Replies

I happen to agree with this...so many are so quick to demand the USA send aid...but whoa, whose money is it? Besides, send material aid and liberals, not cash. And only to those countries who have sided with us in the War on Terror...

NOT BUSH'S TO GIVE

"The UN's Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs has criticized the USA for only giving $15 million to the effort to help those effected by the quake and tsunami. I have to admit that when I heard on the radio yesterday that Colin Powell had announced that each of the affected countries would immediately receive $100,000, that it was the smallest amount of money I had ever heard mentioned in the same sentence with the words 'United States.' I mean that is less than a loaded Hummer. But then I remembered the old Davy Crockett story where-in Congressman Davy voted against giving aid to the victims of a Washington, DC fire because it wasn't his to give.

"I think this would be a great time for Bush to announce that he could not give anything from the country, as the country itself has no legitimate authority to dispense monies for those kinds of purposes. I bet if he then asked the American people to do what they could, the folks in Sri Lanka and Sumatra would see the real spirit of American generosity.

"I guess I have finally become dependent on the government myself. When I imagine the horror experienced by those who survived the events I want to help. Then I hear my government is going to do it for me and I think 'Great, I already gave....on April 15th.' Then I realize all over again that when the government does it one is never sure it will be done right."

- News & Views reader Dr. Michael E. Clifford of Las Vegas, NV (Editor's Note: If you haven't done so recently, go to www.citizenoutreach.com and click on the "Not Yours To Give" button to read the Davy Crockett story Dr. Clifford refers to above)

FOUNDING WISDOM

"Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government."

- James Madison

SURVEY SAYS!

Should President Bush provide financial disaster aid to tsunami victims directly from the U.S. treasury...or make a public appeal for Americans to donate voluntarily to private relief efforts?

* Give the money from the government treasury
* Ask for voluntary, personal donations
* Huh?

Cast your vote by clicking the "Survey Says!" tab at www.citizenoutreach.com

Should President Bush provide financial disaster aid to tsunami victims directly from the U.S. treasury...or make a public appeal for Americans to donate voluntarily to private relief efforts?
Give the money from the government treasury
7%
Ask for voluntary, personal donations
90%
Huh?
3%
Total Votes: 178