We Are the U.S.
February 15, 2010 by admncc
I was watching the Olympics on Saturday and a commercial aired featuring actor, Jamie Foxx. In case you missed it, he introduced the multi-station simulcast for the new “We Are the World” video. You can watch it here.
This “We Are the World” song/video is a remake of the one originally created for the “U.S.A. for Africa” campaign in 1985. LOL, I was actually in the fourth grade in 1985…
Anyway, don’t think I’m insensitive when I say this, but was I the only one wondering why it seems that celebrities rush to the aid of those abroad, while cities in the U.S. continue to suffer?
The sad part is that whether you’re watching the world news or reading something online, there are countless public interest stories daily about U.S cities that are bankrupt and citizens that are living below poverty standards. I mean, just drive around your own city. For example, I know there are ghettos around here , but there are ones that are far worse in other cities.
ABC News recently did a study on “America’s 10 Poorest Cities.” You can read it here. It mentioned cities such as Pine Bluff (MN), Albany and Macon (GA) and Rocky Mountain (NC), where most annual incomes range between $18,000 and $23,000 – with the lower echelon between $7,500 and $8,500.
I do realize that the situation in Haiti is unprecedented – hundreds of thousands dead and millions with nowhere to stay. But to be honest, I’d like to see some celebrities band together, set up a donation hotline, answer the phones themselves, dedicate nine hours of their time, pay for a TV simulcast, solicit corporate sponsors and write some big checks to benefit U.S. cities as well. While I appreciate what they’re doing and know that the people of Haiti do too, like I said above, I don’t think I’m being irrational in the way I think.
P.S. I realize it’s hard to get 100+ musical artists in the same room at the same time. And clearly some of last year’s most recognized talent was visibly missing from this performance. But as a side-note, if you look very closely in the back row of the video, you can see actors Vince Vaughn and Jeff Bridges. Are they singers???
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First of, thanks for sharing the link to the video because I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed. OMG, the minute I heard it, I had an immediate flashback to the one they did back in 1985. I remember exactly where I was in my life at the time.
Second, I do see and understand your point and don’t think you’re being irrational in your way of thinking, because the U.S definitely can use some inner support right now. However, what happened in Haiti was a sudden and devistating catastrophy. So personally, I really applaude these celebrities for reaching out to help.
Great post, CC!
I thought the same thing when I saw the telethon. I do appreciate what they do for the citizens of Haiti, and god knows they need help, but we have a lot of people within our borders who need help too.
As for the stars of the new We Are The World, I couldn’t identify the majority of them, but then I was 18 when the first one aired and knew who everyone was. There were actors in the first one too, Chevy Chase and Dan Acroyd for sure and probably more.
The founders of this great nation NEVER would have sent any tax dollars to a struggling American city after an earthquake, let alone a foreign one. Your feelings are not far off. Today the story is that a school and a hospital in Haitti have collapsed. I’m so glad I only sent $10 to this relief plan, because what the US gov’t is doing is an absolute failure.
p.s….I would NEVER give ANY money that has Barbara Streisand’s face connected to it….LOL
Sometimes I think celebrities go with whatever is the latest media event. Many of them are just after the attention.
As for an apparent focus on helping abroad, I noticed many churches do this also or maybe it just seems that way. I remember being asked to help with this, that, or the other mission trip to _______ country but not much emphasis on helping our community.
The founders of this great nation NEVER would have sent any tax dollars to a struggling American city after an earthquake, let alone a foreign one.(NCD)
NEVER, really? You must be pyschic(o).
Would you like proof…Titfortat?
NCD
If you have proof that every one of your founding fathers would agree with your statement………..Go for it. 😉
Give us a break, NCD. Or should I say, give us the proof.
Good post, CC. I enjoyed the video. Brings back memories.
Beside the fact that the Founders NEVER gave money to a foreign nation after an earthquake, here are two examples that sum up the founders’ thoughts on the spending of public funds:
James Madison, the father of our constitution, irate over a $15,000 congressional appropriation to assist some French refugees, said, “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.”
Thomas Jefferson explained, “Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.”
HERE ARE MORE EXAMPLES FROM THOSE WHO CAME AFTER THE FOUNDING.
In 1796, Rep. William Giles of Virginia condemned a relief measure for fire victims, saying that Congress didn’t have a right to “attend to what generosity and humanity require, but to what the Constitution and their duty require.”
In February 1887, President Grover Cleveland, upon vetoing a bill appropriating money to aid drought-stricken farmers in Texas, said, “I find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and the duty of the General Government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit.”
President Cleveland added, “The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens in misfortune. This has been repeatedly and quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood.”
In 1854, after vetoing a popular appropriation to assist the mentally ill, President Franklin Pierce said, “I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity.” To approve such spending, argued Pierce, “would be contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Constitution and subversive to the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded.”
http://townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2005/09/21/is_it_permissible
NCD
Cool, thanks for “some” of the founding fathers ideas on the matter.
Ok, two thoughts I had while watching We Are The World:
How in the hell did that girl from the Pussy Cat Dolls get her own microphone and why can’t Michael Jackson just be dead? Why do we keep showing video of him and pretending he’s actually there?
I agree that the celebs jump to help other countries, even the expose they did on Dateline or 20/20 about the kids from the Rocky Mountains didn’t jump start them.
I couldn’t agree with you more about fixing problems at home before fixing them abroad. My heart goes out to those in Haiti who lost family, loved ones, and friends. It was, and is a terrible situation there. But my heart also goes out to those who live in THIS country and are in need of assistance as well.
I am also in agreement with some above who believe that “some” celebs, not all, may jump on the charity band wagon to get their names in the press. They do this not because they actually care about the charity but because they are “attention whores”
I didn’t know Jeff Bridges sang at least not until all these nominations started pouring in for his latest movie, Crazy Heart.
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I live in West Hollywood where I see homeless people every single day. They probably wonder the same thing. This place (world) is a mess. Most times if you don’t have money you’re shit out of luck. If its not money its ‘what kind of exposure can I get?’. I wish more people cared. Actually I take that back, a lot of people care, but do they care about the things that are really important? I’d say most don’t.
I won’t be long here because you honestly said it exactly the way I would have said it, only difference I would have misspelled 100 words or so.