NationStates Jolt Archive

I submitted this proposal a while ago a couple of times and it came close to quorum, so i'm goin to try again in a few days. I want your opinions on this:

Fighting disease in LEDCs
Category: Human Rights Strength: Strong

SADDENED THAT
-easily preventable diseases are killing millions of children and indeed adults in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries)
-HIV/AIDS has become endemic to many nations, especially in Africa

POSTULATING THAT
-The prevention and curing of disease would help to alleviate many of the other problems plaguing the developing world, such as instability, and high birth rates in an effort to "compensate" for infant mortality rates
-Human lives are more valuable than any individual, corporation or country's right to the money he, she or it has earned
-Improvement of conditions in poor countries will eventually benefit rich countries through increased safety from the spread of disease, increased stability, development of poor economies (and thus benefit to all by trade), reduced demands for short term aid and reduced numbers of refugees fleeing appalling conditions.

WORRIED THAT
-corruption in poor countries' governments means that aid given to these states is often wasted

This assembly hereby authorises the establishment of a World Health Organisation Programme to deal with third world disease with the following measures:
-recruitment of both volunteer and paid medical workers
-sending these workers into countries designated as being in need of the programmes help (the WHO would, every five years, identify poor countries in need of this type of aid to aim the programme at, and these decisions may be overturned by a majority vote from the general assembly if it feels that the WHO's decisions are not in-keeping with the spirit of this resolution)
-establishment by these workers of free clinics
-provision of transport so that some workers can travel around to those areas which cannot be provided for by the clinics
-provision and administering by these workers directly to the people in need of free medicines, vaccinations and other treatments
-the distribution of free contraceptives to combat the spread of STDs (and as a bonus reduce spiralling birth rates)
-establishment of safe sex and hygiene education programmes as long term preventatives
-provision of clean water supplies

This programme will be funded by a tax on nation's governments, included in the UN membership fees already paid by UN countries:
-the WHO will decide reasonable amounts to tax on a sliding scale based on GNP and GNP per capita, and if it is deemed sensible, extremely poor countries could be made exempt
-these amounts shall constitute minimums - larger donations will be voluntary - and charities, individuals and corporations can donate too (though the programme must not be seen to favour the products of any particular pharmaceutical companies - any corporation whose products are in use by the programme may not contribute money, rather they may only give medical supplies, equipment, or perhaps the rights to drug patents).
-countries benefitting from the programme may be exempt from the tax, as long as they put an agreed amount into their health services

BUMP Come on, I know there were lots of supporters last time

BUMP again

The Commonwealth of Billthecat is in fact a less economically developed country. Our economy is based on natural resources and agriculture. By the wording of this proposal, would the children of our nation be given free health care, courtesy of the industrial superpowers of the UN?

If so, then we will gladly support this proposal.

It depends on just how bad things are - this is primarily aimed at poor countries which are totally incapable of providing healthcare to a significant portion of its population. It would not set up a permanent, comprehensive national health service funded by rich countries (this would be so expensive that nobody would approve it), rather it would work more like Médecins sans Frontières, which I think sets up clinics etc., and travels round administering vaccines etc.

In one word: No.

In one word: No.

Why not? Can i assume you object to "robbing peter to pay paul" or is it something more specific with this proposal?

Is the proposal too long? Any suggestions on how to shorten it if this is indeed the problem?

That's my objection.

I am not responsible for the situations others may be in. Therefore, I am not responsible for getting them out of that situation. If I want to, that's my prerogative. But NO ONE has the right to force me to--especially at the expense of my individual rights.

:?: What are you bringing this up for?? So far, there are already FOUR established Resolutions about basic health care/AIDS care/hygiene/free distribution of medicines. In what way is this proposal any improvement on existing Resolutions? If so, trim off all the 'established' material and maybe we can see what is new and/or different with your proposal.

The Resolutions already passed (in case you didnt read them)

Keep The World Disease-Free!
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights Strength: Significant Proposed by: Fallopian Tube
Description: While the hygiene standards of the world has certainly improved in the last 100 years, there is more to be done. Every citizen in every land should have the right to: At least one toilet in their house; At least one washbasin in their house; At least one of either a bathtub or a shower; in order to comply with hygiene standards and prolong life expectancy. Furthermore, vaccinations should be made available to the public, although they don't have to be mandatory. Vaccinations against the big diseases such as: Malaria, typhoid, rubella, cholera, polio, et al. With the backing of the UN, we can give even our poorest inhabitants a nice, clean, healthy life.

Votes For: 16212

Votes Against: 3020

Implemented: Mon Apr 14 2003

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Required Basic Healthcare
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice Strength: Significant Proposed by: Austrivum
Description: WHEREAS this resolution will strengthen social justice among all members of the United Nations by requiring that all nations, current and future within the UN, have a basic healthcare plan to support and insure its citizens. Basic healthcare is not a luxury, but rather it is a moral imperative that should be incorporated into UN admissions and acceptance ratings/standards. The following resolution requires that all UN nations meet the below four-point plan of providing healthcare to its citizens through all outlets available within their government, as long as the methods of providing the four-point plan are met without violating international, national and/or local law. The four-point plan is as follows: 1) All families who are at or below the “poverty level” of US$5,005.50 per adult, and US$4,205.50 per child, must be covered by healthcare insurance, as long as one member of the family, age 22 or older, is employed. 2) All children, age 21 and younger, must be covered by healthcare insurance and be reimbursed up to at least 55%. 3) All seniors, age 67 and older, must be covered by healthcare and prescription drug insurance/coverage and be reimbursed up to at least 65% for healthcare matters, while up to at least 50% for required prescription dugs. 4) All people, ages 22 to 66, must be offered healthcare insurance and be reimbursed up to at least 30%. In addition, if the insured, in this category, has been employed for at least 240 days in the given year, they must be reimbursed by an additional 5%. (*Note: Monetary figures were shown in US$ as a general currency; it must be converted accordingly and appropriately based on conversion rates.) Though this is not a full strength plan, it is a necessary start, and a reasonable start, in order to be able to be achievable by all decent nations. Basic healthcare is a necessity, and the Democratic States of Austrivum encourage all nations to pass even larger, more inclusive healthcare packages within their own nation. The exceptions to this resolution include: 1) A UN nation classified as a “third world country,” by the UN, does not have to implement this resolution until its status is upgraded. 2) A UN nation determined to be “at war” by the UN, is exempted from continuing the program, but must have a backup program/plan. 3) A nation whose economic situation is detrimental may plea to the UN for a reduced strength “Required Basic Healthcare” resolution. However, should the UN at any time deem a UN nation’s economy stable enough to support the full strength resolution, it must be implemented under order from the UN. After this resolution’s passage, it must be instituted within three (3) months, otherwise face UN ejection, or plea one’s case for additional time, that cannot be in excess of an additional eighteen (18) months, to be granted only by and through the UN. ---The Democratic States of Austrivum

Votes For: 10137

Votes Against: 7154

Implemented: Thu Jun 5 2003

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Global AIDS Initiative
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice Strength: Strong Proposed by: New Clarkhall
Description: NOTING with horror the enormous increase in the past decade in HIV infection rates throughout the world, FURTHER NOTING that the cost of AIDS medications is enormous, FURTHER NOTING that most countries with significant populations of AIDS sufferers are not economically able to afford these necessary drugs due to their high costs, REQUIRES the following: 1) The United Nations begin a global effort to educate and enlighten the populations of seriously affected countries as to the nature of AIDS as well as how to take preventitive measures, 2) The HIV testing of national and international blood banks and pools be made mandatory in all member nations in order to cut down on the rate of transmission of this disease through transfusions, 3) The establishement of a fund, contributed to by all member nations, which shall be used to purchase necessary drugs and distrubute them at low cost to the populations of seriously afflicted countries, 4) Economic incentives such as tax write-offs be offered to multinational pharmaceutical companies to allow AIDS medications to be bought in bulk and at lower than market prices,

Votes For: 10250

Votes Against: 2005

Implemented: Sat Oct 18 2003

------

No Embargoes on Medicine
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights Strength: Significant Proposed by: Cherry Cola
Description: We assert that modern medicine can vastly improve quality of life, and is beneficial to all. Not having access to modern medicine and modern medical supplies can cause unnecessary suffering and death. Therefore we propose that in the course of war, no nation make embargoes restricting the sale of medicine or medical supplies. We also propose that any controlling authority, be it a government, a rebellion, or an occupying force, make no restrictions in times of war preventing doctors from entering the retion to treat the sick, wounded, and dying. Modern medicine is one of our societies modern accomplishments. We urge all nations to adopt this resolution to ensure that it is made freely accessable in times of war - times when it is needed most.

Votes For: 11405

Votes Against: 2757

Implemented: Fri Oct 24 2003

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Would not the less developed countries also be automatically taxed to support this?
Is so, it makes little sense.
Encourage NGOs to meet this need. Give them incentives; let private support get a tax credit instead of a mere deduction.

I'm going to quote a statistic that none of the fuzzy-thinking liberals want to hear.

In South Africa, the US tried to do what you are proposing. They tried to stop the spread of AIDs by giving away free condoms. They gave up when the AIDs rate started increasing.

When they quit, the South African government stepped in, launched a few programs, and the rate the AIDs spread went down to the point that South Africa is the heathiest country on the African continent.


The moral of the story? Handing out condoms doesn't do jack. Those programs they launched were education programs. And not handing out a few papers on street corners. Everyone over the age of 12 was required to attend a 1 month class on AIDs. And guess how AIDs stopped spreading? They stopped sleeping around. You see, condoms have a 1 in 4 chance of preventing AIDs from being transmitted.


You should do some research before you propose an issue.

You see, condoms have a 1 in 4 chance of preventing AIDs from being transmitted.


You should do some research before you propose an issue.

I have done research. They actually have a 95%ish rate of success when used exactly as directed on the pack, and in reality about 80-85%.

And this would do both things - educate and provide condoms

Would not the less developed countries also be automatically taxed to support this?
Is so, it makes little sense.
Encourage NGOs to meet this need. Give them incentives; let private support get a tax credit instead of a mere deduction.

The final section explains how the tax is based on a sliding scale, and poorer countries may be made exempt on a case-by-case basis.

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights Strength: Significant Proposed by: Fallopian Tube
Description: While the hygiene standards of the world has certainly improved in the last 100 years, there is more to be done. Every citizen in every land should have the right to: At least one toilet in their house; At least one washbasin in their house; At least one of either a bathtub or a shower; in order to comply with hygiene standards and prolong life expectancy. Furthermore, vaccinations should be made available to the public, although they don't have to be mandatory. Vaccinations against the big diseases such as: Malaria, typhoid, rubella, cholera, polio, et al. With the backing of the UN, we can give even our poorest inhabitants a nice, clean, healthy life.

First, let me say that this resolution is impossible to enforce, as there is no way that quite a few of the average poverty-stricken people in, say, Africa, are going to have the money or the water for those hygiene-related things.But even so, my resolution wouldn't touch upon that, except in hygiene education (but really that would be more related to how to get clean water etc.). As for the vaccinations, mine provides a method for this resolution to be carried out in poor countries that can't afford vaccines.



A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

..... The exceptions to this resolution include: 1) A UN nation classified as a “third world country,” by the UN, does not have to implement this resolution until its status is upgraded.

So my resolution would fill the gap left here by giving people in poor nations some kind of basic medical support.



A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice Strength: Strong Proposed by: New Clarkhall
Description: NOTING with horror the enormous increase in the past decade in HIV infection rates throughout the world, FURTHER NOTING that the cost of AIDS medications is enormous, FURTHER NOTING that most countries with significant populations of AIDS sufferers are not economically able to afford these necessary drugs due to their high costs, REQUIRES the following: 1) The United Nations begin a global effort to educate and enlighten the populations of seriously affected countries as to the nature of AIDS as well as how to take preventitive measures, 2) The HIV testing of national and international blood banks and pools be made mandatory in all member nations in order to cut down on the rate of transmission of this disease through transfusions, 3) The establishement of a fund, contributed to by all member nations, which shall be used to purchase necessary drugs and distrubute them at low cost to the populations of seriously afflicted countries, 4) Economic incentives such as tax write-offs be offered to multinational pharmaceutical companies to allow AIDS medications to be bought in bulk and at lower than market prices

Once again, this resolution provides a method of carrying this one out.



A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights Strength: Significant Proposed by: Cherry Cola
Description: We assert that modern medicine can vastly improve quality of life, and is beneficial to all. Not having access to modern medicine and modern medical supplies can cause unnecessary suffering and death. Therefore we propose that in the course of war, no nation make embargoes restricting the sale of medicine or medical supplies. We also propose that any controlling authority, be it a government, a rebellion, or an occupying force, make no restrictions in times of war preventing doctors from entering the retion to treat the sick, wounded, and dying. Modern medicine is one of our societies modern accomplishments. We urge all nations to adopt this resolution to ensure that it is made freely accessable in times of war - times when it is needed most.

This has absolutely nothing to do with my proposal, as mine doesn't even touch upon the issue of war.

So you see, my resolution mostly does totally new things, but also adds in ways to carry out resolutions which were perhaps previously uneneforcable. I will change the text of the proposal to note this.

Hence the revised text reads (changes in bold):

Fighting disease in LEDCs
Category: Human Rights Strength: Strong

SADDENED THAT
-easily preventable diseases are killing millions of children and indeed adults in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries)
-HIV/AIDS has become endemic to many nations, especially in Africa

POSTULATING THAT
-The prevention and curing of disease would help to alleviate many of the other problems plaguing the developing world, such as instability, and high birth rates in an effort to "compensate" for infant mortality rates
-Human lives are more valuable than any individual, corporation or country's right to the money he, she or it has earned
-Improvement of conditions in poor countries will eventually benefit rich countries through increased safety from the spread of disease, increased stability, development of poor economies (and thus benefit to all by trade), reduced demands for short term aid and reduced numbers of refugees fleeing appalling conditions.

WORRIED THAT
-corruption in poor countries' governments means that aid given to these states is often wasted

This assembly hereby authorises the establishment of a World Health Organisation Programme to deal with third world disease with the following measures:
-recruitment of both volunteer and paid medical workers
-sending these workers into countries designated as being in need of the programmes help (the WHO would, every five years, identify poor countries in need of this type of aid to aim the programme at, and these decisions may be overturned by a majority vote from the general assembly if it feels that the WHO's decisions are not in-keeping with the spirit of this resolution)
-establishment by these workers of free clinics
-provision of transport so that some workers can travel around to those areas which cannot be provided for by the clinics
-provision and administering by these workers (directly to the people in need) of free medicines, vaccinations (in order to fulfil the demands of the 'Keep The World Disease-Free' Resolution) and other treatments
-the distribution of free contraceptives to combat the spread of STDs (and as a bonus reduce spiralling birth rates)
-establishment of hygiene education programmes as long term preventatives
-carrying out the 'Global AIDS Initiative' Resolution through safe-sex education programmes and provision of suitable anti-retroviral drugs
-provision of clean water supplies

This programme will be funded by a tax on nation's governments, included in the UN membership fees already paid by UN countries:
-the WHO will decide reasonable amounts to tax on a sliding scale based on GNP and GNP per capita, and if it is deemed sensible, extremely poor countries could be made exempt
-these amounts shall constitute minimums - larger donations will be voluntary - and charities, individuals and corporations can donate too (though the programme must not be seen to favour the products of any particular pharmaceutical companies - any corporation whose products are in use by the programme may not contribute money, rather they may only give medical supplies, equipment, or perhaps the rights to drug patents).
-countries benefitting from the programme may be exempt from the tax, as long as they put an agreed amount into their health services

I submitted this proposal a while ago a couple of times and it came close to quorum, so i'm goin to try again in a few days. I want your opinions on this:

Fighting disease in LEDCs
Category: Human Rights Strength: Strong

SADDENED THAT
-easily preventable diseases are killing millions of children and indeed adults in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries)
-HIV/AIDS has become endemic to many nations, especially in Africa

POSTULATING THAT
-The prevention and curing of disease would help to alleviate many of the other problems plaguing the developing world, such as instability, and high birth rates in an effort to "compensate" for infant mortality rates
-Human lives are more valuable than any individual, corporation or country's right to the money he, she or it has earned
-Improvement of conditions in poor countries will eventually benefit rich countries through increased safety from the spread of disease, increased stability, development of poor economies (and thus benefit to all by trade), reduced demands for short term aid and reduced numbers of refugees fleeing appalling conditions.

WORRIED THAT
-corruption in poor countries' governments means that aid given to these states is often wasted

This assembly hereby authorises the establishment of a World Health Organisation Programme to deal with third world disease with the following measures:
-recruitment of both volunteer and paid medical workers
-sending these workers into countries designated as being in need of the programmes help (the WHO would, every five years, identify poor countries in need of this type of aid to aim the programme at, and these decisions may be overturned by a majority vote from the general assembly if it feels that the WHO's decisions are not in-keeping with the spirit of this resolution)
-establishment by these workers of free clinics
-provision of transport so that some workers can travel around to those areas which cannot be provided for by the clinics
-provision and administering by these workers directly to the people in need of free medicines, vaccinations and other treatments
-the distribution of free contraceptives to combat the spread of STDs (and as a bonus reduce spiralling birth rates)
-establishment of safe sex and hygiene education programmes as long term preventatives
-provision of clean water supplies

This programme will be funded by a tax on nation's governments, included in the UN membership fees already paid by UN countries:
-the WHO will decide reasonable amounts to tax on a sliding scale based on GNP and GNP per capita, and if it is deemed sensible, extremely poor countries could be made exempt
-these amounts shall constitute minimums - larger donations will be voluntary - and charities, individuals and corporations can donate too (though the programme must not be seen to favour the products of any particular pharmaceutical companies - any corporation whose products are in use by the programme may not contribute money, rather they may only give medical supplies, equipment, or perhaps the rights to drug patents).
-countries benefitting from the programme may be exempt from the tax, as long as they put an agreed amount into their health services

Ummm...yes that is what I wrote. Did you want to make a point about it?

this proposal is to long for me to read i say SHORTEN IT!

this proposal is to long for me to read i say SHORTEN IT!

But what can I cut out?

Since nobody seems to want to suggest any changes, I'm just going to submit the thing and see if anyone suggests anything then.