NationStates Jolt Archive

Our government (UK) has pledged millions of pounds to help tsunami hit countries, fair enough, but where does all this "spare" money come from when apparently there isnt enough money to ensure pensioners can actually live on their pensions and hospitals have nurses to look after their patients?

It comes from the idea that self-sacrifice is the highest virtue of humanity.

It's all because Tony and his friends are all really nice guys. Also election soon.

It comes from the idea that self-sacrifice is the highest virtue of humanity.

Right, 'cause humans always show that in their everyday life. :rolleyes:


No, it comes from those programs that the government doesn't like. I'm sure the US government bled some of the money from social programs to give to the tsunami countries. The amazing 'extra' government money comes from programs that are already in place. There is no extra money, just pick your least favorit government program and take the money from it. In the US, its probably social security or medicare.

There is no extra money, just pick your least favorit government program and take the money from it. In the US, its probably social security or medicare.

No, just increase the budget defecit, no-one will notice a paltry 350 million extra.

Right, 'cause humans always show that in their everyday life. :rolleyes:

It wasn't support of the idea, nor a statement that humans always show that.

to be honest i was simply curious, i didnt really mean it to be some kind of accusation against the government which i think is what it sounds like. I thought i was missing something thats all. thanks for kinda clearing that up for me

It comes from the idea that self-sacrifice is the highest virtue of humanity.


this may sound a little coldhearted but i'd like to think that a government's own people were the priority

this may sound a little coldhearted but i'd like to think that a government's own people were the priority

Doesn't sound coldhearted to me at all. I don't agree with the idea of self-sacrifice being a virtue.

It is quite easy, print more money.. who cares where it comes from. As my motto clearly states, 'In twenty years it will be someone else's problem'. Every nation is contributing so the masses get that 'warm fuzzy' feeling they all need; the assurance that their government is doing the right thing.

self sacrifice is a virtue in my book, but not when you're sacrificing others and not yourself

Well, at least here in Canada we can hope it'll come off of next year's projected budget surplus, and not off of social programs.

Giving because you care is noble; giving because everyone else is doing it is another matter.

I guess it all boils down to what money is for. I think money is for spending. Disaster relief is a good way to spend money. I understand there are other, less spectacular ways to spend money, like pensions and nursing. Money should be spent on those things, too.

Where does the money come from? Well...I'd eliminate most of the annual budgets for unneccesary things like the military.

demilitarise powerful countries to make money, which may even show a good example to the world allowing others to do the same? That makes FAR too much sense

Our government (UK) has pledged millions of pounds to help tsunami hit countries, fair enough, but where does all this "spare" money come from when apparently there isnt enough money to ensure pensioners can actually live on their pensions and hospitals have nurses to look after their patients?
Isn't socialism fun?

The funny thing is that we are overlooking some important issues. Remember, XYZ nation is pledging to send 100 zillion dollars. Notice the emphasis on pledging. After all the red tape and political haggling, lets revisit these numbers and see what the real total is? Right now it strikes me funny to think this but it is a pissing match to see who donates the most. "Yeah, well my nation pledges 101 zillion dollars!" "Oh yeah, well screw you hippie, my nation will see your 101 zillion dollars and raise it 50 zillion!" They are on the betting round of a hand of tsunami poker. Oh yes, lets not forget, how much of the hundreds of zillions of dollars do you think the unfortunate family living out of a mud hut because their entire life was washed away will get??

Well, at least here in Canada we can hope it'll come off of next year's projected budget surplus, and not off of social programs.

Oh, Canada.

Don't worry, some jerkwad will come in with a post about how Canada's budget surplus doesn't mean anything because y'all are a socialist hippy haven propped up by U.S. industry and deficit in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

Canada's budget surplus means jack shit, you hippie socialist.

Interesting how we can find hundreds of millions of extra dollars, rubles, yen, sheep or whatever the hell a country uses as currency to help out those less fortunate in situations like these but on a normal day they cannot rub two rocks together to help their own populace.

You can throw all the money you want at this but they still cannot get the out the basic necessities like water to the people that need it the most. Why, red tape.

Interesting how we can find hundreds of millions of extra dollars, rubles, yen, sheep or whatever the hell a country uses as currency to help out those less fortunate in situations like these but on a normal day they cannot rub two rocks together to help their own populace.

my point exactly

Our government (UK) has pledged millions of pounds to help tsunami hit countries, fair enough, but where does all this "spare" money come from when apparently there isnt enough money to ensure pensioners can actually live on their pensions and hospitals have nurses to look after their patients?

No one cares about the hospitals and pensioners since the tsunami took all the attention.
AND the government has to look good or be criticized by 1,000,000 critics.

It comes from the idea that some people are worse of than us, and we can afford to sacrifice some comfort to allow them to live.

Also, we say do this and we'll give you £X pounds...not we're unconditionally giving you £X.

Yes, those poor individuals are in a sad plight and they need help.. but the empty pledges are not going to do it. It has turned into a pissing match over
who is giving the most money right now. What I find really annoying is the band of idiots that have nothing better to do than comment on who is or is not donating enough to the cause. Lest we forget that money grows on trees, if you need more then go print it. No one seems to care where it comes from or at whose expense. "Well, look at the Americans, they are so rich they are only donating so and so. We gave.." Oops, I forgot the trees again.

Pledges are inflated.

Take Bam, Iran:
Most of the city's 100,000 residents remain in temporary housing (in some cases, tents), and 20 million tons of rubble must still be cleared. Government officials report that of the $1.1 billion pledged in foreign aid, only $17.5 million has arrived, slowing the reconstruction of schools and hospitals.

That's a 6285% inflated pledge. Although a report said that 70% of the money needed for the tsunami has been given or on the way.

Oh, I forgot. US congress capped the deficit spending level at 8 trillion, up from the 7.5 trillion of last year.

This is why we should never give the power to set a deficit cap to the people that are doing the spending. When they need more, they just raise the deficit cap.