Make Poverty History!

So, I have been at home for the past 9 days recovering from tonsillectomy and have been watching a ton of news and reading a lot on the internet. I have been taken aback by the worldwide campaign known as "Make Poverty History" (Cdn Edition). It is really amazing. I completely agree with the goals and think it is an incredible cause.

Here's what the Cdn campaign wants in 14 words:

• More and Better Aid.
  
• Trade Justice.
• Cancel the Debt.
  
• End Child Poverty in Canada.

How can you not agree with that? I guess it must be hard since even the Harper Conservatives are pressuring the government to adopt the 0.7 of GDP pledge. Um...weren't they supposed to be the ones who were fiscally responsible? Now we have Martin and Goodale who don't stop talking about how they want to make the promise but they don't want to make it unless they know for sure that the money is there.

Well, I say that if there is a will there is a way. If it is important to the leaders of our government, and it should!, then they will find the money. Truthfully, the 0.7 pledge isn't the most important thing, rather fairer trade would do the most to alleviate poverty. However, Canada doesn't have as much influence as I would like on the other G-8 to make them drop their market-distorting subsidies. So, I will settle for the 0.7 pledge as a start. It is easily marketable to Canadians and people understand aid. The general public doesn't understand WTO negotiations.

On the worldwide effort, the US site One.org is pretty good. Also there are some AMAZING commercials worth viewing at Making Poverty History.org. Honestly they are amazing! They blew me away. Especially the Bono one.

Till next time,