Extremely Sad But True - American People vs. Rebuilding Haiti

[Tiggernut_jadie]

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.

Firstly - in what way are the nUK 'doing better' than the US?

Secondly - the US is a far bigger country so why shouldn't they contribute more?

Lastly the UK contribution is actually $30 not $10 SEE HERE which means per head of population we are roughly contributing the same as the US...UK population approx 62 million and US population approx 308.5 million.

 

[krcit]

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.

 

[Poppinsme]

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.

Hollywood has.

Farm Aid.
Katrina Aid. God bless you Brad Pitt.
Audrey Hepburn's charity for all children. We have a wing of our hospital named in her honor.
Chris Reeves charity for spinal injuries. Remember him as Superman?

And many, many, many more.

They don't need a telethon when there name recognition brings in millions for charity. And like other famous millionaires of business who don't give, actors don't have to give either. Its a personal choice.

We all ready give to poverty in our country its called Welfare taxes.

 

[dcentity2000]

To be fair, America's contribution to the ravaged country of Haiti is and was made in good faith and would, in my opinion, be sorely missed.



Rich::

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I will never fault another individual for giving to a person in need, but I do not feel that it is our government's place to give on our behalf. Our government has no money to give. That is our money. They just made a donation for you, if you are a tax payer.

For me, charity always starts at home, and America has one of the most charitable populations in the world. I would like to see government handouts stopped, here and abroad...

 

[KramBerries]

It seems odd to see people getting upset about people trying to help other people. We provide a lot of help and charity both to other Americans and to people around the world. Is there a problem with that? Should we ban all charity for others around the world until we have eradicated all poverty in the our country? Are people in Haiti less human than people in Detroit?

As for which countries are giving what amounts relative to their populations, I'd be careful making too much out of statistics like that. Is that counting all contributions or just government contributions? The US traditionally ranks low on per GDP government spending for foreign aid but very high on per GDP spending from non-government sources.

 

[FireDancer]

I will never fault another individual for giving to a person in need, but I do not feel that it is our government's place to give on our behalf. Our government has no money to give. That is our money. They just made a donation for you, if you are a tax payer.

For me, charity always starts at home, and America has one of the most charitable populations in the world. I would like to see government handouts stopped, here and abroad...

Whenever the "government" doles out money they are giving away our money, not theirs. It isn't only the billions and trillions that get thrown around but when our ships or aircraft are used in these situations it is you and I who are filling those tanks and paying for the personnel.

Taken in that light even if we don't give one cent beyond the man power we are all donating hundreds of millions of dollars just in supplies and time. It effectively mandates the charity since the taxes that go to fund these things sure as heck aren't voluntary. Now, imagine if all that money went to the problems we have here instead of being sent out to the world.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Hollywood has.

Farm Aid.
Katrina Aid. God bless you Brad Pitt.
Audrey Hepburn's charity for all children. We have a wing of our hospital named in her honor.
Chris Reeves charity for spinal injuries. Remember him as Superman?

And many, many, many more.

They don't need a telethon when there name recognition brings in millions for charity. And like other famous millionaires of business who don't give, actors don't have to give either. Its a personal choice.

We all ready give to poverty in our country its called Welfare taxes.

Not to mention the 10s of billions of charitable dollars Americans give to their individual churches, synagogues, and mosques annually.

When a dirt poor country needs our help, and we have the ability to donate, we should do so, if we are so inclined. For someone to complain about another's charitable giving is just plain tacky.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

It seems odd to see people getting upset about people trying to help other people. We provide a lot of help and charity both to other Americans and to people around the world. Is there a problem with that? No.Should we ban all charity for others around the world until we have eradicated all poverty in the our country?IMHO, yes. How can we help others if we ourselves are not whole? Are people in Haiti less human than people in Detroit? Never said that, but we are Americans and our tax money should go to help us 1st.

As for which countries are giving what amounts relative to their populations, I'd be careful making too much out of statistics like that. Is that counting all contributions or just government contributions? The US traditionally ranks low on per GDP government spending for foreign aid but very high on per GDP spending from non-government sources.

Just my op.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Hollywood has.

Farm Aid.
Katrina Aid. God bless you Brad Pitt.
Audrey Hepburn's charity for all children. We have a wing of our hospital named in her honor.
Chris Reeves charity for spinal injuries. Remember him as Superman?

And many, many, many more.

They don't need a telethon when there name recognition brings in millions for charity. And like other famous millionaires of business who don't give, actors don't have to give either. Its a personal choice.

We all ready give to poverty in our country its called Welfare taxes.

Thank you.

Ever hear of Disney's VoluntEars? That is an entertainment-based volunteer group that does nothing EXCEPT help out communities both far and wide, domestic and international.

Not that it is any of your (the collective your, not aiming at anyone) business, but I have $X each week that I have budgeted for charity. I usually choose one of my charities but for one week, I sent it to Haiti instead. So what? Are you nay-sayers saying/telling me where I can/should put my money?

And how much time each week/month/year do you donate of your time to any of our domestic issues?

 

[merryweather20]

As for which countries are giving what amounts relative to their populations, I'd be careful making too much out of statistics like that. Is that counting all contributions or just government contributions? The US traditionally ranks low on per GDP government spending for foreign aid but very high on per GDP spending from non-government sources.

These statistics were needed, in order to be careful. You simply can't make an across the board comparison like previous posters did between the U.S. and other entities without taking size into account at all. I specifically mentioned in the post that they were solely government contributions so there was no need for you to ask.

I can't find up to date statistics for UK and Australia so:

U.S. 447,000,000 308,549,000 1.45
Canada 185,000,000 33,979,000 5.44

The above are of course a moving target.

The European Union is contribution another $330 million with another $91 million coming from its member states. The U.S. and Americans are not alone in their generosity.

 

[honugirl]

Wow, for once I actually agree with Anderson Cooper.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

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.

I agree. My heart and prayers go out to the people of Haiti, but American has plenty of problems right here we need to deal with. As long as US citizens are without jobs, going hungry, and homeless, we need to step up and help them first.

 

[SaraJayne]

It seems odd to see people getting upset about people trying to help other people. We provide a lot of help and charity both to other Americans and to people around the world. Is there a problem with that? Should we ban all charity for others around the world until we have eradicated all poverty in the our country? Are people in Haiti less human than people in Detroit?

IMO, yes.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

IMO, yes.

Wow.

May your country never need others to help out when, say, the levees break in New Orleans. Or there are severe forest fires in California. Or when there are ice storms in New York. Oh, wait. Other countries (Canada, Australia) sent people to help out when your country was in trouble. I doubt that either of those countries could say that they have eradicated poverty and have no social issues of their own to work on. But, I guess that's just what good neighbours do in desperate times. At least, I would hope so.

 

[honugirl]

Wow.

May your country never need others to help out when, say, the levees break in New Orleans. Or there are severe forest fires in California. Or when there are ice storms in New York. Oh, wait. Other countries (Canada, Australia) sent people to help out when your country was in trouble. I doubt that either of those countries could say that they have eradicated poverty and have no social issues of their own to work on. But, I guess that's just what good neighbours do in desperate times. At least, I would hope so.

The difference is that the world isn't asking us to just help in the short term. They are asking us to rebuild the country. We can't afford to do that.

 

[Sanchez]

It seems odd to see people getting upset about people trying to help other people. We provide a lot of help and charity both to other Americans and to people around the world. Is there a problem with that? Should we ban all charity for others around the world until we have eradicated all poverty in the our country? Are people in Haiti less human than people in Detroit?

As for which countries are giving what amounts relative to their populations, I'd be careful making too much out of statistics like that. Is that counting all contributions or just government contributions? The US traditionally ranks low on per GDP government spending for foreign aid but very high on per GDP spending from non-government sources.

I do not think that people are upset about "people trying to help other people." By all means, give as much as you see fit. The problem arises when our government makes the decision to give aid with money that we do not have. Further, many here expressed concern (a legitimate one) that perhaps priorities should lie within our borders. How our problems are solved is a separate argument and one that requires political debate.

 

[MusiqChic99]

Although I agree with the article, it's hard to fully say we shouldn't help others.

Compassion is a good thing...it just needs to be distributed differently...

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

The difference is that the world isn't asking us to just help in the short term. They are asking us to rebuild the country. We can't afford to do that.

No, the world isn't asking YOU to rebuild the country. The world is asking you to help out with a portion of the costs. Believe it or not, other countries are making significant contributions to Haiti relief. Canada alone has donated 135 million to Haiti.

 

[Sanchez]

No, the world isn't asking YOU to rebuild the country. The world is asking you to help out with a portion of the costs. Believe it or not, other countries are making significant contributions to Haiti relief. Canada alone has donated 135 million to Haiti.

And American companies and individuals have made generous donations.