The African Qustion

George W. Bush has wasted more money in Africa than any sitting president to date. And that is saying a lot considering his predecessors. Remember back in the 80’s when it was hip to get a bunch of rich musicians together to record songs about starving Ethiopians? They raised a bunch of money also. And much like our own government, at the end of the day the money, once allocated could not be accounted for.

I have read that for every dollar in aid sent to an African country, up 99 cents is put directly in the pocket of some warlord or corrupt ruler. Why then should we continue to waste money in this bottomless pit of despair? Because this is the United States, we are Americans and this is what we do. And more importantly it is a politically necessary.

Dub’ya has spent more than Bubba. Bubba spent more than Daddy Bush, Daddy Bush spent more than The Gipper, The Gipper spent more than the Peanut Farmer and McCain will spend more than Dub’ya. And for all the good this money does we could have just used it as toilet paper, flushed it and got a better use out of it.

It is still hip for famous people to try and help Africa. Bono, Angelina and Brad, Madonna, and the names go on and on. Bono is probably the most sincere about it. His debt relief proposals are sound. Besides why hang tons of debts on countries that will never be able to pay it back because of their insistence on staying in the dark ages? But most just use the plight of the African continent as a backdrop for self-promotion. Or in Madonna and Angelina’s case, use African orphans like Gucci bags, just accessories to be used for photo ops.

Between the constant wars, famine and the AIDS epidemic, the Dark Continent will suffocate under it’s on weight within a few decades. And no amount of money will help this. But we will still send it because this is the United States, we are Americans and we will try to help, no matter how futile the cause.