Just wondering...

So, Bono and all kinds of other "celebrities" are on Oprah touting some new

Red campaign

to save African men, women and children suffering from HIV/AIDS. He says that just $.50 a day will pay for HIV medicine for one African.

No doubt it's a great cause. But personally, I'd prefer my charitable donations go to somewhere a little closer. Like Peoria. Or Illinois. Or the USA. But that's just me...I kinda figure we oughta take care of our own, first. THEN expand outwards. There are kids dying of one thing or another HERE...every DAY. There are kids going hungry...going without warm clothes...being abused...HERE. Right here. Right now.

If we can't take care of our own, how are we expected to take care of any other country now...or in the future? That's like the first rule someone learns when they go into any kind of public service work...keep YOURSELF safe and healthy, first and foremost. You're of no use to anyone else if YOU'RE not healthy.

But that's not really my point. I figure $.50 a day adds up to $15.00 a month. We can buy HIV/AIDS drugs for people in Africa for fifteen bucks a month, but...uh...well, here's a list I found of the "average" cost of HIV/AIDS drugs for a month...HERE...in the US.

According to Bono, the Africans get TWO drugs. TWO pills a day.
So why does it only cost fifteen bucks a month for two drugs in Africa, but it costs anywhere from $300 to over a thousand bucks a month HERE...for ONE drug?

COST PER MONTH (estimates)
Agenerase $772
Aptivus $1117.50
Combivir $752.64
Crixivan $570.96
Emtriva $347.11
Epivir 300mg $347.11
Epzicom $813.55
Fortovase $263.35
Fuzeon $2315.40
Hivid $273.00
Invirase $748.50
Kaletra $796.26
Lexiva $658.99
Norvir $321.46
Rescriptor $316.35
Retrovir $405.59
Reyataz $892.91
Sustiva 600mg $499.43
Trizivir $1164.35
Truvada $867.99
Videx EC 400mg $346.04
Viramune $442.45
Zerit $385.88
Ziagen $466.44

I'm disgusted. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another trendy "cause celebre". Too bad I won't be participating. Red IS my favorite color.

Pppppfffffftttttt!