unbelieveable situation in baq

benign.indifference says on Nov 20, 2008, 09:29:

People are basically the same everywhere: some good, some bad, some selfish, some altruistic. I think you could certainly find analogous situations in the United States. That fact detracts nothing from the nobleness of Maria's actions...

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 20, 2008, 09:33:

Maybe I shouldn't be, but I'm surprised to hear about a polio case in Colombia afflicting someone born in 1995.

As for those of moderate or less than moderate means helping others, I think it happens everywhere. As a percent of income "everyday people" often contribute a greater share to charitable causes than those who are far more fortunate. Exhibit A is Joe Biden... I think I read that he contributes less than 2% of his income to charity. That's pathetic for a guy with a well-paying job, job security and gilded pension and health care plans for the rest of his life.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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AlaOrde says on Nov 20, 2008, 10:05:

Of course this would happen in the United States. Why not ask the question about another country. Also noteably Mother Theresa..........

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Mononoke28 says on Nov 20, 2008, 10:36:

Would this happen in the USA?

Absolutely, it happens everyday. Sure there are plenty of stuck up, spoiled people who don't realize how good they have it. But there are also a lot of people who feel the need to help others less fortunate. It's part of being human, no matter where you live.

Diana

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august says on Nov 20, 2008, 11:43:

Oh yeah man, I don't know about direct service provision, but Americans - across income levels - are much more inclined to donate to charity than are populations in other "Western" countries. For a breakdown of charitable giving across income levels in the US see:

http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/Research/Giving%20focused%20on%20mee...

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miamimike says on Nov 20, 2008, 14:28:

It just makes you wonder. Previously I had felt sorry for Maria because or her limited circumstances, but rather than worry about her own situation, she is helping the even less fortunate. Would this happen in the USA?
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It happens a lot here in the USA. We see pleas on local TV here in Miami for exactly the same thing, people who have NO HEALTH INSURANCE(500,000 floridians alone) ask for Wheelchairs, Carpenters to enlarge doorways, make Ramps for Wheelchair access, free operations ect. US Military Veterans here in Miami live under the Interstate 95 freeway bridges and endure the same conditions. So the answer to your Question is an Emphatic YES!

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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el_canuck says on Nov 20, 2008, 15:11:

Of course it would happen in the US. Didn't you hear about the Goldman Sachs executives foregoing their annual bonuses?

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wcarmack says on Nov 21, 2008, 06:42:

"Exhibit A is Joe Biden... I think I read that he contributes less than 2% of his income to charity. That's pathetic for a guy with a well-paying job, job security and gilded pension and health care plans for the rest of his life."

Why mention Joe Biden? Why not some Republican scumbag? I believe Biden has less assets than anyone else in the Senate. What percentage of YOUR income do you give to charity?

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mariacvetanoski says on Nov 21, 2008, 07:09:

what ever happened to Maria's mother? Did she come back from Spain??

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 21, 2008, 07:50:

Joe Biden was mentioned because he was the subject of several recent news stories that I remembered:

"Biden gave average of $369 to charity a year
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-12-biden-fi...

If you want to research it, I have no doubt you'll find skinflints of all political persuasions, but that doesn't change the fact that the Biden family's record of donations (0.1% to 0.3% of income over one decade) is pathetic.

I'm not running for public office, but like many Americans, I give thousands more than the Bidens each year and I make less money than they do.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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La_Huella says on Nov 21, 2008, 11:18:

Polio still exists in parts of Colombia, definitely on the coast. I've seen a few obvious polio victims limping around here.

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phillyguy says on Nov 21, 2008, 11:39:

Maria - No. Maria's mother is still in Spain. In fact, Maria has 2 brothers she has never met. Her mother sends back dinero, when she can, but it is not certain.

Others - Clearly, I recognize that the less fortunate in the USA give to the even less fortunate. But there are degrees. Most of the people in the USA who live on the level of Maria's family (and there can't be many), would be receiving some sort of assistance themselves. It just seemed strange to me that someone who had so little would give to those who had even less.

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La_Huella says on Nov 21, 2008, 11:47:

OTOH their Colombian counterparts have WAY easier access to medical care than they would in the US.

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sanandressi says on Nov 23, 2008, 11:08:

Funny, I don't see street kids here in the United States and there is always money for beer and lottery tickets and fancy new stadiums for professional sports teams. Lots of money for Colombia's military too.....(I am beginning to sound like a leftist liberal! LOL)

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