Extremely Sad But True - American People vs. Rebuilding Haiti

[PRmamiDEdos]

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/...n_ac360blog+(Blog:+AC360)&utm_content=Twitter

IMHO, we are no longer the wealthiest nation. With everything that's going on in our own "backyard", I think we need to take care of the American people first.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I agree. I think there needs to be balance. IIRC, the UK pledged 10 million. The US pledged 150 million. And the UK is doing better than us! Sadly, we don't have that kind of money.

But at least the Hollywood/music concert raised a lot.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Here's hoping our 150 million will come back to us three-fold. Giving money for a good cause is never in vain. I do agree though that our priority should be Detroit and all other cities who are suffering.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I don't think that we gave in vain, but where did we have $150 million to give in the 1st place? The American People have been texting and donating and we had the telethon to help a little more. I'm concerned with where the article says that people who suffered during Katrina STILL don't have a house to go home to. I totally understand in donating to people who are less fortunate, but where do you draw the line where your country is becoming part of that less fortunate (I'm sure we're not even close but still)?

 

[NY Disney fan]

I. I'm concerned with where the article says that people who suffered during Katrina STILL don't have a house to go home to.

In all honestly, Americans don't like to help each other (long term). We will help each other in a pinch (9/11 or Katrina) but beyond that...not really. Those who still don't have a home from the Katrina disaster are officially homeless. Look at all the homeless people in the US. We give money to shelters and try to help soup kitchens but that's where the help stops. Its like healthcare...you are on your own and that's the way Americans want it. Those that don't want it that way try to change the system. I wouldn't hold my breath for Detroit.

 

[wendy46001]

I think we also have to remember poverty in America is very different form poverty in countries like Haiti. We have soup kitchen, shelters, a welfare system…these people had nothing and now they have less

 

[NY Disney fan]

I think we also have to remember poverty in America is very different form poverty in countries like Haiti.

We can't compare the two. Both are bad. America's poverty is compounded by surrounding wealth, bad/violent schools, peer pressure, access to weapons, the list goes on. At least in Haiti everyone is more or less in the same boat. Poor. Their poverty is not compounded by the thing that American poor have to deal with.

 

[lillygator]

I think we also have to remember poverty in America is very different form poverty in countries like Haiti. We have soup kitchen, shelters, a welfare system…these people had nothing and now they have less

exactly.


And Americans have much more opportunities than many.

 

[Deb in IA]

As tough as things are in Detroit, New Orleans, and other places here in the US, they CANNOT BEGIN TO COMPARE the devastation in Haiti:

150,000 buried in Port-au-Prince alone
Total death toll expected to be 200,000 to 300,000
Up to 250,000 injured
600,000 homeless in Port-au-Prince

Are you really comparing this to the economic slump in Detroit???


And don't tell me where to give my aid.

 

[dismom2]

Many Americans need to learn to 'help themselves', too. We have a lot of resources, and more opportunities than most people in these poor countries.

It starts at home: some parent's need to step up to the plate and be better parents. Children, teens, and adults alike need to make sure their priorities are straight; parents need to set an example and see to it that they try their best to guide their children down the right path, including watching the company they keep. Do well in school, take advantage of all the help there is out there, and make a conscious effort everyday to do something to improve their situation. Don't rely on the government and hard working tax payers to fully support you if you are capable of supporting yourself (many disabled people work, yet perfectly healthy people live off of welfare). Jobs may be hard to come by in this economy, but I know a couple people who are not actively looking---sending a resume once in a while is not helping yourself. There are so many resources to help people here in America---free resources.

Yes, there are many people who actually do need help, and many of us are happy to help those truly in need. Some people do not truly realize what it really means to be helpless and live in real poverty. The line is getting smaller between what people think is needy and people who really are. I think we should help those who truly need help, no matter where that is, and those who are fortunate enough to help themselves must do so.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that people should give to the cause they believe in regardless of location.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

We can't compare the two. Both are bad. America's poverty is compounded by surrounding wealth, bad/violent schools, peer pressure, access to weapons, the list goes on. At least in Haiti everyone is more or less in the same boat. Poor. Their poverty is not compounded by the thing that American poor have to deal with.

Do you really think that Haiti's poor don't face violence every day? Although some American schools may be bad/violent, at least Americans have schools and are guaranteed the right to an education.

Peer pressure? I would think that there's plenty right now, although it probably wouldn't even begin to touch the internal pressure felt from desolation, starvation, and the survival instinct.

While I wouldn't wish poverty/joblessness/homelessness on anyone, I would dare say that the average Haitian would change places with the poorest American given the slightest chance.

 

[Carly_Roach]

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/...n_ac360blog+(Blog:+AC360)&utm_content=Twitter

IMHO, we are no longer the wealthiest nation. With everything that's going on in our own "backyard", I think we need to take care of the American people first.

Thank GOD someone in the media finally said it in a public enough place to make more people think. I appalud this article heartily!

 

[merryweather20]

The U.S. has 5 times the population of the U.K. so these things would look out of whack anyway.

Country Pledge Population Per/Pop
U.S. 100,000,000 308,549,000 0.32
Canada 50,000,000 33,979,000 1.47
UK 10,000,000 60,776,238 0.16
Australia 9,300,000 20,434,176 0.455

These are the government pledges from the AP on the 19th (I used these amounts because I couldn't find the 150 million that another poster mentioned, but you get the idea).

So Australia donated alot even though they have been dealing with devastating, massive fires. Canada's donation is larger since our governor general is from Haiti, so this hit close to home for alot of Canadians. And the U.S. is right in the middle.

 

[charming23]

I too believe that we need to start helping those in our own "backyard" along with helping those around the world. It is sad that we as a country are willing to help out strangers rather than our own fellow neighbors. Why doesn't Hollywood hold telethons to raise money to help poverty stricken areas in America to help improve the schools and the neiborhood as a whole.

 

[crashbb]

I think that people should give to the cause they believe in regardless of location.

And then shut up about it.

And not tell others what to do with their money.

 

[wdwfan16]

As tough as things are in Detroit, New Orleans, and other places here in the US, they CANNOT BEGIN TO COMPARE the devastation in Haiti:

150,000 buried in Port-au-Prince alone
Total death toll expected to be 200,000 to 300,000
Up to 250,000 injured
600,000 homeless in Port-au-Prince

Are you really comparing this to the economic slump in Detroit???


And don't tell me where to give my aid.

Add to that the number of amputations. Many of the fathers who did manual work are now amputees. How do you expect them to support their family now? They certainly will try but it maybe impossible.

How will the children who lost limbs going to earn a living in the future?

I am sure that many of those in Haiti would love to trade those in Detroit. How many in Detroit would be happy to trade?

One does not have to pick helping one group over the other. All are human and I am not going to treat ones born in this country, which puts them way up in the economic scale, over ones born in another country. I will help my fellow man as best as I can. Right now that means I will try to get food, water and medical help to my Haitian neighbors.

 

[FireDancer]

I think we also have to remember poverty in America is very different form poverty in countries like Haiti. We have soup kitchen, shelters, a welfare system…these people had nothing and now they have less

That seems to be an issue between the Haitians and their government, and it is the responsibility of the people to fix it. All of those things came about here because we the people made them happen. Any nation can follow the lead of our forefathers and revolt against a tyrannical government and then form a new one that has societal safety nets in place. I realize we aren't perfect but as a nation we at least try instead of throwing out hands in the air and saying "oh well".

Give to the cause you feel you should. I won't judge it either way. I just don't buy into how we as a country owe the rest of the world because we made ourselves what we are today. All charity, even by a government, is a choice and not an obligation.

 

[Hoodie]

The MAJOR difference in the two areas is that in Detroit there is infrastructure in place and resources available. Once most of the buildings in Detroit are leveled, thousands of people are dead in the street, thousands more are dead in the flattened buildings, there is no access to food, water and all the electricity is gone, THEN we could start comparing the two situations.

The resources exist in Detroit and in the areas struck by Katrina to not only exist on a day-to-day basis but for individuals to get out of the situation. A situation that most Haitians would love to be in at this moment.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I too believe that we need to start helping those in our own "backyard" along with helping those around the world. It is sad that we as a country are willing to help out strangers rather than our own fellow neighbors. Why doesn't Hollywood hold telethons to raise money to help poverty stricken areas in America to help improve the schools and the neiborhood as a whole.