I see your point. I have two of my own: if the US were going to prepare for natural disasters, it would be our own, not necessarily international disasters. Secondly, I see no reason to punish tragedy-stricken victims just because I don't like the fact that some of my taxes go to welfare and the like. I'm willing to share, particularly with people who are innocent victims of a terrible diaster.
I saw a piece by a writer just today who asked "why is it that we gave Floridians low interest loans after the hurricanes, but we give cash dollar grants to foreigners after this tsunami?"
As to your second point, it is not "punishing" the victims if you fail to give to charity. The money you give will not get to the victims. You need to understand this. It will feed dictators Swiss bank accounts, but it will not get to the victims.
This writer also stated that "Indonesia said that they are unable to reach many islands in remote areas. How is it that your dollars can reach these people if the Indonesian government can't even reach them?"
Think!