United States to spend $40 billion to fight AIDS overseas. - New England Patriots Forums

***IcyPatriot*** · 07-27-2008, 03:41 PM

Well ... if Bush hasn't run up our debt enough ... he will sign a bill that will spend @ $40 billion when he is no longer POTUS...Interesting ...

Opinions?

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=17716

Quote:

The legislation also extends an implicit pledge that has little precedent in the history of U.S. foreign assistance: to continue purchasing lifesaving drugs for millions of individual people in developing countries for an indefinite period of time.

Foreign aid for health care has traditionally been used to put up buildings, buy equipment and train workers. Direct medical care of individuals was limited to one-time interventions such as vaccinations, emergency treatment after natural disasters, and curative treatments of limited duration for diseases such as tuberculosis or leprosy.

Bush's program is fundamentally different. So far, it has purchased vast quantities of anti-retroviral drugs and supported day-to-day medical care for more than 1.4 million people whose survival depends on continued treatment. "It is the first time I can think of where we have foreign aid treating a chronic disease," said Michael H. Merson, director of Duke University's Global Health Institute and a former head of the World Health Organization's AIDS office. "It's a challenge to take this on. I think the questions it raises are going to be important ones for the future."

***BelichickFan*** · 07-27-2008, 04:23 PM

We have such massive surplusses, we have to spend the money somewhere I suppose

Hey Bush and Congress . . . ***** YOU. Where's the middle finger emoticon when you need it ?

***BelichickFan*** · 07-27-2008, 04:30 PM

I'm to the point I might even vote for Obama if he promised the first thing he's do is sign a true balanced budget into law so that we can't spend a dime more than we take in. We have no money how can we be sending $5B a year overseas in just this one bill.

Again - WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

***IcyPatriot*** · 07-27-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Hey Bush and Congress . . . ***** YOU. Where's the middle finger emoticon when you need it ?

We would have a lot of bannings with that one ... friggin Bush

***Patters*** · 07-27-2008, 05:21 PM

Well, these countries will start breaking international agreements and producing the drugs themselves since they cannot afford to buy them from the pharmaceutical companies. Or, they will negotiate with France and other countries that produce equivalent drugs. Thus, by doing this, Bush protects the pharmaceutical industry and helps save the lives of millions of mothers. I would have thought the righties would at least have sympathy for the former.

***DarrylS*** · 07-27-2008, 05:38 PM

Some folks some where are getting their pockets lined, bunch of crooked bastards who also are politicians.. nothing else makes sense.

***Patters*** · 07-27-2008, 05:55 PM

Just out of curiosity, why is it so easy to ignore the fact that millions of people in Africa have AIDS and will die? While I can see arguing against aid, to do so without mentioning the victims of AIDS seems cowardly. There is a legitimate moral question here where the religious right and the left seem to stand largely together.

***BelichickFan*** · 07-27-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patters

Well, these countries will start breaking international agreements and producing the drugs themselves since they cannot afford to buy them from the pharmaceutical companies. Or, they will negotiate with France and other countries that produce equivalent drugs. Thus, by doing this, Bush protects the pharmaceutical industry and helps save the lives of millions of mothers. I would have thought the righties would at least have sympathy for the former.

Countries can break lots of agreements before I'll want to spend $40B. That's $133 per person (I think we have about 300M now, right ?). That's close to $600 from my family.

***BelichickFan*** · 07-27-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patters

Just out of curiosity, why is it so easy to ignore the fact that millions of people in Africa have AIDS and will die? While I can see arguing against aid, to do so without mentioning the victims of AIDS seems cowardly. There is a legitimate moral question here where the religious right and the left seem to stand largely together.

It's not for the government to make me support this. As I have said before the feds can set up a (non tax deductible) charity that you and all the other bleeding hearts can choose to support. Have at it. Spending money on the health of people in other countries simply should not be allowed.

MrBigglesWorth · 07-27-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patters

Just out of curiosity, why is it so easy to ignore the fact that millions of people in Africa have AIDS and will die? While I can see arguing against aid, to do so without mentioning the victims of AIDS seems cowardly. There is a legitimate moral question here where the religious right and the left seem to stand largely together.

Until Africa is stabalized(which I'm not sure it can be in the next century) as there are conflicts in Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Zimbabwee, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and even Chad. In the last decade there have been conflicts in Liberia and Rwanda and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of countries.

The atrocities committed against women and children are obscene.

I think the efforts(not necessarily a load of money) should be concentrated in development and stabalization of the continent and education.

There is a lack of education in Africa.

Quote:

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AlertNet) � Babalwa Tembani is proof that the myths surrounding AIDS can be as deadly as the epidemic itself. When she was 14, she was raped by an uncle who thought he could cure himself of the disease by having sex with a virgin.

The crime left Babalwa, now 21, HIV-positive and dependent on antiretroviral AIDS drugs to prolong her life.

The myth that sex with a virgin is a cure for HIV/AIDS is one of many that make the fight against an epidemic that has struck 40 million people worldwide -- nearly two-thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa -- even more difficult.

http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/rel...7036097535.htm

Aside from the humanitarian aid. The amount of money that is thrown around is crazy. One has to say the government has no intention of repaying the debt.