Tempus Fugit

I’ve been gone for the 4th of July weekend (happy Independence Day all you “Colonials!”), so I missed the “Live 8″ brouhaha. I realize that I’m a little late in commenting, but I just couldn’t resist throwing my two cents in, if only to make the obvious “Live Masturb8: Socialist Circle Jerk 2005″ joke or point out the irony of naming a concert aimed at eliminating poverty with a homonym of the past tense of “eat.”

This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children.”

Live 8 Website

Grandiose, eh? That, and the biggest pack of lies ever sung.

Africa is one of the most naturally resourceful hunks of land on the planet. These know-nothing rich celebrities are used to being able to solve any problem by throwing money at it, and can’t imagine that eliminating “poverty” requires anything but vast amounts of cash from the free nations of the world. Oh, I’m sorry… did I say “free?” I meant “rich.” Filthy rich. Evil rich. Repressive rich. War machine rich. Anything to hide the fact that the reason that nations prosper is freedom and capitalism.

See, according to these idiots, America was just lucky. We got ahead in the world, and now our vast wealth is oppressing Africa. If only they had enough money to reach critical mass and join the big boys of the globe!

People are in poverty in Africa because of oppressive governments. Without property rights, personal freedoms, and some sort of capitalistic society, people cannot rise out of poverty. Calling for a doubling of “aid” to Africa is like calling for money to be given to parents who beat their children, so that they can buy them bandages for their wounds. Does this solve domestic abuse?

There is a solution to poverty: creating opportunity. As long as people live in slavery to their oppressive governments in Africa, all the money in the world is useless to them because they lack the freedom and the power to utilize it and provide for themselves. Free money, food or medicine are not substitutes for freedom.

You want to eliminate poverty? Kill the tyrants who impose it. Set up a government of the people and let capitalism work its magic. Of course, if this actually happened, the same lobster-dining assholes who performed at “Live 8″ would be performing at a concert protesting the liberation of Africa.