You don’t get the situation in Haiti. This is a country with nothing, no infrastructure, no resources, no raw materials, nothing, nada, zip. Before the quake there was nothing. Now there is less.
These are the most industrious people I have ever met and I have spent some years in Haiti. They slave 14-16 hrs a day for food and shelter, doing whatever they can imagine.
We live in the most comfortable country in the world. Imagine no food, persistent sickness, no shelter, rags for clothing, no transportation, no clean water, and fat grumpy Americans telling you to get off your dead a##.
Now chill out and pay attention.
after the crickets...
I neglected to mention the biggest obstacle to improving Haiti is official corruption. The entire government, the entire business sector and the people themselves are steeped in corruption.
Clinton has done a heroic job of supporting official government corruption. He set up Aristide with enough money to buy the largest estate in the Caribbean. Gave him a personal check for about 15 million to rebuild the power grid. LOL The grid is worse today than it was 25 yrs ago.
A few families own all importation of oil, construction materials (none exist in Haiti), clothing (minus Goodwill containers) and food. These privileged folk live on the mountain side above Petionville in massive walled estates. They are among the wealthiest class in the Caribbean.
It does not end there. The pervasive ethic in Haiti is to get over on anyone and everyone. Families members cheat each other. There is generosity but it is calculated. Starving children are sold by parents or guardians as house slaves.
Missionaries are no better. They are of 2 distinct groups. The first are the traditionalists who maintain grand estates with servants. Their work load is minimal, predicated upon swindling state side parishoners out of donations. They produce grand sounding reports of service to the locals based on a few hours of effort a year.
The second group makes Jesus proud. These blessed Christians become totally immersed in the culture of Haiti and bring the message of salvation to spiritually starving people. They are from many countries, especially the US and South Korea and are a genuine blessing.
Just had to get that off my heart. Thanks for listening... chirp chirp.