From Brian Anderson
West Salem
Monroe High School, Class of 1995
To the editor:
Every four years, America gets to experience political turmoil. It is the time during the quadrennial period, where talking points seem to run rampant, and facts seem to disappear. As the Congressional powers that be start to haggle about the government budget for fiscal year 2017, I challenge them to set aside petty squabbles, and protect programs that support cost-effective, life-saving developmental solutions for poverty-related issues such as HIV/AIDS, nutrition, tuberculosis, energy and education.
Just over 8 years ago, I met a little boy in Ethiopia who changed my life. I knew nothing about Ethiopia other than the common stereotypes being portrayed. I didn't have the discomfort of worrying about where my next meal was coming from, nor whether my mother was going to make it home that evening after the long walk to the market where she would earn roughly 25 cents/day selling grain. I also didn't have to worry people getting sick and no medicine being available, watering holes drying up, or midnight birth complications where dung fires are the only source of light.
Fast forward to the present ... this is still the reality for millions of African people. I am firmly against handouts, since they typically do nothing but disrupt local economies, but as Americans, and the ingenuity we are known for, I think we can assist with providing a helping "hand-up" to those in need. Many ask why Africa and not here? My rebuttal is that we are blessed to live in a country where social programs exist to help those in need; for millions of African people, their only path leads to the graveyard.
History has shown us that for poverty-alleviation programs that cost less than 1 percent of the federal budget, the results have been quite remarkable. Poverty rates are decreasing, and millions are getting access to electricity, clean water and education for the first time. As a nation, I challenge us to assist with more than the 0.19 percent of our Gross National Income we are currently providing. The United States can do better.
I challenge everyone to think about the less fortunate, whether domestically or abroad, and turn those thoughts to actions. To quote Bono, "where you are born should not decide whether you live or whether you die."
Please stand with me to make sure that this doesn't become a political talking point.
West Salem
Monroe High School, Class of 1995
To the editor:
Every four years, America gets to experience political turmoil. It is the time during the quadrennial period, where talking points seem to run rampant, and facts seem to disappear. As the Congressional powers that be start to haggle about the government budget for fiscal year 2017, I challenge them to set aside petty squabbles, and protect programs that support cost-effective, life-saving developmental solutions for poverty-related issues such as HIV/AIDS, nutrition, tuberculosis, energy and education.
Just over 8 years ago, I met a little boy in Ethiopia who changed my life. I knew nothing about Ethiopia other than the common stereotypes being portrayed. I didn't have the discomfort of worrying about where my next meal was coming from, nor whether my mother was going to make it home that evening after the long walk to the market where she would earn roughly 25 cents/day selling grain. I also didn't have to worry people getting sick and no medicine being available, watering holes drying up, or midnight birth complications where dung fires are the only source of light.
Fast forward to the present ... this is still the reality for millions of African people. I am firmly against handouts, since they typically do nothing but disrupt local economies, but as Americans, and the ingenuity we are known for, I think we can assist with providing a helping "hand-up" to those in need. Many ask why Africa and not here? My rebuttal is that we are blessed to live in a country where social programs exist to help those in need; for millions of African people, their only path leads to the graveyard.
History has shown us that for poverty-alleviation programs that cost less than 1 percent of the federal budget, the results have been quite remarkable. Poverty rates are decreasing, and millions are getting access to electricity, clean water and education for the first time. As a nation, I challenge us to assist with more than the 0.19 percent of our Gross National Income we are currently providing. The United States can do better.
I challenge everyone to think about the less fortunate, whether domestically or abroad, and turn those thoughts to actions. To quote Bono, "where you are born should not decide whether you live or whether you die."
Please stand with me to make sure that this doesn't become a political talking point.
