 | Promises not Funded are Promises not Kept Read the op-ed on the President's promise to double the Peace Corps by 2007, why the Peace Corps is admitting that it isn't going to happen, and what RPCVs can do to help. Latest: Read what Director Vasquez says about expansion and why promises are still unkept. |
| By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-242-91.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.242.91) on Sunday, April 11, 2004 - 2:48 pm: Edit Post |
Promises not funded are promises not kept
Promises not funded are promises not kept
Promises made and broken: President Bush rightly proposed more money for AIDS medication in Africa and for Peace Corps Expansion
Apr 4, 2004
Greensboro News & Record
In his State of the Union addresses, President Bush has used the occasion, as do all presidents, to outline bold objectives for the coming years.
Last year Bush admirably proposed to spend $15 billion over five years on AIDS programs in Africa and the Caribbean.
Still another worthy goal, this one in his 2002 State of the Union address, was to double the number of Peace Corps workers by 2007.
Both goals have been thwarted by lack of money, intensified by his huge tax cuts and the $500 billion budget deficit.
Bush rightly proposed expanding the Peace Corps started by President Kennedy in 1961. The Peace Corps shows the world the best of American values.
Last year more than 7,500 Peace Corps volunteers served in 71 countries. They taught school, provided medical assistance, built houses, taught farming and did other good works.
Many Americans transformed by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and wanting to help their country signed up for the Peace Corps. Applications jumped from more than 9,000 in 2001 to more than 11,000 last year. Countries seeking Peace Corps workers also soared. About 20 are on the waiting list for Peace Corps volunteers.
But budgetary constraints mean an expanded Peace Corps will not happen. America's best face lacks funding.
Next, AIDS. Bush's words were bolder than his actions. He has failed to fund the AIDS program to the extent he originally promised.
Pressure from the powerful pharmaceutical industry is also a factor. The administration has shied away from buying generic AIDS drugs made in India. The latter drugs are nearly half the price of U.S.-made medication. With 6 million people in Third World countries desperately needing the AIDS drug, this is no time for the Bush administration to pander to the pharmaceutical industry.
Promises not funded are promises not kept.
| By Kirk Perttu (68.123.40.153) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 5:46 am: Edit Post |
I agree it's a shame certain 2002 and 2003 SotU proposals of Bush's haven't been funded. His recommendation for AIDS funding was the most surprising and uplifting portion of the 2003 address. But instead of complaining about Bush, write to your Representative and Senators. Bush doesn't control the nation's purse-strings; Congress does.
| By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-242-91.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.242.91) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 3:53 pm: Edit Post |
What RPCVs can do to help Peace Corps get full funding for FY2005
| By --jim (cache-dtc-aa07.proxy.aol.com - 205.188.116.11) on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 5:59 pm: Edit Post |
Bush is "all hat, no cattle." PR talk comes cheap, in every area of which he speaks, unless it profits his cohorts. This should suprise no one by now.
To understand how "War" is "Peace" and "Support" is "Neglect," read Orwell's "1984".
| By Anonymous (207.160.49.10) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 10:40 am: Edit Post |
I want to help. Unfortunately I'm 15. I have finally found what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to join the Peace Corps. I can't wait to find out if I will be accepted. I have a question for the people that have expierience in the program. What college major should I have to get into the Peace Corps as fast as I can?