How much are we supposed to help Haiti?

[Darla Shine]

The American people have come to the rescue once again. President Obama has donated 100 million dollars to the relief efforts. On top of that the American people as always so generous are texting donations and so far 45 million has been sent. So that is 145 million of American money. On top of that add our airforce, army, national guard, airplanes... etc... I believe we should help and we are. This is why participate with the United Nations.

And I don't want this to come off wrong. God bless the Haitian people and I think we should help them.

But what about our own poor? I wish we could drum up 45 million dollars in donations from Americans to help our own impoverished. I want to know why Katie Couric isn't reporting from the broken homes in Appalacia or the new tent cities in California? Why isn't Diane Sawyer interviewing the new poor in America? Surely the people of Haiti have been attacked by nature and this is an emergency situation. I just hope we learn something about us all in this. That Americans are ready to jump to help other nations, the polar bears, the rain forest, but when it comes to lifting up our own neighbors we look the other way.

And really can our country which is broke, in debt, struggling under this recession and high unemployment continue to come to the rescue of every country in trouble? Can we afford this?

I want to know or ask everyone who has texted money to Haiti if they have sent any money to their local food pantry?

People assume that if you are an American you have it made. And that just isn't always the case.

In our own country we couldn't get water to the people in New Orleans after Katrina hit and babies died on a bridge in the sweltering sun. I will never get over that. To this day, Katrina victims still live in FEMA trailers. Where are their donations?

[jennypenny]

*Sigh*
Why are we so eager to help everyone but our own people? $145 million sure would help a great deal of hungry children, and people who are going to lose their homes.
Like you said, God bless the people of Haiti. My heart goes out, but PLEASE America, lets get our own act together.

[Caliwife]

I was thinking along those same lines...it's the right thing to do to help Haiti. But, what about our own? AND, would other countries be so quick to our aid, if God forbid, something like that happened here?

[sahmto2boys]

we did have something like that happen...Katrina...and where was the help from other countries...and also 9/11..where was the help from the other countries...we helped our own...but thats it.

[shoppingmamma]

I understand what you mean. I have mixed feelings too - to me it's like the airplane emergency - when an airplane goes down you are suppossed to put on YOUR mask before you help others. Is the US mask already on?

When I lived in S FL we got hit two weeks apart with hurricanes - Jeanne and Francis - while it was nothing compared to Katrina or Haiti it was hard to see people living in houses that were destroyed, had blue tarps as their roofs, couldn't afford to fix things, lost jobs, were fighting with FEMA to get the help they deserved or worse yet fighting with their OWN insurance companies to get money owed to them that they were trying to not pay and around this time the Asia Tsunami hit and the US and President Bush sent over $350 million!!!

I think we should help others but at the same time more attention needs to be on what is going on here in our own communities. We need to help our own as well.

[jennypenny]

Yes, where was our $100 million in aid from other countries after Katrina?

[kcsmom76]

I have the same thoughts. We are so screwed up in this country with our priorities. It drives me crazy. It is like the government is so smart it's stupid.

I wish a "regular" American was in office and not a politician.

BTW, I agree that we should help, that is not a problem, but when we can't feed our own people it really gripes me.

[Brittanie]

I personally do not think its right that we continue to give and rebuild countries and feed other countries when they are starving people here and suffering people here also.
Like the flight attendants tell us ... put YOUR OWN air mask on first! We cant keep helping everyone else without doing stuff for our own!

[MumofMany]

America isn't the only country helping out... But I totally understand what you're saying. It's frustrating seeing millions going to aid other countries when there is so much "wrong" in your own.

[miya's mom]

I agree with Darla...God Bless the Haitian people but what about our own. The first thing that came to my mind when I was first hearing about all of this is what about the people who are in New Orleans still in FEMA trailers and those that were left on that bridge to just die. It is so sad when something like this happens but how can we rebuild and take care of other when we can't take care of ourselves as a country?

[judesmama]

I totally agree with you.

[Dana]

I agree with the money part.

What happened in Haiti was horrendous, and as Christians, I believe it is our duty to help, no matter what country, what situation. But, help does not have to be defined by money. Seeing the images of the hurt people, the children... if I could, I would be on a flight down right now to help.

Most of the push is for money, which they need, of course. But, we don't have the extra money to send. So, I've been trying to find ways to help that doesn't involve money.

There is much in our own homes, our own country, that need to be fixed. It seems careless to be spending funds on others when our own country is in bad shape.

But, just as a thought... when is anyone ever in a perfect position to help? When are all the debts paid, people in perfect health, and everyone employed? It isn't going to happen. We talk about how selfish our society has become, how it is all about "me". Well, if we go along with the thought that we have to help our own before we help others, isn't that just as selfish?

And... we do help our own - look at the billions spent on welfare programs, the money spent on the military to protect our own country. Not in just one shot, but over the long course of time.

As the wealthiest country in the world, we should help. But, along with that help there needs to be responsibility. Our country is financially in the crap hole. Families are sacrificing on their own groceries, their own finances in order to send a little something - what is our government sacrificing so they can "afford" what they are sending?

[sahmto2boys]

the money they have received so far....millions upon millions...its still not enough...will it ever be enough? we have many homeless here just in NY...so...why arent we helping ours???? and what about all our food pantries??? shelves are empty...if each american that sent their $10 texts to the ARC sent $10 to the food banks, we'd be alright.
Im just tired as an American, having to bail everyone else out...when we are already in debt.

[sahmto2boys]

dana,they dont want our clothing...our diapers...formula....they want our money..

[Dana]

I understand that. And, I understand the "good thoughts and prayers" only go so far, personally, I am uncomfortable sending money, even if I had it, because I want to be sure that the money is going to actually helping someone, not paying administrative costs. Speaking of which, did anyone see this article about Wyclef Jean's charity? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34887376/ns/entertainment-celebrities/

Anyway.

The point of thought I'm trying to make - you said the money they have received is still not enough. We have many homeless in NY, why aren't we helping ours?

We are, but the same point exists - when is it going to be enough? It isn't. We are never going to eradicate hunger, homelessness, joblessness in our own country, no matter if we help others or not. And, we do help our own, again, through welfare, faith based programs, etc. The ratio of how we help our own through those programs vs. what we are spending in Haiti is probably just a drop in the bucket.

[miya's mom]

dana,they dont want our clothing...our diapers...formula....they want our money..

I agree they only want money. I understand that it is easier for the red cross to purchase the needed items then it is for us to try to have "things" shipped there for them however what I have seen on the news is that they don't feel the food the Red Cross or anyone else that they are recieving is good enough for them. If my family was starving and someone gave us something to eat I would never complain out what it is. I feel from what I seen on tv and yes I know the media can show you only what they want you to see but they seem very ungrateful for the help. Not all but the majority did.

[keltie]

I did text $10 to Haiti and I also agree with what you are saying Darla. One of my New Years Resolutions is to get involved with helping the homeless in MY community. Americans are known throughout the world for their compassion and generosity, and for not being afraid to jump right in with help. It's one of the reasons I am proud to be American.

I think if people just got involved in a local level in their community, that would help a great deal. I am going to take part in what's called the Interfaith Rotating Shelter. All the churches in my area take turns "hosting" a cold weather overnight shelter. They have a website and there are many jobs you can sign up for. I am going to sign up for my family to bring a main dish for 25 a couple times this year. That way, I'm doing something local, and it's going straight to the people who need it.

[shoppingmamma]

I understand Dana what you are saying about when it is enough here and it will never be enough but living in two areas that have been affected by natural disasters I guess that is why I am jaded a bit.

I guess I don't understand when I lived in FL and we had those two hurricanes how it is OK for people to be homeless and unable to fix their homes but yet we send $350 MILLION to the Asian Tsunmai's at around the same time. $5 M could have went a LONG way in our county! President Bush showed up to "tour" the area and hand out water and that was it - it was in the paper time and time again how the county and state were applying for this aid or that one and were TURNED DOWN! It wasn't just home owners but county offices destroyed/damaged, beaches that were all messed up - it was a mess - when we left in Oct 06 which was 2 years after there were STILL areas not rebuilt and people still living with blue tarps on their roofs! To me that is sad!

Now I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa - June 08 we had historic floods - I know you have all heard me talk about it - our downtown was destroyed - many neighborhoods ruined - the thing was that many people didn't have flood insurance as it hit areas that were outside the 100 year flood plan -meaning they NEVER EVER expected a flood or river overflow would ever reach that area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvBJhDgRfe8 That shows how high the water was. Businesses left the area and closed - leaving buildings that are all but falling down. People were left homeless - many leaving the homes as they could no longer live in them but can't afford to fix them - there are STILL neighborhoods that are vacant and falling down - a total eyesore. The city wants to buy them out - giving some of these homeowners a little cash and then they can just bulldoze the area - they were denied federal funding last I read - they keep going back and forth about it - trying to get some funds to do this - otherwise they all just sit there - rotting. There are many people that are still being affected by this - they lost their homes due to the damage, many lost jobs as businesses had to close or leave the area. It's just a mess!!!

I guess that is why I don't understand - I don't understand how areas in our own country can have a natural disaster that creates huge damages and effects many people but the federal government will fight local ones about helping but without batting an eye millions upon millions gets sent to other countries.

[shoppingmamma]

however what I have seen on the news is that they don't feel the food the Red Cross or anyone else that they are recieving is good enough for them. If my family was starving and someone gave us something to eat I would never complain out what it is.

That is RIDICULOUS! And it's not that bad! When we lived in FL and had those hurricanes they came through our area - the first one was the first major one our area had had in like 20 years so there was alot of damages and we lost electricity for 2 weeks! Like 10 days later we got the second one and since there was so much damage from the first we again lost power and it was a mess! (they had to bring in power company workers from others states as the lines were so messed up and destroyed at this point!)

We had a camping stove and would heat up ravoli's, spaghetti from a can and soups and such. It was fine and we weren't hungry but the Red Cross truck did come through one night - our neighbors and us weren't going to take them as we had food but the lady said our street was her last and she'd be throwing them otherwise so we each took a couple to divide up for the kids to have something different - after eating all that canned food for weeks it was like a gourmet meal!!! ;) the kids were thrilled for something different!!! I can't believe how ungrateful some people can be!!! :(

[lauramt]

You know whats sad.... if we do NOTHING, then we get accused of being a horrible selfish country.... if we do to much then our own people suffer. It's a no win situation.

[Valerie]

Ladies, if you want to give someTHING instead of money, I know of one place you can, and it'll go directly to Haiti...

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/

My husband is a United Methodist pastor, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief is already in Haiti working. Of course, they'll take your money and apply it where it needs to go, but they also really need Health Kits right now. It's made up of a hand towel, a washcloth, a toothbrush, and some other things. If you need more info, you can let me know. I'm not invested in this either way, but I know the feeling of wanting to DO something, but there's nothing to do. This is at least SOMETHING, ya know?

[blondemama]

I don't believe their are any easy answers. I have to say (and im embarrassed) i didn't understand how bad Katrina was until i watched documentaries afterwards. I cried watching desperate mothers trying to find water for there half conscious/dehydrated babies.
I think everything seems so difficult. Like what can i do and know it is really helping. Like is my money going to people who really deserve the help or to the pay checks of all the people working for the company or worse yet, lazy poor people. I know that sounds like a lame excuse and i know i don't do my part enough. It is hard work and emotionally draining helping people in desperate situations. You have to research which companies, organizations are the most legit, buy stuff and ship it off, write checks hoping your hard earned money is going where they say it is. We have a Red Cross office here in town and i haven't seen a single advertisement or effort for Haiti. The churches seem to be more on the ball and it kind of bothers me. Like here is Red Cross, United Way, who have been around for awhile and have money, why aren't they more on the ball?
Anyway, i agree with you Darla, we should all put in our "time" and pass on some blessings. Almost every town has charity organizations for women, children, elderly, poor, disabled, disater relief.
If anyone knows of a legit place to mail supplies/money for relief for Haiti please let me know.

.

[josee]

everyone is helping Haiti - and i think others do the same when we are in need. i am sure if there ever is a big disaster in canada - many countries would come to our rescue because we have helped others in the past.

we are talking about human beings who need our help - to me it doesnt matter what country they are from.....you give if you can and you do what you can.

i just keep thinking - what it that was my home? what if that was my son going hungry or being injured?

[mamaof4]

We are donating to Unicef. They are there in Haiti. I agree with Josee if you can give then give no matter if they helped us or not. You are suppose to help people when they are in need. Like I teach my kids , you give not expecting ANYTHING in return...

[Valerie]

I know, again with the UMCOR, but they are sending 100% of any donations straight to work in Haiti. They are not taking any sort of administrative expense out of it. Our church gave the whole offering today.

[mckay2163]

Three organizations that are already on the ground doing good work in Haiti are Samaritan's Purse, Christian-Missionary Alliance, and Food for the Hungry. 100% of your donation will go to helping Haitians.

I agree that we need to help locally on an ongoing basis, but when a tragedy of this magnitude strikes, I think we should all try to help, even though I doubt many would help the U.S.

[shoppingmamma]

Did you see Oprah today? She had Wyclef Jean on and from Haiti a reporter for CNN that is also a doctor. They both said the SAME thing that the airport is FULL of supplies but now 8 days later the people aren't getting them - there is no organization or anyone in charge and stuff is just sitting there ......

[Dana]

Seems the feeling is starting to spread about helping Haiti vs. our own - check out this article

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/25/haiti-is-not-our-long-term-responsibility-detroit-is/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_ac360blog+%28Blog%3 A+AC360%29