Comments on: Mizero Children of Rwanda Bring Hope to a Continent on the Verge http://www.partisanfreepolitics.com/2007/11/mizero-children-of-rwanda-bring-hope-to-a-continent-on-the-verge/ Partisan Free Politics, a place to discuss the intersection of everyday life - policy - and the politics of possibility Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:40:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Greyson http://www.partisanfreepolitics.com/2007/11/mizero-children-of-rwanda-bring-hope-to-a-continent-on-the-verge/#comment-306 Greyson Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:45:34 +0000 http://www.partisanfreepolitics.com/2007/11/mizero-children-of-rwanda-bring-hope-to-a-continent-on-the-verge/#comment-306 The reason that the U.S. doesn't do more, and in fact probably shouldn't, is that the majority of our aid ends up, at best, being wasted, or, at worst, keeping the failing oppressive governments in power. Of course this doesn't mean we should give up on the continent, but we need to make more of an interpersonal connection than an intergovernmental one. We need to lower trade barriers so that African corn and sugar farmers can compete in our markets. We need to end the war on drugs, so that African farmers are not enticed into illicit activities. There are so many steps that can, and must, be taken right here at home... we must get our house in order before we can have a positive impact in the world. Fortunately, we've already sent Mike Auerbach over there, which should solve most every problem... at least the ones that Ben Marcy didn't solve already. The reason that the U.S. doesn’t do more, and in fact probably shouldn’t, is that the majority of our aid ends up, at best, being wasted, or, at worst, keeping the failing oppressive governments in power.

Of course this doesn’t mean we should give up on the continent, but we need to make more of an interpersonal connection than an intergovernmental one. We need to lower trade barriers so that African corn and sugar farmers can compete in our markets. We need to end the war on drugs, so that African farmers are not enticed into illicit activities. There are so many steps that can, and must, be taken right here at home… we must get our house in order before we can have a positive impact in the world. Fortunately, we’ve already sent Mike Auerbach over there, which should solve most every problem… at least the ones that Ben Marcy didn’t solve already.

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