Originally posted by CMIPalaeo:One thing about Bono that people get wrong a lot is that he doesn't preach 'it's wrong to be rich when other people are so poor, how can you spend so much money on X or Y and live in such a way when millions of people can't even afford to feed themselves every day' and try to guilt people into supporting his causes, which is what a lot of people do.
Bono preaches 'those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the developed world with all our luxuries should feel blessed, and use our fortunate position to help others.' And I think it's pretty clear that's what he does. There's more to beating extreme poverty and AIDS and famine than just throwing money at the problems, too - Bono seems more interested in supporting and assisting groups that are planning the best ways to go about fixing these problems with permanent, adaptable methods and solutions rather than basically just saying 'here's a couple million dollars, use that for a while til it dries up, try not to let any corrupt government types get their hands on it, good luck.'
He isn't saying give every penny you've got to fight poverty and it's not fair to hold him to such a standard. The guy is very rich. He can afford to do stupid, rich-person stuff. But... he's also doubtless using lots of his wealth - probably a lot more than many other very, very rich individuals and organisations - to support the social causes he preaches about, and that's what's important. Not that he has enough money to do dumb things like buy a hat (especially if it was that awful, awful green hat) an expensive plane flight, but that he really does care about what he supports.
People don't seem to come after Paul McCartney or Sting or other wealthy musicians, ready to crucify them for not giving enough money, when these artists and many others have supported social causes just like Bono's, and it certainly seems to me that - and this is not meant as a sleight to them - Bono certainly has more of a passion for his causes, and a desire to keep them in the public eye. Because no matter how much he can give, there's another important element here: Bono can't save the world. It takes people to save the world; you can't rely on just one guy with a lot of money and a lot to say, because that won't last forever. But the efforts of people from all across the board can.
Maybe people just want a reason to tell him to shut up. Maybe being reminded that you have it really good and you also have the power to help make a change is annoying, or maybe it's because the stuff he talks about isn't really pleasant stuff to think about, but... Bono has always seemed so hopeful that it can change for the better. I think questioning whether or not he really believes that or really acts on his ideals seems, to me at least, to be trying a little too hard.
he's got the money, he's one rich mofo. congrats, bono, you did it, you won at life. here's to you 