Mr Bush said "terrible want" still exists in Latin America Posted on 03/11/2007 7:38:16 PM PDT by NRA2BFree
Mr Bush said "terrible want" still exists in Latin America
US President George W Bush has unveiled a social aid programme to alleviate the plight of the region's poor, two days before a tour of Latin America.
Millions of dollars will be spent on education, housing and health care.
In a speech, Mr Bush described poverty in the region as "a scandal" that had caused some people to question the value of democracy.
The Bush administration has been criticised by opposition Democrats for neglecting Latin America.
Correspondents say Washington is adjusting to the election of increasing numbers of left-wing administrations in Latin America, including some that are openly critical of the US.
'Terrible want'
Speaking at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mr Bush vowed to boost aid to Latin America, saying "helping our neighbours build a better and productive life" was a US priority.
In an age of growing prosperity and abundance [the terrible want] is a scandal and it is a challenge
US President George W Bush
The region has "made great strides toward freedom and prosperity but despite the advances tens of millions in our hemisphere remain stuck in poverty," he said.
Despite the progress Mr Bush said "terrible want" still existed, adding that nearly one in four people in the region live on less than $2 a day.
"Many children never finish grade school, many mothers never see a doctor. In an age of growing prosperity and abundance, it's a scandal and it's a challenge," he said.
The president said the US initiatives include an additional $75m for Latin Americans to learn English in their countries or in the United States, $385m dollars for housing, and funding for medical assistance via military teams.
Mr Bush will start his trip in Brazil on Thursday. His week-long tour will also take in Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico.
Millions of dollars will be spent on education, housing and health care.
Why is it MY job to educate, house, and provide healthcare to the world?
These people all make me gag! They are so dam generous with MY money.
How many decades have we been giving hundreds of millions to Latin America?
Have we ever achieved anything?
Evidently not.
Maybe the problem is more basic than just lack of basic services. After all, they've got oil, gold, silver, plenty of food, plenty of other natural resources.
Maybe their countries are just badly run--military dictators, socialism, etc.
Sorry, we can't do anything about that. They'll have to fix that themselves.
Oh no, no, no. This aid--whatever of it actually filters down to those for whom it is intended--will have no discernable effect. The only way "aid" will do any good is if it is tied to economic and political reforms. Otherwise, these corrupt oligarchies will continue to generate poverty and hopelessness.
This just smells like vote-buying South of the Border. Or even worse, he is allowing himself to be rolled by the Chavez-orchestrated anti-yanqui riots. Nixon took it on the chin and kept smiling in '59 and so can Bush.
Too pi$$ed to post
I'm sorry to say I really am getting to the point I can't stand this guy. --A former Bushbot.
I have a lot of "wants" too - when is GW and the Gubmint gonna sponsor those wants too???
I'm hoping this is just a drop in the bucket compared to what we would benefit from this Latin America deal...
Nonetheless, It's getting harder and harder to keep defending Bush these days.
Oh aaauugh! Hasn't the man heard that charity begins at home, where good outsourced jobs need to be brought home? No foreign aid to S.A.!
I hear ya. -- A former Bushbot, too.
Most of it to end up in the deep pockets of the continent's dictators, of course. ....while the "plight of the region's poor" remains unchanged.
The Prez's eye remains steady on that "integration" ball -- Unwaivering focus.
Mr. President, please concentrate on being president of the U.S. of A., not of the entire world!
Oh they worry about us, they worry how many more dollars they can squeeze out of us so they can give it away to someone else.
Yet in one Latin American Country the leader calls him the devil. The protest saying Bush go home and all the terrible pictures this week in Latin America and the protest. Yet the hand is out for our money , yes people for our money our tax dollars. Let's see how many more people do we need to support while they call our country names. And than we got Edwards who just said Jesus would of've thought Americans are selfish. Last time I checked I don't live in a million dollar home, have a ranch etc etc. I am really sick of people saying Americans wont do the job, Americans are selfish, especially from rich people.
In this case I agree with giving away MY money up to point.
You boys had better realize that communism "lite" is establishing itself in Central and South America.
Ortega in Nicaruagua, Obridor came very very close to winning in Mexico and he is a Chavez disciple, almost half of South America is under Chavez's sway or at least under leftist governments.
Would the flow of people out of Mexico increase or decrease under communism "lite" in Mexico? What about Nicaraugua?
Would a communistic "lite" government fit with China's running of the Canal?
Think ahead fellas, I know it is hard but do try.
bttt
Giving away our dollars has earned us nothing but contempt from those on the dole.
End the welfare state and much of the hostility will cease.
Exactly!
I'm sorry to say I really am getting to the point I can't stand this guy. --A former Bushbot.
In the beginning I was a Bushbot, but it didn't take long to change my mind. I'm sick of him giving away all of our hard earned money to countries that hate us.
We can't afford to take care of our veterans but we can afford to educate our enemies. Something is terribly wrong in America!! We need to clean house in DC and start all over again, IMO.
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