It has come to my attention that there are several members of the United Nations that don't like the United States and frequently vote 'against' us. Okay, that's really not that big of surprise. It then went on to report how much money the United States spends in foreign aid to help these countries....with an ending about how this fact was disturbing. This e-mail got me thinking...
1) a)I'm not entirely sure how the whole UN thing works, but I'm pretty sure country representatives don't vote 'against' another county. They may vote differently concerning an issue, but it's not necessarily 'against' any specific country. Isn't the UN about issues, not countries?
1) b) As American citizens who believe (religiously) in the Constitution, we believe it a fundamental right of humans to have differing opinions. Not to say that any one party is right or wrong...but we are allowed (in fact commanded) to excercise our agency.
2) a)I have a student who says "I hate (fill in the blank)" often; particularly when he doesn't want to do something. I happened to walk into his classroom the other day, he ran up to me and said, pointing to his teacher, "I hate that girl." I just had to sigh and help redirect him. Yesterday his parents were coming in for a meeting with his teacher so he was not to ride the bus home. He really doesn't like it when his schedule changes so in response to his teacher telling him his mom was going to pick him up he said, "I hate my Mom."
2) b)Today I met with a student and her mother and an Assistant Principal. Her mother was very frustrated with some issues at the school and came into vent. The AP, in all her wisdom, listened to the mother, but then asked the daughter to express her feelings. With a little persuasion that her comments would not be held against her, she mentioned that she thought her teacher was becoming frustrated by her questioning in math, so she just quit asking questions.
2) c)These two instances put together remind me that when I'm frustrated, I often become upset at the person trying to help me (especially my mother...sorry mom! I really do appreciate your help). I've also been on the other side...the unappreciated helper. But here's the question: As a helper, do I give up because those I'm trying to help lash out at me saying, "I hate you!"? If I were a parent, would I quit feeding my child broccoli because they said they didn't like broccoli? As a friend, would I quit providing a shoulder to cry on because my shirt got all wet? I know even when I'm frustrated with my mom she doesn't give up on me...
3) For punishment to be effective it must be swift and severe.
4) King Benjamin taught "
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— ...For behold, are we not all beggars?...And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another." (
Mosiah 4:16-21)
5) I don't know why I was lucky enough to be born in the promised land of America. I don't know why I got the privilege of growing up with both of my parents at home with plenty to eat, clothes to wear, a great education, and the truth of the restored Gospel at my hands. I have been blessed so abundantly. I know there are so many out there who's life circumstances have handed them are very different set of cards. I don't know why I was blessed, but I'm all about sharing what I have.
So what's the point of this little tirade? Just because there are countries in the UN with whom we don't see eye to eye with, I don't think we should deny them our assistance. I'm the first to admit there are a lot of problems here on the homefront that need addressing...but as we are one of the most powerful countries in the world, I don't think we can deny anyone of our assistance just merely because they have a differing opinion. Punishing the citizens of a country for the actions of their elected officials is not going to work...and we're not about that. Instigating change at a global level is something I won't even pretend to grasp...but I feel there's got to a better way than sending e-mails about how much money we're 'wasting' on countries that do not agree with us.
