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Rich people living in third world countries would definitely be included in that especially because rather than some vague "foreign policy" being the causal link for culpability they can often be the corrupt individuals creating the problem themselves. Saying "people who live in penthouses next to Indian slums might be living their life wrong too" is not exactly an expression of disagreement.



Perhaps I was unclear. I wasn't talking about rich people. Poor people need to enjoy life just as much as rich people, if not more. Who spends more time at bars, the rich or the poor?

Do you think an Ethiopian community is immoral because it puts effort into having enjoyable festivals, dignified funerals and large weddings? Think of all the effort that could have gone to the starving children!

Here's a more practical question for you. There's a homeless guy who hangs around my place. He's definitely not malnourished, in fact he's somewhat fat. If I give him a dollar, should he return it to me with instructions to give it to African children instead?


Having a party when there are people starving outside may actually be immoral, yes, even in Ethiopia. I'm not basing my argument on "Americans bad" so much as admitting there could be something to this whole "how are you so able to ignore the extreme suffering of others?" question... Maybe we would be better if none of us could do that.




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