The Moral Maze

[Ric.ror]

Last night a summary of the dilemma was should we still cut benefits and continue to give aid to other countries who are in effect richer than us. An example given was the aid given to India - where the government has just embarked on a space programme

[andy-hughes]

I am always in full agreement with supporting poor people in other countries - as i have said before, our fortune to be able to live here is an accident of birth, little more.

That is not the same as supporting corrupt regimes, or countries such as India which patently have resources they are not using for their poor people. the answer there must be to pursuade the indian government that starving people and a spac progrmme is a dichotomy that cannot be sustained.

Then perhaps we can examine the obscenity of welfare cuts here while we fight an unwinnable war in another country, and still consider updating nuclear weapons.

[boxtops]

I think it's a difficult one, particularly if promises were given to the other countries in times when we were perceived to have the money to do it. As my old Dad used to say - Charity Begins at Home - I'd rather we put our own house in order - but even the poorest here is better off that some people in the third world. IMHO.

[Ric.ror]

Yes it is really difficult - I think I will just contribute to Cancer Research from now on

[Tizzi24]

I am a firm believer in charity begins at home, so only support British charities.

[IrishHeart]

I find it impossible to support animal charities when children are starving to death - I think its 6 out of 10 black children go to bed hungry. I make exceptions for guide dogs and I am interested in finding out more about dogs that can smell out diseases - any links anyone?

[boxtops]

If you google, irishheart, there are a number of links, here are two http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5183290/
http://www.newscienti...cancer-detection.html

nothing in the last few years though, I don't know if there is anything more recent that I can't yet see

[IrishHeart]

I thought I say somewhere that there are now 15 dogs 'working' as detection dogs and that they (??) are hoping o raise money to train more