Comments on THEY'RE THE STINGIEST, MOST SELF-INTERESTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

Go to Don't you just hate Americans? - Add a comment - Go to THEY'RE THE STINGIEST, MOST SELF-INTERESTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

Consider the example of a guy and his wife who live outside of Seattle - whose trust just may well eradicate mosquito borne diseases. We are really not bad people as a whole

posted by the-loanlady on June 7, 2005 at 2:43 PM | link to this | reply

Loanlady

Sorry. But I think your name's right now.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 2:05 PM | link to this | reply

Loadlady

Thank you for your long and interesting comment.

As you can see, my figures are based on the top developed countries' GDP.

I'm afraid I don't have information on gifts provided by companies and private individuals or the amount of time devoted by people to collecting for aid funds. Do you have sources/background details?

Of course, it could be that other countries give rather more on a per capita basis than America. I don't know - but that's not really my argument.

PS A couple of points: I notice you say hay penny. We do, too, but in our case it's ha' penny, a corruption of half-penny.

Am I right in assuming from your name that you're an expert on all things to do with loans?

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 2:04 PM | link to this | reply

katray

There's always the chance - albeit a slim one - that Tony will change George's mind. But somehow, I don't see it happening.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:50 PM | link to this | reply

Burly

No cousin deserves that, no matter how ungrateful! But I'll just keep nipping at your heels and hope for an improvement.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:45 PM | link to this | reply

Tarzana

You've lost me. He's too what?

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:40 PM | link to this | reply

Smartdog

I admire you loyalty to the US and your attempt to let it be seen in a better light. However, I prefer to stick to GDP, as Jimmy Carter did.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:38 PM | link to this | reply

John Howard said we have now totalled a billion in aid to Indonesia, hardly stingy of a number in my mind- the number does not include private aid from US corporations and US private aid groups the total number in is actual to nearly two billion. Billions is not a hay penny.

If you are only considering US direct government cash yes a larger percentage goes to Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan Jordan, Pakistan than Ethiopia or Kenya. Using  your example of Japan- that cash goes to political aid related causes and neighbors ( North Korea).

The US is the number one aid provider in total dollar amount world wide (private and government). Americans volunteer more time to aid programs than many other countries which you have offered exampled by Gross Product.  Find me an individual in Denmark Luxembourg or the Netherlands who donated more time and cash than myself  in 2004 and I'll send you five dollars.

ODA ( official development assistance) should not be a country's only source of financing.

posted by the-loanlady on June 7, 2005 at 12:11 PM | link to this | reply

Limey

So in looking back over the Falklands adventure and World War II, you really only owe us a spit in the eye. How ungrateful!

posted by Burly on June 7, 2005 at 9:29 AM | link to this | reply

For myself and countless other Americans, it's called

taxation without representation. Compared to what is spent on arms and blowing off arms and legs, the charity of the thieves in control is zilch in my opinion. Definitely not provided on my behalf, no thank you very much.

posted by katray4 on June 7, 2005 at 7:26 AM | link to this | reply

No, Limey ... I did not see that film.  That guy is way too blechy!  

posted by TARZANA on June 7, 2005 at 7:21 AM | link to this | reply

Limey,

Once again you've used exactly the wrong figures to frame your argument in an anti-American hue.

Only under the most feeble assumptions would one state that between $6 and $15 billion' is less than $9 and $15 billion. Let's look at your logic.

Smartdog gave between $10 and $100,000 to charity last year. Limey gave between $5 and $100,000. Therefore Smartdog gave more money to charity than Limey. Sound right/ I guess maybe to you it does.

OK. On to your other figures. You conveniently use percentage of GDP to make it look like America is being stingy. The fact is that most everyone else in the world is simply jealous because they don't have as much money as they perceive Americans have.

Let's say a person is receiving aid because they were a victim of the Tsunami last year. So here comes Denmark who sais, "We're so sorry that you had to endure such horrific natural disaster that we would like to help. In fact, we're going to give you 1.01% of our GDP (for this argument we'll use round figures and say that Denmarks GDP is $1,000). And we'll point out here that in terms of percentage, that's 10 times what America gives of their GDP.

Now here comes America. "We would like to help as well, but we can only afford to give you .1% of our GDP because we are too busy having to police the rest of the world and take care of our own problems. Here take this." It's $10,000!

That's right, America give nearly 10 times as much money to relief efforts that the country that Limey states is the most generous.

-have to go now

Ta ta

posted by smartdog_670 on June 7, 2005 at 7:10 AM | link to this | reply

Mike

This is about the aid you people asked you governnment to provide on your behalf.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:42 AM | link to this | reply

Lizzy

I am interested in you lot - if only because you cause the rest of us so much trouble!

I'll read you tonight, but I doubt I'll be getting off my arse to do so!

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:40 AM | link to this | reply

tiger

I promise to mend my ways: it is inexcusable of me.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:37 AM | link to this | reply

Mystic

I can understand your point of view. However, when it works well government aid can be very effective.
Your approach of giving up time to help others is highly commendable. I wish I was able to say I do the same, but I don't.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:34 AM | link to this | reply

Medusa

Thank you for the compliment. I''ll read your post this evening and reply.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:31 AM | link to this | reply

zen

I agree with much of viewpoint. The trouble is government to government horse trading gets in the way.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:29 AM | link to this | reply

sordid

I love your whiskers.

posted by Limey on June 7, 2005 at 1:26 AM | link to this | reply

Question

Limey, did this take into account private citizen's donations or was this just government donations? 

posted by mikea18 on June 6, 2005 at 7:23 PM | link to this | reply

Limey

Americans maybe self interested, but Limey old chap, you seem to be more interested in Americans than any American could ever dream to be. Now get your ass over to my site and click on it for making me click on you.

posted by Narek on June 6, 2005 at 7:05 PM | link to this | reply

I'm not sure why I bother

wasting a click on you since you never read me. However you don't think it's possible that your source is a propagandaist!!!!!

posted by tigerprincess on June 6, 2005 at 6:36 PM | link to this | reply

Limey - I don't give money to charity any more, only my time ...

you and I know durn well (Texas expression) that of the millions of dollars given by our government to "those in need," that corrupt politicians siphon from the top. With the exception of National Public Radio, if someone wants my help, they better ask for something other than money.

posted by fwmystic on June 6, 2005 at 5:23 PM | link to this | reply

I'm New on Blogit--Please Read Me!

Hi Limey:

     You're an angry guy, but you have a good command of the English language! Now can you please read my blog. I chose you first because you strike me as an intellectual. Thanks!

posted by MedusaNextDoor on June 6, 2005 at 5:21 PM | link to this | reply

Limey,

I understand your (and many other's) view on it, and again, I am torn. I am more for government encouragement of the people to help those within and beyond its borders who are less fortunate, and a lot of that does get done, a great deal in fact. I just believe more that governments, as bureaucratic power entities, tend more to fumble and flub, by their own nature, and thereby they stifle genuine aid.

I wholeheartedly agree that aid should be given when it can be, but I suppose it's just a matter of method for me.

posted by zenresistance on June 6, 2005 at 4:43 PM | link to this | reply

lol...Limey... you don't like my whisker's anymore?

posted by Kiddo75 on June 6, 2005 at 4:41 PM | link to this | reply

sordid

I'm not surprised: it goes with your nam!

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:36 PM | link to this | reply

I like the Whopper...

posted by Kiddo75 on June 6, 2005 at 4:29 PM | link to this | reply

Tarzana

Male Giglo? Did you see the film?

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:19 PM | link to this | reply

Wonder

The truth will out - but not at the cinema!

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:14 PM | link to this | reply

zen

Thanks for your comment. Getting government aid to the people who need it is always difficult, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:13 PM | link to this | reply

Hemlocker

You'll think I'm shooting myself in the foot, but on one level I agree with you.

During the Second World War individual Americans were extremely generous to British people. And it's not been forgotten.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:09 PM | link to this | reply

Limey, yes I do have an open mind...to things that are true LOL

posted by Ariala on June 6, 2005 at 4:08 PM | link to this | reply

Burly

I have this bill marked "US's unlawful invasion of Grenada - to costs and damages $5,000,000." Could you send it to the appropriate department? Thanks.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:07 PM | link to this | reply

Wonder - what the bleep, bleep, bleep,

bleep do you mean "closed mind?" You have a remarkably open mind, I'm sure.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 4:03 PM | link to this | reply

Burly

The UK is still paying through the nose for America's 'generous'wartime loan. I understand the final payment will be made, plus interest, on December 31, 2006.

It's odd really: Britain fought alone for two years keeping the Nazis off America's neck. But there was no charge, no interest - just thousands of British lives lost.

On the other hand, Lend-Lease was a business arrangement drawn up to strict American rules, even though her oldest ally had her back to the wall.

It speaks volumes.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 3:59 PM | link to this | reply

I'm torn on this one.

While I fully support altruism efforts around the world, I'm not sure about government-to-government aid. Charity comes from people, not from governments. In terms of individual giving, the United States has a tremendous track record, and so it's kind of shaky judging the people by the government. The government is, however, full of shit and has been for a long time.

I agree with your post, to an extent... sort of. It is a good one.

posted by zenresistance on June 6, 2005 at 3:56 PM | link to this | reply

generosity

The US certainly is not the most generous nation in the world--especially under administrations like the current one--but there are many generous Americans.  Most of them, ironically, have little to give--at least financially.   Hemlocker

posted by Hemlocker on June 6, 2005 at 1:25 PM | link to this | reply

Limey

While I was going through the old bill file, I found this other one, marked "Falklands account." Not sure what it is.. please advise.

posted by Burly on June 6, 2005 at 12:29 PM | link to this | reply

Limey

While I was going through the old bill file, I found this other one, marked "Falklands account." Not sure what it is.. please advise.

posted by Burly on June 6, 2005 at 12:29 PM | link to this | reply

Limey

There's this bill here, still unpaid, stamped "lend-lease" Not sure what it's all about but says send this stuff to Britain so they won't be wiped out by the Nazis. What should we do with it?

posted by Burly on June 6, 2005 at 12:26 PM | link to this | reply

Limey, you and I have always gotten along, except for your

 "closed-mindedness" on What the Bleep do We Facking Know?  

posted by Ariala on June 6, 2005 at 8:38 AM | link to this | reply

Wonder

I nearly forgot my manners: thank you very much - most kind.

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 8:37 AM | link to this | reply

Wonder

It's nice to see there's been a change of heart in some quarters! Power of the pen, perhaps?

posted by Limey on June 6, 2005 at 8:36 AM | link to this | reply

My pocket book remains open to help, Limey...on Blogit, it's called a

click and so here's yours.

posted by Ariala on June 6, 2005 at 7:35 AM | link to this | reply

If I'm a stingy person, then you must be some sort of a male gigolo.  Guess we didn't ever come to an agreement on that one.

posted by TARZANA on June 6, 2005 at 6:35 AM | link to this | reply

Limey

Great post... and never touch the stuff.

posted by Transcendental_Child on June 6, 2005 at 5:50 AM | link to this | reply