Bono: Friend of Poverty, not the Poor
Charles Johnson
Last Updated: 5/1/08 Section: News
In particular, in post-Charles Taylor Liberia governments prefer to spend uncontrollably. The proper course establishes legal and social mechanisms - impartial courts, opposition parties, and independent assessors - that monitor and prevent that debt in the first place. When these governments default on their loans, however, they can always count on Bono-figures to advocate debt forgiveness.
It's not like Bono doesn't understand the issue of legal maneuvering. As The Chronicle of Higher Education notes, U2 recently relocated its music-publishing company from Ireland to the Netherlands to lower its tax burden. Slate columnist Timothy Noah points out Bono's hypocrisy. By relocating to the Netherlands, Bono denied the government of Ireland, one of the poorest developed nations in the world, its necessary tax revenue.
Bono, who fights for "justice issues" governing tax policy and supports progressive taxation hurts the Irish. His very hypocrisy sends a powerful message to those who support his goal, but disagree with his means: progressive taxation is for thee and not for me. What's more, he encourages the very tax cheats in his beloved Africa. According to the African Union, Africans lose $150 billion dollars in taxes every year due to tax evasion - three times its total foreign aid. Those who see Bono's hypocrisy will wonder: If Bono does it, why can't I?
Unfortunately, though he can evade the tax man, Bono cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with the tireless reformers who bring real results to Africa. In fact, many of those thinkers are against him. Kenyan economist James Skikwati begged us to stop giving money to the poor. He argues that every time the West subsidizes the social services of African states it robs Africans of an opportunity for constructive engagement with their government.
Unfortunately, his claim has fallen of deaf ears. This subsidization widens the chasm between government and people and hinders the creation of a middle class. Government's and the people's interests will diverge and the country will become either a failed state or a stolen state. Sooner or later, that aid money will dry up and the already dependent Africa will be without any means of government redress. Why not? We've encouraged that disconnect.
It's not like Bono doesn't understand the issue of legal maneuvering. As The Chronicle of Higher Education notes, U2 recently relocated its music-publishing company from Ireland to the Netherlands to lower its tax burden. Slate columnist Timothy Noah points out Bono's hypocrisy. By relocating to the Netherlands, Bono denied the government of Ireland, one of the poorest developed nations in the world, its necessary tax revenue.
Bono, who fights for "justice issues" governing tax policy and supports progressive taxation hurts the Irish. His very hypocrisy sends a powerful message to those who support his goal, but disagree with his means: progressive taxation is for thee and not for me. What's more, he encourages the very tax cheats in his beloved Africa. According to the African Union, Africans lose $150 billion dollars in taxes every year due to tax evasion - three times its total foreign aid. Those who see Bono's hypocrisy will wonder: If Bono does it, why can't I?
Unfortunately, though he can evade the tax man, Bono cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with the tireless reformers who bring real results to Africa. In fact, many of those thinkers are against him. Kenyan economist James Skikwati begged us to stop giving money to the poor. He argues that every time the West subsidizes the social services of African states it robs Africans of an opportunity for constructive engagement with their government.
Unfortunately, his claim has fallen of deaf ears. This subsidization widens the chasm between government and people and hinders the creation of a middle class. Government's and the people's interests will diverge and the country will become either a failed state or a stolen state. Sooner or later, that aid money will dry up and the already dependent Africa will be without any means of government redress. Why not? We've encouraged that disconnect.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
chromeplatedmachine
allan pearson
posted 11/07/07 @ 12:30 AM PST
biased, venomous, and absolutely terrible
this writer ought to be banned if the newsmag wants to retain its integrity
Aditya Bindal
posted 11/08/07 @ 8:19 AM PST
Well, I wonder who is biased: the author who presents a logical and clear flow of arguments based on solid evidence, or the post which shouts out without any backing, purely acting on emotional basis (like our Irish friend, perhaps?)
Also, keep in mind that the author has not touched upon several other criticisms of Bono. (Continued…)
Charles Johnson
posted 11/08/07 @ 1:21 PM PST
Typical. Ban a writer? Shame on you, Mr. Pearson. Shame on you. Address the substance, if you can.
Simon Ruf
posted 12/02/07 @ 7:40 AM PST
This article is horribly bad researched. While you state that "Ireland [is] one of the poorest developed nations in the world" quite the opposite is true. (Continued…)
Charles Johnson
posted 12/06/07 @ 4:46 PM PST
Thank you, Mr. Ruf. You are quite right. After years of flawed, Socialist taxation policies, Ireland has made the right decision and moved towards fair and flat taxation. (Continued…)
Muhammad
posted 2/14/08 @ 9:03 PM PST
Why cannot someone, like Bono, choose to exercise his efforts however he sees fit. You argue that the Red Campaign has brought in less money than Bono spent developing it, but maybe the campaign is about more than money. (Continued…)
Debt relief
posted 4/15/08 @ 12:54 PM PST
Well he is a great man and he also has reasons to be considered that way. I appreciate all the efforts, there are many people who should learn for him. (Continued…)
jake Richardson
posted 5/12/08 @ 2:56 PM PST
While I agree wholeheartedly that the plans Bono makes may not be quite as economically sound as we at CMC may wish, why on earth would you criticize a man who steps out of the mold of self involved rock frontman to become, at worst, a self involved large scale philanthropist? I sat next to you all semester in Economics while you spoke with your holier-than-thou tone about what you knew to be economic truth. (Continued…)
Charles Johnson
posted 5/13/08 @ 8:49 PM PST
Mr. Richardson,
I think the person you wanted to send this is Charles Sprague. I am that inhuman "red head" who he debated.
I wonder if you actually read the article as I never made some of the points you are making. (Continued…)
Storm
posted 5/26/08 @ 8:05 AM PST
Maybe his plans aren't the most concrete, but he's able to raise awareness - he's motivated a bunch of high-schoolers (me included) to take a look at ourselves and how we spend our money - and I for one, think that's a good thing. (Continued…)
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