Posted on 01/15/2010 4:22:37 AM PST by nuconvert
You knew it was just a matter of time before partisan angles emerged about the disaster in Haiti. The Huffington Post takes umbrage at Rush Limbaugh: "Limbaugh also seems to feel we've done enough already for Haiti: 'We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax.'"
Obviously, when people are struggling to crawl out from rubble and with meager medical systems stretched to the breaking point, you've got to mobilize. But on the facts, Rush is right.
The tale of U.S. foreign aid to Haiti is maddening, as well-meaning Americans dump more and more money to alleviate suffering, only to see little or no actual improvement in the living conditions on the ground.
Since 1973, the United States has been the worlds largest foreign-aid donor to Haiti, which ranks among the worlds poorest countries.
From 1990 to 2005, the U.S. sent $1.46 billion to Haiti in aid from development assistance and children's health through the Economic Support Fund, the U.S. food program, the Peace Corps, and foreign military training (although that was only $4.6 million, with $3 million coming in 1995). More recently,
(Excerpt) Read more at campaignspot.nationalreview.com ...
My suggestions to all people is the following:
1. Don't live on a active fault line or where earthquakes are likely to hit. If you do, expect tragedy and death.
2. If you live on a coastal region or, as in New orleans, beneath sea level, then expect hurricanes, massive flooding, and death.
3. If you choose to live in a flood plain, expect the consequences of your actions.
4. If you live in an area prone to tornados, don't live there unless your willing to accept the consequences of your actions.
5. Don't live near an active volcano. If you do, accept the consequences.
6. Don't build your homes on coastal hillsides where you know annual mudslides destroy them.
7. Don't live in areas where annual fires occur or are set which destroy countless homes.
Just wait, they're coming.
I see that the news is reporting scattered gang fighting is breaking out.
Maybe someone can help..I have tried to google and haven’t found the answers to my questions concerning Haiti. When the news first broke about the quake..there was concern about a tsunami that could possibly arise from the quake...Did the tsunami happen? Also...what kind of damage did the Dominican Republic sustain in this quake? Looking at the map, part of that country is within miles of Port Au Prince. Just wondering how localized this disaster is....we don’t hear about the surrounding areas...was it just the capital that got hit? Thanks for enlightening me.....
I also wonder, WHERE has all the money, U.S. taxpayers been spent? WHERE did it go?
Questions that the entirety of the American people ought to be asking Congress. But then those foreign aid dollars are chump change when compared to the slush fund, oops stimulus money. Questions, questions, questions, and virtually NO answers.
Someone with a brain needs to be in government. I have made this statement on numerous occasions, “we need a sabbatical from the Federal government for one year. Except for funding the military. It would point out a few priorities.
In reality, it would make every state stand on its own two feet, and fund their own budget. Without all the spending in Washington, I think it would be easily done. When welfare stops people start earning their way.
Best thing Rush could do now is set up a Haiti Emergency Fund and bring in millions for those poor folks. He stepped in it this time IMHO.
How disgusting that Katie C. is down there! What the h@!! for!
It's only a guess but I suspect there are a few very wealthy people in Haiti. It's the same everywhere the U.S. government throws our money in aid.
“Did the tsunami happen?”
No, not that I know of. The warning was called off not long after it was issued.
“what kind of damage did the Dominican Republic”
All I’ve heard is that they felt it and had power outages, but no serious damage.
Only a naif would think that Iran is not sending its own missionaries. Look what happened in lawless Chiapas.
That thinking is what’s causing the delays, which is causing more suffering and more likelihood of desperation & chaos.
I believe the distance is like 800 miles away. It’s not 1/2 way around the world. Why not run a “Berlin airlift” food & water drop from Miami to many areas across Haiti? You drop enough stuff and it doesn’t matter if thugs grab some of it.
With all of the money we have poured into Haiti for the last 30 years we should just go in and take the place over.
We contribute to the Salvation Army, and made a special donation for Haiti, knowing that the money will be put to good use.
Can’t say that about other charities.
My church went two days ago and my friend is still there looking for her mom and nephew. They took loads of food and I have to check and see what happened with food ‘other countries DID bring’ there. I know she called me yesterday mad about people selling food aid to others... so mad she was crying.
I’ll get back to you.
Indeed, you’ll love this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Skrg2lrRo
FYI
http://www.islamawareness.net/Fastest/haiti.html
http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=76973&lang=
The obvious solution to the problem is for France to re-take Haiti. It’s quite evident the Haitians are totally unequipped to do it themselves. If that makes me a retro-colonialist, so be it.
Think what you wish.
Starving and thirsty, a female with a baby in her arms trying to make it to a bag of dropped rice as shes trampled and beaten with a couple of thugs taking everthing.
Being inside a food riot is not fun.
If they’d dropped it in the 1st 24 hrs, they wouldn’t be starving & thirty. Drop enough and no food riots are necessary
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.