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The United States has committed $35 million plus 12 ships to this effort (with an operating cost of perhaps $10 million for this operation). This works out to about a nickel a citizen.

A lot of good can be accomplished if things get to the troubled spots NOW, rather than waiting for fundraising to be accomplished. For example, if clean water sources can be established before Cholera becomes rampant, then a lot of lives will be saved.

President Bush has urged Americans to make private donations. I expect the private donations to absolutely dwarf the initial government donation.

The relatively small initial contribution of money from the government means that the money that I personnally donated will go to food and shelter rather than battling an outbreak of diseases.

IOW, Bush is making efficient use of my charitable contribution.

Idiot Libertarians.

I pray you are correct about private donations. My husband and I have already contributed to the fund set up by the Salvation Army, but we are the only ones I know who have done so. Many Americans are too self-centered to worry much about people on the other side of the planet.

Those of us who realize the depth of this disaster will have to carry the load for the rest of them. I'm willing.

The United States has committed $35 million plus 12 ships to this effort (with an operating cost of perhaps $10 million for this operation). This works out to about a nickel a citizen.

Ah...so theft is OK, as long as you just steal a little?

A lot of good can be accomplished if things get to the troubled spots NOW, rather than waiting for fundraising to be accomplished.>>

I will put aside for a moment the issue of whether one agrees on the MORALITY of the government taking money by taxation and disbursing it in a manner it has no legal (read "Constitutional") right to do.

The premise of your statement that the US Gov't is more efficient and speedy than the public in raising and disbursing funds than private organizations has to win some sort of idiot prize. I am sure you are intelligent, and just responding out of emotion and genuine sympathy for the plight of those poor people, but that is what emotion and handwringing does in times of extremity. It makes people who are otherwise prudent and wise in charitable giving to endorse sheer stupidity in fear of being thought heartless.

If you really believe your premise, I suggest you make a donation to the US Treasury with a notation on the check that it is for "Sumatra Relief" and ask them to track how much of the money gets there, and how quickly. (hint: World Vision will do precisely that for you).
Private charities such as Samaritan's Purse, World Vision, CARE, The Salvation Army, Red Cross/Red Crescent, Oxfam, and even my own private charitable trust here in Durham NC are FAR more efficient than any government in getting funds disbursed to who needs them.