Live 8 / Make Poverty History Campaign

For those who wish to get further involved in the Live 8 / Make Poverty History campaign this weekend please read the following text and instructions. If not, thanks for reading anyway :)

[thanks Alex - Wanganui, NZ]

To everyone involved with the upcoming Live Aid 8 events and the "Make Poverty History" campaign,

 

Once finished reading this email, I ask that you would please forward it on to as many people as you can that are involved in any way, shape or form, in either of these campaigns, as well as any other aid organistations.

 

I am a 16 year old, living in Wanganui, New Zealand, and am interested in getting all of the developed world to take part in overseas aid, in a step to lessen the many burdens faced by those living in poverty stricken countries. Around the world there are many very generous givers, who I greatly admire, but the truth is, we just aren't giving enough. The "Make Poverty History" campaign is aimed at this problem, and I am glad to see that pressure is being put on governments to increase their aid to overseas countries that are in great need. This is defiantly a step that needs to be taken by governments, as we all know how much these people really need our help.

 

The problem is that governments are faced with many more commitments closer to home, such as healthcare, education and public service. Because of this, they find it difficult to give substantial amounts to these countries in need, without making cutbacks in other areas, and this is often the main argument against giving large amounts of aid. I believe that governments should not be made to dip into these limited tax revenue funds, as it is true that commitments close to home restrict them from giving substantially . I propose a better alternative, which I would really like you guys to incorporate into your anti-poverty campaign, which would be an option to consider, for both governments and citizens alike.

 

I believe that the best way to get a unified commitment to world poverty from all people in all developed countries, is to get overseas aid implemented into their income tax systems, by adding at least an extra 0.5% to their current income tax rates. This money would go straight to overseas aid initiatives such as poverty and medical programmes. I feel that this would eliminate the problem of governments not being able to give substantial amounts of money, due to important commitments in their own countries. This is because the amount of tax being spent on things close to home would remain the same, and there would be no need for cutbacks. The only difference would be that out of every $2000 being earnt by citizens, $10 would be going straight to an Aid program, which I think could efficiently be run as a new department within the U.N.

 

$10 in $2000, now to us that's not much is it? However, to people in need it can make a world of difference, not just in saving lives, but in greatly improving the quality of lives. I think it would be very easy to convince the majority of people to support such an increase in income tax, and believe that referendums should be held worldwide, so that people can vote on such a change. All we need to do is to get developed countries to hold these referendums, and let the people decide. My main purpose in writing this letter, is to ask you all, will you please promote the idea of this tax increase as part of your campaigns, and do your best to get it implemented around the World? You have already convinced governments in the G8 conference to cancel debt 100% in many poor countries, and I believe there is nothing stopping you from convincing governments to take this step in giving choice straight to the people.

 

You have the power of the people behind you all the way, and this is the greatest power of all. Along with many other people around the World, I will be praying that you guys will influence huge change, in order to finally make poverty history.