Comparing third world and western poverty.

[Ian Gentles]

I am not sure this can be done actually as both are so completely different. Of course third world suffers more than we could ever do, but to use the argument, "you at least aren't living in a third world country" to folks struggling in west may not be a good argument.
Folks in west need things to fit in, get bye, get a job. We face bills that sometimes we cant face, but we must to survive in our society. Oh we are richer, but poverty in west is different. We need to send kids to school, have a suit for work, cars if we are every to get there in first place, etc etc etc.
What i am trying to say is, we cant argue one against the other, hope you understand?

[Linda Schroller]

Ian--I do understand. However, having lived in "rez" territory (third world conditions within the US borders) and having a good friend in Nigeria, I guess I have different viewpoint.

I so agree that many struggle in the west. That said, there is a huge difference between worrying about having a suit for work and knowing I have absolutely no food for the kids and no hope of getting any.

So, no, we can't argue one against the other. We in the west should be on our knees in thanksgiving more often, and helping those in third world conditions more often. IMHO.