It's a plea for our government to spend 1% of our budget of fighting world poverty. It's not something that will probably ever happen but at least it brings attention to the need.
UPDATE: It does seem it would be better if citizens, churches, synagogues, charities and private foundations could make the 1% commitment. As commentor Tom says, going into further debt as a country doesn't really seem reasonable.
Posted by Tim at May 16, 2004 10:43 PMI don't know if this is the best program, but it seems like this is the way we should all be thinking. Some spontaneous thoughts.
-Sacrifice has to be made to make this work. Will we be willing to put off a tax cut or delay a necessary Federal program? Running the national charge card up to pay for this seems foolish. Sacrifice for a good cause, though, is praiseworthy.
-After the Iraq war is ended, Americans will probably not want to use their military again too quickly. A peaceful program like this may be an alternative we can all agree on to help combat terrorism.
-I'm just a sometimes naive agnostic, but it seems religious tension in the world is at a peak. Christian organizations' and other religious involvement in a program like this seems a huge opportunity to bring assistance to the poor and suffering, and begin bringing the world's great religions together again. Obviously secular organizations will be important too.
-I'm always slightly suspicious of rock stars, so seeing Bono prominent here in this promotion kind of makes me hesitate (he's been involved in laudable programs, I know), but I suppose it's better than Christina Aguillera!
-Can we get high profile Dems and Reps to support ideas like this? Can we please get along on something?
