Youve got to be kidding me!

[weeder]

I generally stay away from any political topics, because I do not feel knowledgeable enough to comment. However I can have basic feelings regarding political issues. Im sticking my neck out and taking a chance here........... I cannot believe that I turn on the news and hear.." US criticized for not coming through FAST ENOUGH with funds for Asian Tradegy.... What if we didnt comr through at all? I am proud to be a citizen of a compassionate and benevolent country. I have to wonder though... Do we do it only to be popular with the rest of the world? Where does all that money come from? How about giving someone else a chance ? I don think the world knows.... Here in the US we have...
Homeless... starving on the streets
Huge numbers of people who cannott afford medical coverage
Young people who are denied money for college because their parents made 100.00$ too much last year.
A minimum wage that makes living impossibe.

When do you think we will start to help our own?
Isnt there enough glory in it ? Or wouldnt there be enough media coverage?

[willow]

Same here in the UK. We are one of the first to offer help, but criticised cos it wasn't quick enough. How fast do people want it?!

[greydeadhead]

what.. you mean you missed where we are supposed to bail out the rest of the world and not expect anything in return.. silly person.. It is expected of the US. Our problems are minor compared to the rest of the worlds.. right.. right...?? I mean who cares if we have out of control health care expenses.. crappy wages.. homeless people.. starving kids... oops.. hey.. wait a minute.. that almost sounds like the rest of the world ... gasp... okay.. rant over..

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by willow

Same here in the UK. We are one of the first to offer help, but criticised cos it wasn't quick enough. How fast do people want it?!

In this case, immediately there was a problem.... you can see that, surely? It's interesting to see where the criticism came from, and what was actually said, and what was read into it. Taking this aside from any bruised National Egos, perhaps the criticism will actually have helped!

[weeder]

My dad says that we are printing money, that has nothing to back it up. He says that if we continue..we are going to collapse. If this is true... The concept reminds me of buying your kids 75.00 sneakers when the rent isnt paid. Or using a credit card to put in a swimming pool to keep up with the Jonses. Believe me as I said.. I am proud to belong to a compassionate and benevolent country. But you have to give what you HAVE to give. Not manufacture resources to uphold an image. Maybe its the word billions that is boggling my mind. Again I dont understand. Many of the school districts in various states here do not have enough BOOKS for the students. Teachers dip into their own pockets to provide needed supplies.

[weeder]

OOO I just thought of something. This is what I mean. Stick to the budget. If youve got 6 billion and needs here...... send three. because needing it here is a valid reason. make up the difference with hands. Volunteer medical personell, carpenters to rebuild etc...... Is there shame in that?
Two young girls work for me. This Christmas their dad said " I have to give you an IOU for Christmas. I donated everything to the needy ( IN their little town) There wasnt even money for Christmas dinner. To whose glory? This man isnt in a position to give everything he had. Are We?

[willow]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

In this case, immediately there was a problem.... you can see that, surely? It's interesting to see where the criticism came from, and what was actually said, and what was read into it. Taking this aside from any bruised National Egos, perhaps the criticism will actually have helped!

My point is that instead of thanking us for helping, others who have not made the same effort have criticised and said it was not within 0.888888 seconds of the disaster happening.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by willow

My point is that instead of thanking us for helping, others who have not made the same effort have criticised and said it was not within 0.888888 seconds of the disaster happening.

Who was that, then? I was thinking of whatsisname, Annan? the U.N. Sec. Gen.

It does seem a shame that something was not done sooner - I don't know whether this might have been possible, but suspect that there have been missed opportunities. Aid is only even beginning to arrive now.

[willow]

Yes but that is not our fault. We donated straight away, and I myself donated generously without thought or question - but it is not my fault if it does not get there for a week or so. I have done my bit and I will not have my compassion, or that of my country, doubted. It is like our aid has been thrown back in our faces.

[anastrophe]

Note also how perverse is the attitude of the weak toward their benefactors. They feel generosity as oppression; they want to retaliate. They say to their benefactors: "May the day come when you shall be weak and we will send bundles to America."
You do not win the weak by sharing your wealth with them; it will but infect them with greed and resentment. You can win the weak only by sharing your pride, hope, or hatred with them.

--Eric Hoffer, 1954