On Sat, 2 Jul 2005 23:24:30 -0400, "Debbie" >
wrote:

>Which is why this isnt' about raising money. The live 8 is about
>encouraging the richer countries to level the trading field, forgive debts,
>and assist in more meaningful ways.
>
>Debbie
When will Africa improve?

The US already does more than its' share.
$19 billion to Worldwide Developement Assistance, $ 3.2 billion to
Africa alone in 2004.
An increase to $2.4 billion in 2004 for global hiv/aids again a large
chunk going to Africa. That's more than all the other donor nations
combined.
$9.1 billion in humanitarian relief went out in 2004 alone.
We import $604 billion in trade from developing countries duty/tarif
free. 97% of the imports from Africa come in duty free. Trade with
Africa has increased by 37%.
In 99 Clinton directed that 100% of debt to us be written off from 83
countries many in Africa.
So far under Bush we have written off $40 billion in african debt.
That's several 100s of billion that never go into our economy to
improve things or pay for programs.
It's time for the other countries to step up and stop talking and do
something too.