Thanks, I guess...
I don't get our limited world view . So, because of misguided banks (bad lending principles) and consumers that can't practice delayed gratification (credit card debt), the economy is tanking a bit. What I don't understand is why this justifies the American people receiving $170 billion dollars over the next 2 months in rebates (I know, it's our tax money to start with)... not only does that put our country into a further spending deficit (and is so short sighted in how to fix an economy); but it is just a bad spend of money in the grand scheme of things (grand scheme being humanity, not just folks under our American flag)
Personally, instead of my wife and I each getting a $600 rebate check, why not end the world water shortage?
Did you know that the UN estimates that 25,000 people die EACH DAY (that's eight 9/11 tragedies every day) because they lack access to clean water. They also estimate that $52 billion/year would provide the infrastructure to provide clean water to these folks. (WHO&UNICEF; Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report).
thanks for the money back uncle sam.... it could have gone toward saving 25,000 folks a day for the next three years. Guess I'll go get an xBox to spur on the economy (that last sentence is sarcasm, just incase it's not clear).
Maybe we (anyone who is reading this) should start a non-profit fund for folks to give some/all of their rebate check to water relief organizations (ex. http://1000wells.com/).
Anyone want to join me in that?
posted by Keith W at 9:56 AM
12 Comments:
do i have a choice? :) love you honey. lets do it! change has to start somewhere.
10:40 PM
sounds like a great idea!
7:19 PM
Hey I am all for that. When Zach told me about the rebate..I was like...ummm and where are they getting the money from...Are they taking money out of healthcare, education, welfare, etc. But honestly I think taking that money and putting it to good use towards something like clean water or HIV Drugs for people who can't afford them in Ethiopia, would be putting that money to better use. Much better than giving it back to the government and letting them decide how to use it. So shell and I were talking about being real and challenging one another. If you guys do it I am all about giving my $600 if we receive the rebate. Let me know :) Thanks for making me think and challenging me! Debby
9:16 PM
Yup, I'm in. When do the checks come, and how do I give them?
Peace,
Justin
6:17 PM
Yeah OK
Which organization--water for people is good. 1000 wells is good.
8:05 PM
I'm thinking 1000 wells; great organization.
To date now; we have 5 families/folks committed at the $600 level; that's $3k; which is one well. Isn't that cool?
If we want; we could do one large check (direct it through my church, or each write separate checks and send them individually... I don't care; it's just humbling to think that there will be 5 families (hopefully more) that will exchange a piece of paper (a US check) for a well (a LIFE line) to a village in africa.
Keith
8:30 AM
oopps, it's now 6 folks/families; we're on well #2 now.
KW
8:35 AM
I am so excited to write this! Last night Zach told me he wanted to give his $600 towards buying the wells too! So count $1200 for the Skidmores. Let us know how you want the money. I am not sure when we are supposed to be getting it from the government. We could send it to you now though. Just let us know! Thanks for putting this thing together. Deb
2:03 PM
for all of you who have in this comment section said you "are in" for turning some/all of you rebate check into clean water for folks in Africa, please see my next post or go to www.barefootworld.org to see the logistics for the project. This might not change the world, but it is going to change the lives of thousands of people though!
Keith
7:18 PM
Hey Keith,
I love reading your blog. What you are doing with 1000 wells is terrific. I am actually the sponsor of a little girl in Colombia for about 6 months now through World Vision. A large part of my rebate will be going towards her and her community. I can't begin to tell you how much better it feels to give your money to children who really need it as opposed to buying silly things that we don't need. I agree with you, I don't understand our limited world view either.
Greg B.
12:49 AM
greg, wow, long time friend... what is your email address, would love to catch up (mine is keith4hunter -at- yahoo.com
3:36 PM
Hey Keith:
My e-mail address is snowstormgb--at--gmail.com
3:04 PM
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