Comments on: Today’s Letter is “P” for Poverty

By: Skunkie

Skunkie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:53:53 +0000

Adriaan, I would just hope the next time a comment is warranted you leave out the personal attacks. Thanks for coming back and responding.

By: adriaan stander

adriaan stander — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:04:40 +0000

Sorry, didn’t mean to stay anonymous, as I have no intention of hiding what we need to address here. As you rightly stated we need to confront the needs and shortages of those around us, and only then can we propel a nation globally. I really enjoyed your article and only ever comment on those that touch me personally. So, in saying that what I did, I hope to not preach to the reformed, but only to state that our goals should surpass our expectations to allow us to reach greater success.

By: MegaNice9

MegaNice9 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:03:19 +0000

Hey @Anonymous,
It looks like you’ve been straightened out a bit by @PolyVector. Perhaps if you like the idea of teaching the impoverished to fend for themselves, then you will appreciate Polak’s book, Out of Poverty, which is about that very subject… and which @Skunkie wrote about in the article you just read… You DID read the article, right?

By: PolyVector

PolyVector — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:54:23 +0000

@Anonymous,
“It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” — or you can apparently just make an ass of yourself as long as it’s anonymous.
The article is about raising awareness, supporting local economies, and -specifically- mentions microlenders like Kiva.org.
Teaching someone to fish is all well and good, but loaning someone a rod helps too.

Perhaps your time would be best spent doing something positive.

By: Skunkie

Skunkie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:26:41 +0000

Well my Anonymous friend, I think you misread my little article, but very glad I riled you up enough to comment. Thanks for your view.

“Thus providing food, shelter, funds, etc. only encourages the “lesser fortunate” to sit back and wait to be provided for.”

I actually very much agree with this. Donations (while yes providing help and in some places are needed) are not the sole solution to eradicate poverty. People can make their own decisions and in order to get themselves out of poverty they need to address the most important issues to them and their families.

“but have you seen what happens to nations where their government takes the role of sole provider for the less fortunate”

While I have not witnessed this first hand, living a rather sheltered life in Southern California, I do know about the corruption that can happen when a government is left to disperse funds from donations, or is solely in charge of eradicating poverty. The money is spent mostly on bribes and other things most benefiting those in power or people close to them.

“Can you actually see how giving a fish provides for a day, but teaching to fish could provide for a life time. We need rather teach self preservation than dependence…”

I was actually hoping I made this point in my article. And yes I agree that teaching people how to say use equipment for farming is much more useful than to just toss tractors at them. But it still needs to keep in mind the resources of the region. You could teach some one how to fish, but if there is no lake or ocean, it might not be the most useful knowledge.

Thanks very much for the opportunity of discussion.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:15:06 +0000

Your ignorance is clearly unsurpassably staggering. Poverty can only be kept in check when an individual DECIDES to actually function as a profit making unit. Thus providing food, shelter, funds, etc. only encourages the “lesser fortunate” to sit back and wait to be provided for. This might sound cynical, and even down right nasty, but have you seen what happens to nations where their government takes the role of sole provider for the less fortunate? Have you seen what has happened to the UK with the state benefit paid to unemployed citizens? Can you actually see how giving a fish provides for a day, but teaching to fish could provide for a life time. We need rather teach self preservation than dependence…

By: Blog Action Day Follow Up « Lit Bit

Blog Action Day Follow Up « Lit Bit — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:40:59 +0000

[...] and discussed Out of Poverty in their posts as well. Make sure to check out Skunkie’s post “Today’s Letter is “P” for Poverty” over at Atomac.net and MegaNice9’s post “The Business Approach to Poverty” at [...]

By: parsnipper

parsnipper — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:58:04 +0000

Bringing the problems of poverty to the public’s attention is very important. Suggesting ways that we all can help to alleviate it is even better. Your suggestions can really help make a difference in people’s lives here and abroad. Thank you for raising awareness about this issue, and showing us how we can all participate.

By: eggplanteer

eggplanteer — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:36:12 +0000

The poor are not forgotten today! It is posts like yours that help us to face the glaring fact that 90% of humanity lives in poverty. Seeing the problem, recognizing it, is the first step in finding solutions. Thank you, Skunkie!

By: MegaNice9

MegaNice9 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:44:00 +0000

I don’t want to sounds negative, but I think there will always be scarcity of resources, as you say. That problem is going to get worse as years pass. No matter what we do to contribute to the cause, there will always be that one, underlying need to conserve resources, and to distribute them efficiently, so we had better focus on that as well as any other solutions we have up our sleeves.
Hey, good post, and thanks for the mention <3