We have used our muscle in the Caribbean Basin dozens of times with no better excuse than the protection of US Corporate rights to exploit resources. Often we invoked the Monroe Doctrine to squelch European competition for these resources. We as a nation continued to exploit Haiti into the Clinton years where he installed Aristede for his own perceived political gains.
Americans have never felt this type of occupation and outside tampering or the degradation that goes with it. It is ironic that so many here on this forum, where one expects or at least hopes to find informed people, have no inkling of the twisted historical relationship between our country and Haiti.
People here actually blame voodoo for Haiti's condition. The truth is that we as a nation have used this smaller, pretty much defenseless country for our own varied purposes. We owe them a helping hand.
What I just wrote is not theory or conjecture or fantasy in support of some prejudice. What I wrote is an accurate snapshot of history. Anyone who wants to reply discussing the facts is welcome. Anyone looking to ignore our history or deny it will be ignored. And, for a pre-emptive record, statement of historical fact is neither anti- nor pro- any position, it is what I said it is, a statement of historical fact.
Haiti was one of the reasons for the coining of the phrase 'Banana Republic'. Now that phrase adorns clothing worn by people who have no idea what it means.
Whether or not Haitis present condition is 'our fault' or that we 'owe them 'something are legitimate subjects for debate I suppose. It seems to me we helpe Haiti run some reasonably legitimate elections around a decade or so ago and then pretty much left them the hell alone.
Noone has yet explained to me why Haiti is such a sewer yet the country right next door, The Dominican Republic, doesn't seem to suffer from the same type of problems.
Right next door isn't even accurate. Haiti and the DR occupy two halfs of the same island.
One of those countries is someplace I wouldn't send a convicted thief to and the other is a tropical tourist paradise complete with really fine cigars.
Oh well. I suppose this time we'll help the Haitians once again hold 'free and fair' elections and them leave them the hell alone until the consequences of 'one person, one vote, one time' rears its ugly head again....
L