Everybody’s thick-headed sometimes. Even me, I guess, on some subjects. Ask my wife.

So I try to keep my cool in public debates.

For example, I’m not shocked when somebody says, “Hey, let’s have more government telling people what to do.” Or: “Hey, let’s send more U.S. tax dollars to poor countries overseas.” I may disagree — strongly. But I’m not going to explode into a state of shock like I’ve never heard this sort of thing before.

But what about Bono, the economist/rock star?

Ah, now I have your attention. What did this rock-star guy do now? He attended a technology conference in Tanzania. Many speakers there argued that traditional aid has failed to lift Africa out of its economic doldrums. Uganda journalist Andrew Mwenda contended that Western aid has not only failed, it helps entrench poverty. He wants more investment. He asks: “What man or nation has ever become rich by holding out a begging bowl?”

Bono was shocked! From the audience, he shouted “Bollocks!” — plus another
word I can’t quote on this family channel. Bono told the group that listening to Mwenda was like listening to an African Margaret Thatcher. According to Bono, the aid simply hasn’t been tweaked properly as yet.

Well, once he calms down a bit, maybe Bono can explain to us why the kind of economic freedom that works for America can’t also work for Africa. I will be shocked if he can muster any argument at all.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.