Thursday, February 21, 2013

Warning!!! - Danger Will Robinson...We have Ranting TAM.



So, this morning I was flipping through the presets on the radio in my car, when I came across the local Christian radio station that was doing a campaign called Unabandon. The unabandon campaign was aimed at helping kids in third world countries with what they were calling a chance to learn, grow and thrive. At first I thought good for them, that is cool, but the more I thought about it, it made me really mad. Before you get all up in arms, I am all about helping kids and animals. 

My brain has a habit of going into overdrive, and neither my mouth nor my fingers can keep up. I am currently having this problem as I write the post. Why is it that US get so involved in helping people overseas that generally think Americans are stupid? Don’t we have enough issues here in America to keep us busy for a while? Especially, when there are kids in this country without adequate food, clothes and education. Are we saying that it is ok for them to be hungry, unclothed, and uneducated? But God forbid!!!, some kid in a grass hut somewhere is hungry, unclothed or uneducated? Don’t get me wrong I am not picking on groups that offer assistance overseas, but I am merely just working this out in my own head. I think those organizations are great, maybe I am just challenging what the motives are, or the thought process behind them. When I can flip on my TV, or walk down a street in my city and see situations that shouldn't exist in an industrialized nation.

When I was in college I was the student coordinator for an organization that built houses for underprivileged people. As student coordinator it was my responsibility to look through the applications and choose who we would interview. Then a group of my peers and our leadership would decide who got a new house the following summer. I saw some unbelievable things when we went to do home visits. Being a citified girl I could not believe some of the conditions these people lived in.  I saw firsthand the kinds of people out there, honest hardworking people that can’t catch a break, to those with screwed up priorities and screwed up lives.

It is my opinion that we need to take care of ourselves, our elderly and our kids, before we start looking globally.  Last I checked there are still people in my city without adequate shelter, and the soup kitchens are still full.

Some of you may be thinking WOOOOOW!!!! You are bitter, and maybe I am. My dad worked hard in a factory for a gazillion years and instilled a work ethic into my brother and I, and always taught us to take pride in jobs we do, and to help those who can't help themselves. If America fails as a country who will take care of us? Some people may even argue that American has failed already.

What do you think? Please leave a comment and share your opinion. I am interested to find out what you think.  Everyone has the right to an opinion, so please no flaming. If I see any inflammatory posts, they will be deleted.