divert foreign aid to flood-hit British families

We should and do prize human life, but does throwing UK government aid money annually and without audit into these countries change the countries values to ours?.
A number of the countries that the government sends money to were former colonies where we Brits tried to impose our values. In many instances cultures and practices changed little or reverted to habit on independence and many would now say we had no right to try. FGM, infanticide, acid attacks etc. are still rife and yet we still support these regimes by giving them our money which, in many instances goes into the pockets of those who don't need it rather than into the services for those who do.
Disaster aid is a different matter.

m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/4778975/ interesting.

I do not expect that when we give aid to other countries we expect them to change their values to ours. That is colonialism.
You'll be wanting the empire back next.
The charities I give money to help the people in need to help themselves. I expect government aid to do the same.

www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/10633669/Yes-the-floods-are-awful-but-we-must-keep-a-sense-of-proportion.html

#newspaperwars.

We could never have thought of that could we.

Hi Durhamjen
The above link appears to show that the government has recognised that it's Injudicious giving of financial aid may not be going where it is needed and achieving the desired outcomes.

Giving to charities that promote self empowerment of the poor and maltreated within this world is one of the greatest things we can do, however, no matter how benevolent, the intent is always change.

I too give to charities but sometimes do think that despite years of support some issues never change. Children are still starving in the same places. Women are still being treated as birthing animals. Education and health care is still being denied to the needy. And yet within these countries there are rich people who totally disregard these needs due to cultural norms.

But look at the disparity of income in this country, Joelsnan. We do not stop giving to Shelter, etc., because the government is run by millionaires who want to see families on the streets.
When my mother died, I was surprised and extremely pleased to find that she had direct debits to both Shelter and Water Aid. She was always going on about charity beginning at home. Something I said to her must have got through, but she did not like to let on.

I agree there is disparity, however with the exception of a few, the general social consensus in the UK is benevolence to our kin and that is not the case in many countries. I Would love for all countries to respect and value all of its inhabitants, if this was enabled there would be little need for charity giving.

I have gone a bit off piste

I SO totally agree with you Joelsnan and I this is what I was saying way back in this thread. Our government will always be run by very wealthy people whatever their political persuasion as only the very rich can afford to become ministers; their pay by comparison to business, celebrities and most other high flying jobs is way down the list, but I don't think we can begin to compare them to the blatantly obviously corrupt politicians and institutions in other countries! I think we, as a country, try to do our best trying to please all of the people all of the time, but as so often happens 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' and the fact that so many countries seem to hate us can make it seem a fruitless task. I know all about our colonies and so on, but a lot of us weren't even born when independence was granted, let alone when colonialisms was being perpetrated. How long do Germans have to apologise and feel guilty for the Nazi's? surely not 75 years later! subsequent generations can't be expected to carry a burden of guilt till the end of time, and no one should expect them to! If only your last paragraph could be true, but I don't think Utopia will ever exist!!

I like the sound of your Mum, durhamjen, quietly doing her bit to help but not shouting about it.

Someone's mentioned Nazis – end of conversation.

absent Why?

I feel sure there is still a lot of guilt being felt by today's ordinary, decent, Germans.

What has overseas aid got to do with guilt? I thought we realised that the government gives for political reasons, and the rest of us give from compassion. I don't actually believe that there is no compassion involved with the government.

It's wrong that ministers are always wealthy individuals. They are most likely successful financially because they are lucky enough to have good brains, and perhaps a good work ethic. And that is why and how they make it to the top politically.

jingl It's one of those sayings – as soon as someone mentions Nazis in the context of a general conversation, rational debate ceases. Actually, once the subject here turned to the idea that overseas aid is a result of colonial guilt, ratiocination didn't seem to be its guiding feature.

As far as rich MPs and ministers go, it helps if your parents (and parents' parents) are stinking rich to start off with – otherwise you can always have half a dozen company directorships on the side which, of course, would never constitute conflict of interest. Oh and, of course, there are those with offshore hedge funds and non-taxable trusts …

margaret, I was thinking the same thing about Jen's mum. You put the thought into words nicely.

And often people who are not really well off are quietly helping.

absent Agreed!

I thought you had left this thread, nigglynellie. Obviously you had more to say.

I have no more to add.

I agree with you, Absent, about MPs and ministers.
Does Jingle not read the same things that the rest of us do?
Since when did Cameron and Osborne get where they are because of brains and a good work ethic?

What about Miliband and Balls?

Would you like to ask "Jingle" directly jendurham?

Feel free.

Most people who reach the top of their chosen profession do so through hard work. And if that profession is at all cerebral, then a good brain would surely help.

Do you read the same things as the rest of us, Jingle? I am particularly thinking about the fact that Cameron's money came from his dad running a business to cheat the taxman by setting up offshore funds. Osborne's money came from his dad's wallpaper business. Neither of them are renowned for their work ethic or brains.

I've answered your question.

And I don't know what the fuck you read.

language Eglantine,[shovk]