-vision}!utzoo!dciem!mmt