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Originally Posted by MoonDog
Also, someone needs to explain to me why comparisons based on GDP or per capita are valid? Just because someone puts together a chart using those figures? While it is an interesting statistic that displays "potential" or "capacity" for giving, it does NOT demonstrate ACTUAL giving.
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If we are concentrating on stinginess then it is the capacity for giving which is more important than the actual amount given, but there is another factor to consider - the opportunity cost of giving (what the money would be worth to you if you hadn't given it away). If a big earner gives the same amount as a poor person then you may think he is stingy (or the other is generous). But if the big earner has debts to service, kids to feed and elderly parents to care for they might ligitimately feel that to give more than they did would be too costly.
I don't really care how much aid the US gives - it's the trade practices that should be changed if the world's poor are to get a decent chance in life.