How much does the Federal Government?

[RationalLunacy]

37¢.......

 

[RationalLunacy]

^How'd you get a cents sign in your post?

I ask for spare change.

 

[RationalLunacy]

You little whippersnapper, come here so I can spank you!

Hold your ALT key then type 0162 on your number pad. Either you will get the ¢ symbol or your keyboard will explode.

 

[Apollo]

US Department of State Answer

 

[NineOfClubs]

From Avert.org:

The 2009 budget request for HIV/AIDS domestic spending is estimated at just over $18 billion. Of this, roughly 68 percent is for care, 15 percent for research, 10 percent for cash and housing assistance, and 4 percent for prevention.

Although spending on the domestic HIV epidemic has risen in recent years, many AIDS organisations say it remains inadequate. Cash shortages are particularly severe in Southern states, where the epidemic is newer, and funding has not yet been allocated to reflect the increase in cases. Recent changes to the Ryan White CARE Act were designed to address this problem, but have met with strong opposition from those in higher prevalence areas, who have suffered cuts in federal funding to pay for improved services in the South.

 

[NineOfClubs]

journaids.org:

Spending by affected country governments and households/individuals makes up a significant part of HIV/AIDS spending. UNAIDS estimates that domestic spending amounted to $2-billion in 2004.

I think more "googling" is in order.

An increase from $2 Billion to $18 Billion, in four years?

Even though I've read that President Bush has dramatically increased spending on AIDS, this seems too much...

 

[NineOfClubs]

And from Joe. My. God. reasons why the money has better uses:

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/01/rethinking-aids-spending.html

 

[frankfrank]

¢£¤¡*Ÿž�œ›š™˜—–•”“’‘*ñ│┤▓)ÿÜ

WOW, that's the first time I've ever played around with the ALT/numberpad controls. What ALT/numberpad combination gives the "degrees" (temperature) sign, and which one gives fractions like 1/2 and 3/4 (in one key stroke)?

Back to topic...

 

[Apollo]

journaids.org:

Spending by affected country governments and households/individuals makes up a significant part of HIV/AIDS spending. UNAIDS estimates that domestic spending amounted to $2-billion in 2004.

I think more "googling" is in order.

An increase from $2 Billion to $18 Billion, in four years?

Even though I've read that President Bush has dramatically increased spending on AIDS, this seems too much...

I think it is too little. While people are happy that the epidemic is slowing down, it is still increasing, and still needs to be addressed. I see no advertising talking about AIDS/HIV, and I know that not a lot of schools really cover it in depth enough for kids to get a good grasp of it. I know my generation (i'm 19) does at least understand what it is, not everyone does.

If we decided to spend the money elsewhere, we will be paying for it in the future, and that same blogger will be wondering where the money went. And from the earlier article you mentioned (avert) it seems, that $18 billion still isn't enough to address the rise in the southern states/

 

[Apollo]

It seems a bit imbalanced that the least amount of money of all AIDS funding goes to prevention.

Then again, it makes sense. Their cash cow is the medication so of course that's where they throw a good bulk of the money. And I'm sure nobody pockets any of that.

See, here we go again. It just never stops with you. You could at least wait for the other America bashers to get started.

 

[Apollo]

Yeah, more of it should go to prevention.

There is no problem with money going to medication. The problem is that still a lot of people are going around with no way or chance of getting that medicine.

The sad thing, it is going to take HIV spreading more in straight people in the US for the government to start want to increase spending and really do something about it.

As long as it is mostly confined to gay people, they don't really care.

It is a little too disproportinate in my opinion. Much much more needs to go to prevention. Back in the day, it was a lot more in prevention, but they figured that since it was falling, they might as well put more behind medication.

I don't know though, I think a lot needs to go to medication as well, I am conflicted on whether more should go to prevention or medication, both are pretty important.

I bet it takes another big spike in numbers before they think more about prevention. But Bush is leaving office, so you never know. Obama actually has some brains in his head.

 

[Apollo]

What I mean, is the government should be spending the money on medication, to give it for free or at a much reduced cost to people suffering from it.

I'm sure it is starting to make in-roads into the straight community, but I'm sure it will take a survey 10 years after the fact for it to become well known. It seems like all knowledge with this disease is always after the fact. Still, right now, it is most affecting gay men, and somewhat minorities. Even among gay people, it is starting to affect gay minorities, more than white ones.

Big Pharma will never lower the prices for AIDS/HIV medication around the world as long as they make as much as they do. And the US Government puts little regulation on Big Pharma in terms of what they do outside the US. Although, I don't think many governments do.

Still, greed is ultimately what is keeping Africa down.

 

[Apollo]

Get off my fucking nuts. Let me ask you, if you had to make a list of 10 things you would change about America, what would it entail? Or do you think America is perfect as-is? Keep in mind there are repeat-pedophiles who get light sentences, one-time misdemeanor offenders who get prison time, overcrowded prisons, cancer patients who can't afford medical help, illegal immigrants with long lists of DUIs, AIDS, gay discrimination, a failing public education system, war vets who can't afford medical treatment, we barely produce 1/10th of the oil we consume, we've lost some allies over the past years, we have over 100,000 troops in Iraq, foreclosures are at an all-time high, our economic system is based on people buying/selling/trading/borrowing/spending money they don't have, college is virtually unaffordable and there aren't enough scholarships for everyone who wants to go, obesity, pollution, and Bush is trying to loosen restrictions on wildlife preservation, a border between us and Mexico that's taking a century to build, the list goes on for anyone who's actually paying attention instead of prancing around their bedroom voguing to Rihanna music.

I think you've seen one too many King of the Hill episode. Believe it or not, it's UNpatriotic to criticize people for pointing out America's flaws. It's faux patriotism to say "Everything's fine, if you don't like it, get out."

Did I say it's hell? No. Did I say there aren't worse countries? Do you see me packing my bags to head to Bangladesh?

Replace the tampon that's causing irritation in your vergina, wake up, and smell the coffee. America isn't perfect. Do I love living hear? Hell fucking yes, if you bought me a one-way ticket to Haiti I'd sell it on e-bay. BUT, nothing prohibits progression more than people like you who PMS everytime you hear a smidgen of truth.

If I'm wrong about anything I've said, point out where instead of more of you "America ain't that bad, get over it." That's not a discussion, it's an empty talking point.

1. Improved diversity in the government
2. More attention to the poor and homless
3. Better regulation of the Pharmaseutical companies (they are running rampat with their drugs)
4. A overhauled health care system (we have the worst in the world IMO)
5. A overhauled education system (in terms of "civilized" and industrial nations, we definitely have the worst)
6. Much much much much much better foreign relations with not only the entire world, but more specifically our hemisphere of nations. We are so worried about Europe and Asia, we forget that Latin and Central America are not in the best of shape.
7. We need to work with Mexico to help fix their country so we can stop all of this illegal imigration
8. A comprehensive bill for equal rights for all minority groups, this meaning the GLBT community.
9. Proper sex education for our kids.
10. An emphasis on science and math in the schools
11. We need to do something for our senior citizens and retired people. It is a shame that social security is the way it is.
12. More research into Global Warning
13. Obviously our oil dependence
14. Stricter rules for our federal government (legislature, executive, judiciary)
15. A real reigning in on what the president is doing. I am currently reading a book on the history of the CIA, and it is amazing what they have done in the past, and what was allowed.
16. We need to start paying off our debt to the world, I don't very much like how much we owe to the world, and seeing how we are loosing our superpower status in terms of influence in other areas besides capitalism, this will be key in the future.
17. A broader participation in our government from citizens.

I can keep going on if you like.

I never said get over it, I said add some substance to your America bashing. No one ever does. It's nice to know you do know the REAL problems with America though. I never see you actually mentioning though.

It is also my constitutional right to argue with you on what you say. I mean, by all means say what you want. Doesn't mean I have to sit by and just listen and not comment. It's just un-American.

 

[Apollo]

Then why the fuck can't I?



Calling it "bashing" is immature. I didn't say "America smells bad" or "America has cooties" I talk about the same things you hear on CNN.

I don't go to Harvard, I go to Schreiner University. If you check in the middle of next fall semester, you might see my face on the main website.

Once again, if your gonna critisize something, add a little substinence to it. For instance in this thread, you started off good, ended with a snipe as Big Pharma. Now I hate them too, but I went a little further in what I said about them.

And from what you are saying, it does sound like your saying America smells bad.

Your quoted post by Flowbot is a lot better. Notice I didn't even say anything about it.

 

[Apollo]

Congratulations, but I hope that's not the cause of this uppity ass attitude. How did that song go? "Why you gotta be actin brand new?"



If they let you write a caption for your photo, don't use the [non]word substinence. Is that some mixture of sustenance and substance?

If your grievance is non-descript answers, instead of condescending everyboy like a bitchy queen, ask follow-up questions. I'd love to go in depth but once upon a time I was told my posts are too long. If you'd like to discuss this in PM because I don't wanna fuck this thread up beyond recognition, feel free, I don't bite (or act like I'm better than anyone).

I never like going into troll mode, but it is warrented once in awhile. I already tried answering the OP, and he actually gained some new info off of me, so that is good. Thats makes me feel slightly better for the hijacking.

 

[frankfrank]

I never said they could stop it, but they can slow the spread, and help people out more who have it already, also contribute funding to finding a cure/vaccine.

Plus, you never know, if there was a lot more awareness in the classroom and such, maybe it would stop spreading as much.

Perhaps with Obama coming into office, U.S. efforts to stop the spread of HIV may finally migrate beyond the boneheaded and futile efforts of trying to teach "abstinence only" methods to developing countries. The Bush policies of combating HIV spread in Africa and elsewhere seems to have been custom-made to assure the continuation and growth of the epidemic, rather than slowing it down.

add a little substinence to it.

Is that a George Bush word or something?

 

[NineOfClubs]

Yeah, I always thought that the funding was a lot lower than 18 Billion. Looking at Avert it shows in 2007 they spent 22.8 Billion on it. So for 2009 they want to cut it down by more than 5 Billion to 18 Billion.

Even if they really are spending around 20 Billion a year on it. Spending still needs to be increased. The funding for HIV/AIDS is short everywhere.

You might be making a mistake I was making...

I spent 30 minutes "googling" and couldn't find a definite history or chart of domestic AIDS spending by the federal government. A lot of figures seem to combine domestic spending on AIDS with the funding that is meant for overseas.

It was apparent, from what I could make of the numbers, that the US is the largest contributor, world wide, with huge increases made during the Bush years.

I'd certainly welcome anyone to discover the domestic AIDS spending numbers, and would appreciate seeing them posted.