As most typical liberals forget, the reason Chile has enforceable building codes is because it is wealthier. If you forced such rigorous building codes in Haiti probably 90% of the population would be homeless.
The Chile quake provides all the more reason to demand that, in return for billions of dollars in aid, Haiti must agree to terms that will force it to improve its abysmal governance. "
Yeah right that will happen. It is going to take a Haitian version of Pinochet or making Haiti a de-facto colony of the US for generations to overturn 2 centuries of a corrupt political culture.
Wrong. It's the other way around: Chile is more developed because it's doing things right. The same goes for Brazil, Uruguay, Costa Rica and a handful of other Latin American and Caribbean nations that have decided in the 21st century to stop running their societies like medieval fiefdoms. They've conceded that niceties like rule of law, accountability, education, entrepreneurial opportunity and administrative efficiency actually have merit. And they've stopped making worn-out excuses, like the threats of communism or U.S. imperialism, for not modernizing their political and economic systems.
Kudos for pointing that out.
But those who doubt Haiti's ability to transform its government should note that Chile wasn't always an OECD candidate — it spent 17 years, from 1973 to 1990, under a brutal military dictatorship — and that Haitians are more than capable of emulating Chileans if given the chance.
The author fails to mention it was during the Pinochet years Chile was taken on the path to become the most developed country in Latin America.
Haiti does not have a pot to spit in (ok they are really really poor). Chile is not a poor country and even said to everyone - Don’t send anything right now. Yes two different earthquakes but significantly different situations. I doubt highly that San Francisco was looking for aid when they had the earthquake in what? 1994? Anyway rich countries don’t need as much aid as poor ones. In fact, Haiti is towards the bottom with regards to pay per capita. However, soon the United States will be requesting debt relief for our country....I want to see that today quite frankly.
Chile is the best run country in Latin America, thanks to Pinochet. Privatized social security and on and on. Argentina and Venezuela are socialist dumps. Brazil only saving grace is energy.
Haiti has always been a disaster and a welfare state.
That sounds pretty neat to me.
I wonder when the United States will pick up on that (again).
The biggest difference is REBAR.
I don’t think people should give up on Haiti ever reforming. Look at all the liberals who said Bush was unrealistic in thinking that democracy could ever work in Iraq. It might, actually. It’s really improving there.
in all fairness the epicenter of the quakes were far different in proximity to populations and easily disturbed hillsides and mucky alluvial bottoms on the lower parts
it wasn’t just codes though that is a factor
many folks in Port Au Prince who perished were in single story homes
My brother in law lives in Santiago. The earthquake registered 7.2 in Santiago.
He has kept in touch by phone and email since 6am the day of the earthquake.
He recognizes that they faired much better than Haiti. He notes that building damage was rare in his area. There is still concern for secondary hazards (downed power lines, traffic snarls due to the collapse of a major highway section) and there will be a big mess to clean up inside people’s homes.
But clearly Chile’s building standards and infrastructure have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. And the stability of the Chilean government was a big factor in providing a response to the injured and homeless.
Libtard logic.
“It is going to take a Haitian version of Pinochet or making Haiti a de-facto colony of the US for generations to overturn 2 centuries of a corrupt political culture.”
The US is Haiti in 2 generations if we don’t get this ship turned around.
I know it’s not important, but does anyone else think it sounds silly for people with completely American accents to suddenly begin pronouncing Chile as Cheelay? I realize it’s likely how it is pronounced there, but it sounds kind of ridiculous. It was sort of funny on Fox because initially one of the female anchors was saying Chile, and a little later I noticed her saying Cheelay, like someone had said, “Hey, you sound like an American, stop that!” ;)
What?...they don't need movie stars treating them like pets?
What?...they just need a helping hand up?...not a hand OUT?
If we annexed Haiti, would we spend more money, both in government aid and private donation, than we do now?
If we annexed Haiti, at least we would gain more oversight in how the money we give them is spent.