<p>Guys, I know this is off-topic, but take a look at this organization. They're trying to get the US to cancel Haiti's $1 billion debt. Recovering and reconstructing would go so much better without the debt hindering stuff.</p>
<p>Sign the petition to cancel Haiti's debt! Over 160,000 signed already, and two days ago it was just over 150,000. SCARY AND AWESOME. BE A PART OF THIS! YEAHHH. Takes less than 4 seconds. And thanks! 8) If you already signed, then youu are made of awesomesauce. ONE</a> | Help Haiti: Drop the Debt</p>
<p>I am all for helping Haiti out in whatever way we can, but should we not think of our own country first? Obviosuly the earthquake was a horrible tragedy, and I hope the people of Haiti can fully recover. But Haiti ranks not only as one of the poorest countries in the world, but also as one of the most corrupt. I just feel like the world is in a huge economic recession, and while it’s great to help Haiti in this critical time, we need to remember our country and our needs. </p>
<p>Just thought I would share my opinion on the matter. =) Not that I’m against sending money or supplies to the country or anything; my family has donated a significant amount to relief funds. And my little brother, who is seven, did the sweetest thing yesterday: he made a sign that said “Please donate to Haiti”, grabbed a shoebox, and rode around the neighborhood on his bike with a couple of his friends. He thought of it all on his own, and he collected about $10. I was very proud of him!</p>
<p>Also, there’s really no chance of ever collecting on this “debt” anyway. The whole thing is moot. But if it makes you feel better about yourself and gives you the sense that you are somehow helping - go ahead and sign. It won’t hurt anything.</p>
<p>Actually, neato, ever since this petition began around one week ago, Venezuela canceled their debt on Haiti several days ago. So the world stage is definitely aware and listening And bamagirl, I understand your point of view. Tell your brother to rock on :B</p>
<p>I’m just a little unclear about what the online petition is for. It is directed to the US treasurer and asks for the US to forgive Haiti’s 1B debt. The thing is, I was under the impression that the money owed is to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and as such, the US cannot directly control that. I was also under the impression (and I could certainly be wrong) that the US has already forgiven what Haiti owes directly to the US. This was done several years ago.</p>
<p>Debt forgiveness is certainly a step in the right direction for Haiti. But remember, it has so much more to recover from than just this earthquake. By all means, do whatever you can to alleviate the immediate human suffering. </p>
<p>Do whatever you can to alleviate immediate human suffering.</p>
<p>The situation in Haiti is very complicated. There are decades of damage to undo. Abject poverty like that is not merely the result of natural disasters. But until all that gets put on a the right path…</p>
<p>Do whatever you can to alleviate immediate human suffering.</p>
<p>Help now, ask questions later.
But it is REALLY important to ask the question, “How did it get like this and what can we do to change things for the future.” That is where you can make a difference in the long run. And it’s up to you guys, mainly. I’m optimistic, though! :)</p>
<p>this is not very smart we all donate to Haiti its a little thing called TAXES! canceling their debt would be outlandish and would not be putting America first</p>
<p>how completely uncaring and selfish!!! why is it that all americans think that america needs to be first?? america is not the only country in the world, and haitians are human beings who need and deserve help to. im sure that if it was california that had gone through an earthquake like that you’d be happy to help but since its some random country in the caribbean who cares?? they’re not american so why should we help them. they don’t deserve help from us almighty americans.
its not like their going to be able to pay the debt for the next 100 years anyway!!!</p>
<p>lax4545, I believe that someone with the initials R.L. was roundly and properly criticized for saying exactly the same thing that you’ve just written. Not written - but echoed? In the western hemisphere, America is first - and Haiti was dead last even before this horribly crushing earthquake. Is there a better way to measure the quality of one’s life than by how well one cared for those less fortunate? I think not. Helping Haiti and the Haitians will not take us out of “first place.” It might even improve our standing.</p>
<p>Settle down. Americans are the most generous people in the world. We donate millions privately every time there is a disaster. Less than a million was donated through the text 10 dollars thingy for Katrina and the last time I looked, over 22 million has been donated to haiti thus far with only that means of fundraising. We gave more than any other country after the tsunami. And I’m only talking about what private citizens have given, not the millions and millions in humanitarian aid that the US government doles out. (The US has already forgiven Haitian debt, by the way…a couple of years ago. As well as lifted tariffs. Google HOPE and HOPE II)</p>
<p>If anything, we tend to focus on foreign charity BECAUSE we are so blessed. </p>
<p>I’m sorry if I’m snippy, but it really bothers me when young people call Americans selfish and uncaring. And it’s not just the wealthy who give in America. It’s the little boy riding his bike to collect donations, etc. It’s a part of our culture!</p>
<p>Some good info on basic aid in a fairly neutral format. I’ve been trying to understand Haiti for about ten years, ever since I became involved in Feed the Children. The conditions there are truly heartbreaking.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that was rather harsh and nasty. But having lived in many other countries among many other cultures I can honestly tell you that America is not the most generous country in the world. I could go on, but I will not becuase then I will just get nasty again. The amount of money a country gives does not define its generosity, although the little boy is an amazing example of the good in American people. I know the kind of help Americans (and others) can give because I was growing up in the country when America canceled *****'s debt during their huge famine. I saw the huge trucks full of food being delivered to desparate people funded by donations from people and governments. I know the kind of money and aid Americans give, but as I said money is not what defines generosity.</p>
<p>But that has nothing to do with the OP, I’m sorry.</p>
<p>Well, I have no problem with America, but we are certainly not the most generous people in the world.</p>
<p>“In 2004, as a share of our economy, we ranked second to last, after Italy, among developed countries in government foreign aid. Per capita we each provide fifteen cents a day in official development assistance to poor countries. And it’s not because we were giving to private charities for relief work instead. Such funding increases our average daily donation by just six pennies, to twenty-one cents. It’s also not because Americans were too busy taking care of their own; nearly 18 percent of American children lived in poverty (compared with, say, 8 percent in Sweden).”</p>
<p>Umm, yeah. Sure, when a huge disaster rolls around we are struck with compassion, but for the most part . . . :S</p>
<p>“First-world citizens who are against their country helping Haiti are absolutely appalling, especially if it’s based on not helping their own. I don’t know the status of welfare or public works beyond Medical care in European Nations, but I know that the US has thousands of different fundraisers and organizations from a local to national score in every part of our country. It’s not enough, they’re right, but it’s so much better than Haiti has. There are people here capable of handing out of pocket to a beggar on the street, and other countries can’t say the same. The nation that was already the poorest in its hemisphere is all but leveled and they honestly think that someone sleeping in a shelter should take precedence? It’s neither logical nor humane, it simply doesn’t add up as a tangible thought that anyone could possibly be expressing.”</p>
And bamagirl, I understand your point of view. Tell your brother to rock on :B</p>