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curing poverty would be so easy if it were a focus in the world today. the world has more than enough resources for the whole world to live comfortably, they merely need to be distributed differently. a lot of this action must come from governments of developed countries, especially the u.s. because of its vast amount of power. although the majority of the poor live hundreds or thousands of miles away, there are many things that you can do to help combat poverty.
education
Cultivating an awareness of how the poor can improve their lives is one of the most important ways to overcome poverty. Knoweldege is the key to success in motivating people and providing them with work.
Educating the rich is also vitaly important, because they are the ones with the power to make the difference.
empowerment
monetarily empowering the poor through tax, credit, and land reforms will combat poverty. often times, money=opportunity. although democratic governments will not be successful for all countries immediately, governments need to be working in that direction in order to enable the poor to have some say in the government. capitalist countries that have government intervention that protects the poor is key. so is making international trade more fair through less trade barriers for poor nations.
action
Religious congregations give seven billion/year (1/7 of their total revenue) to people in need. However, those in need require not only charity but justice too, the latter often achieved only by way of the government. The government also has many more resources to share with its people. The government will not share with others, however, until people voice the fact that they are in solidarity with the poor.
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You personally can take a great part in combating poverty by educating yourself about world poverty, and also about how the United States is spending its money. Research some organizations found on the links page and give them your time or money, if possible. Also, speak out! Join an email group such as Oxfam or MoveOn, which educates people about issues and gives them opportunities to send emails to Congressmen, the President, and CEOs of corporations. Most of the times these emails are already prewritten, you just edit and sign them! It only takes seconds and makes a huge difference. If you are unable to join one of these groups but would like to know of opportunities to send these emails, email the webmaster. I will forward the information to you each time an issue rises.
An attitude change is the first step in making a difference. Almost all Americans would benefit from being less materialistic, and spending their money more wisely. Simply being aware of the world, grateful for blessings, and offering up prayers for the poor helps a lot.
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