[Goodgirlinred]

By doing so the president has made the United States "look good" if you want to put it that way. You may express your individual good will by donating personally to any number of private organizations as millions of people all over the world have done, even though their governments have spent their tax dollars to make their governments "look good" as you so cynically put it. I personally feel that it is human generosity and concern born out of the horror generated by the enormity of such a disaster and the tragedy of so much human loss and suffering.

[Zon]

My post was not cynical. It was an identification of facts. That's all.

If politicians and bureaucrats -- government -- were honest and honestly respected the citizens they would not usurp the pride and compassion the citizens gain by giving aid. The citizens would have given that -- $350 million -- and more and each person would have gained at a very personal level. See post 29