Why do we send millions of dollars to other countries when people are homeless in our own town?

While I would like to see more done for the truly underprivileged here we have to remember that there are many times their numbers around the world and many of them are in worse situations and have no help or hope. People are needlessly dying of malaria, a totally preventable disease, and starving to death. Our own homeless have better conditions than alot of people in the world. We can help both.

What you know about is the fanfare of the giving, what you don't know is almost all the money 'gifts' are really soft loans and the countries that recieve the 'gifts' usually spend a good portion of their GDP paying the interest from the loans, then when they've paid back the loans plus the interest like three times over they will have a big party and then America will say it has 'forgiven' the debts. So your country actually makes a lot of money giving it away, and looks good doing so. They wouldn't make quite so much from your homeless.

I'm not talking about Idol gives back, because it's something different, it involves a TV show, etc. I think you may have a point, but you should consider that if we wait for everything to be perfect in our own town chances are that we will never get to help others.

YES!!!!!!!!!!

This has always bothered me. Ever since I was a kid and first saw the "save the Children" stuff on TV I've thought what the h*ll are we doing? How can it cost only 3 cents a day to keep those kids alive, and they can't figure out how to keep our own children safe and nourished?

This flows over into my thoughts on war as well. Who are we to say what is the best kind of government when ours overlooks it's own citizens to reach out out to other countries (who don't even want our help)?

This is probably one of the reasons I have gone into social work as a career, and remained in this country working with families from my area. If you can't help your neighbor who can you really help?

Why try to eliminate HIV over seas...what about the people with HIV here? What about all the Americans who die from influenza every year? Sh*t! Don't get me started!

Because the USA is the most generous country on the planet. Some countries may hate us but when there is a disaster or some other need we are the first ones there to help. We even offer a helping hand to those who hate us. That's real charity.

OMG! This is a subject that ticks me off to no end! I often ask that myself!!! I can not agree with you more and Idol gives back ticked me off too. I was glad to see that they went to New Orleans BUT to help others in Africa...cmon...we have homless people and starving people in are own country. Charity begins at home!!!

the worst part about giving back to people in america is that this is the land of opportunity, illegals are constantly flooding in here because they know they can make money, so there shouldn't be people in america that really need the money, except certain victims (domestic violence, cancer patients, etc) so people would rather send their money to other people who knows does not have the same opportunities we have here.

I agree, I guess maybe we are trying to not pi$$ other countries off and want to make ourselves look good to everyone else. So we forget about the people here

because it is obvious you are capable of helping either scenarios. Look at it this way - you may allow your house to be a little untidy but would be VERY critical if someone elses is.

We are better off than just about any other country. It's better to give to others... isn't it? Maybe they just hope by doing that they aren't going to hell for putting people like Sonjaya (sp) on TV.

Brandon