Everywhere I look it’s all about Haiti. What about America? Why are Americans so quick to dig in their pockets for another country, yet there are those suffering all over our own country? Have you ever looked into helping your own community?
Our economy has sucked so bad that there are families losing their homes and forced to live in their cars, until that of course is repo’d and taken away from them as well. Why not help them? I am so sick of seeing the tweets on twitter about Haiti. Call me heartless, I don’t care. I’m not heartless. I’m just tired of seeing Americans so quick to want to run and help those in other countries, while turning a blind eye to what is happening here in our own.
Whenever something happens somewhere outside of America there is an outpouring of support. Screw that. Help your fellow Americans. There is plenty to be done here. Focus on America.
What is it? Is it the recognition you feel you will get by giving outside of our own country? Does it make you feel better that your neighbor maybe starving, but you were able to help send a bag of rice to Haiti? Do you feel you are accomplishing more by helping them?
Sorry, not me. All of my efforts and focus go to Americans. There are so many children going without here in our own country….our country. America. Americans. Look around you! If you want something to do…do it here. Make changes here. When was the last time another country came running to our aid?
I guess this is what the starving children in America get……
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I agree with your completely and this is why you haven’t seen me involved in the Haiti movements. I feel terrible, just terrible for them over there but I never understand why Americans are so quick to throw their money to other countries when we have our own struggles here. And do they help their own communities?? I doubt it.
I pray for those people in Haiti but my money will stay here helping the neighbor who’s about to lose their house, or the woman who is working two jobs to feed her kids but is still having trouble getting food to the table, or donating to the local office to help people who have cancer around here.
.-= Lori ´s last blog ..His Work Ethic =-.
I knew there was some great reason I always liked you…. 🙂
I think that helping them during this tradgedy is important, but I do think that we spend too much money in aide outside of the United States. I wish there was a way that we could find a balance between the two. What has been irritating me about the tradedy in Haiti, is that people are posting on Twitter and writing articles that say that if you don’t donate, you are a bad person. I don’t have the money to donate to the cause. That doesn’t make me a bad person. I donate my time to local nonprofits. I donate gently used toys, clothes and household iteams to local charities. I do what I can.
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..Pretty Woman Perfume Giveaway =-.
You know, I really don’t disagree with you. But I don’t think we should turn our backs on such a disaster either. I think it’s human nature to rush to the aid in a disaster, and that’s great. And I think it’s easy to ignore the everyday problems. What do we do about it? I have no idea.
.-= Rhea´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday ~ For Karissa =-.
I have to say I whole heartedly agree with you on this. America is always jumping to aid someone else but where have we been for our own people? Two homes in our 24 home neighborhood have been foreclosed on. Those families with young children are now living in a small apartment and the basement of a family members home. I’m all for helping others but why not start here first.
.-= Frantic Holly´s last blog ..Girls’ Night Out in Calvert =-.
Yep! People love to overlook the fact that tons of jobs here and support go to ILLEGAL ALIENS! Illegal, as in breaking the law, but they can work and get benefits????
I have wondered that same thing. I realize the dire need for lifesaving efforts in Haiti with people buried under the rubble; however, years later a large part of New Orleans remains in ruins. There have been several towns destroyed by tornadoes over the past couple of years that still remain in ruins as well. It would be nice if the US government was willing to put their efforts into a more home-centric plan.
.-= Janessa´s last blog ..I’m Sick of this Damn Tree!! =-.
I totally agree!!
I agree and disagree. I think more agree than disagree.
When the hurricanes hit and leave so many homeless and without, I don’t see other countries running to aid us. In fact most of America don’t even see it. Example- Hurricane Ike. Devastating hurricane. But it disappeared from the national news within a week or two. Did you ever hear about the city named Bridge City. Well, probably not. Let me tell you. The population there is about 10,000. The city was under about 6 feet of water for about a week after the hurricane. Only 6 homes were deemed safe to live in. I did not see world news covering the story. I did not see an outpouring of international help. Shoot, FEMA was hardly to be found. This was not the only city like this. There are still bodies being identified from Crystal Beach. I donate what I can to my communities to help my neighbors. It is hard to be homeless with no one there and no help. America sucks in this aspect. I support Obama, but that $1 million could be used right here for the ones in need.
On the other side. Haiti is all over the world news. It is in everyones face. The pictures are heart wrenching and that makes people give.
.-= Jessica @Riding with Jessica´s last blog ..5 Deals From CellularFactory.com =-.
I think we should help people MINIMALLY but most of THIS COUNTRY’s aid needs to be used IN AMERICA. The state of this country is absolute crap and we need the help badly.
.-= Candy @ Serendipity Mommy´s last blog ..Restock School Supplies for the 2nd Semester GIVEAWAY! =-.
I don’t totally disagree with you but I do believe that at this time Haiti doesn’t have the means to help the hundreds of thousands who are still alive – barely. Then what? Where will they go and what will become of them?
I did a post where people who do want to contribute can find a reputable organization to donate to.
Yes, we need help in our country too, but there are many in our country who can support various charities. Natural disasters are a totally different matter,when seeking foreign aide. Haiti is currently experiencing a natural disaster, and this is what it’s all about.
.-= Cindi @ Moomette’s Magnificents´s last blog ..Haiti Earthquake Humanitarian Effort Needed =-.
I haven’t posted on the situation. YES, it is a tragedy and yes my heart goes out to them BUT…
I do “wonder” what it would be like if this was AMERICA suffering. Would we receive the same help? I don’t know. I really don’t.
It is sad though…
(Just think back to Hurricane Katrina, everyone here (America) was complaining that WE were not doing enough. There was so much backlash from that. People are still out of homes down there. Did other countries help? If so, I never heard much about it.)
.-= Linda´s last blog ..White, Nerdy and pretty HAWT =-.
Hun I completely agree! We need to look at our own poor before we help with theirs. I am all for helping them recover and rescue, even medical help but come on we are setting up text services to raise money. WOW
While I think it’s really awesome that we are helping, and that we should help, I think you hit the nail on the head. How many people HERE don’t know where their next meal will be or where they will go for shelter. I don’t think that the approaches to help the economy here have been all that successful, and it’s sad that our own problems in the US aren’t being addressed.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..General Mills Cereals + Giveaway =-.
I can’t add much to what has been said. I have worked with kids in the “system” and see the devastation going on here as well. One of the first things I thought about what how if this happened to us, no other nation would come to our aid the same way. I don’t think nothing should be done with Haiti but, with a deficit like ours, we don’t really have the funds to come to every country’s aid in time of need.
.-= Melanie B´s last blog ..Winner-Eco Store Giveaway =-.
I don’t agree or disagree with you. I agree with Rhea in that, I don’t turn my back on helping a natural disaster, but I will still help my fellow American, too. I believe there is room to do both.
Right now any tweets you see from me regarding Haiti are my desperate attempts to try to help 2 Americans in Haiti caring for soon-to-be Americanized children in Haiti.
.-= Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting´s last blog ..Baby Dudes Can Play Dress Up, Too, Y’know =-.
I totally, absolutely and totally agree with you. BUT the only thing I would say that would make any sense and of course it’s on a political level which makes it only worth a grain of salt etc – is – with power comes responsibility. I believe that our country, America, is the greatest force on the world. Yes, we have a lot of issues, but we live in a damn good country if you look at as whole, that being said – I think a lot of the help and aid to other countries contributes to the fact that is a political and power thing for the most part. I can’t type exactly what I mean but I can say it LOL. BUT again I agree with you. Absolutely I do.
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..Jon Lajoie #2 =-.
My initial reaction to this was much as yours is. The “problem” with Haiti is that they are so corrupt that the money we are giving them probably won’t even go to the people who need it.
If you pay Federal taxes, some of that goes to Haiti already.
I am sad for the children and the parents who live there and struggle every day. I’m sad for the orphans….but giving money to Haiti this way is a waste.
Now, I’m sure there are organizations that will make sure any donated money goes directly to help the homeless and the orphans…I don’t have as much of a problem with that.
But yeah, right now…why aren’t we giving OUR OWN people $100 million in aid?
.-= Kim @ What’s That Smell?´s last blog ..Kraft, a $1,000 donation and YOU =-.
I too agree and disagree
I have seen this country rally together for her own just as much as they are now for those in Haiti. I think it is human nature to try to help where ever we can. I agree that there are so many struggling here and that plenty need help but I think it goes to the saying “Out of site, out of mind”. It is not broadcasted in our faces everyday like the disasters are. So we tend to turn a blind eye to it.
I also don’t think that means that we should turn a blind eye to those outside of our country that are in desperate need of any help that they can get.
.-= Kelly W´s last blog ..A little vent =-.
I agree with you and on a lot of it. We are always rushing to give aid to other countries before our own. But I think a lot of it is they are wanting to save face and not show how it really is here in America with people living in cars and homes being foreclosed on. And everyone is right whenever there is a disaster here in our country there are NEVER any other countries assisting us. We have to depend on our own country and even that is half ass assistance. And it is very aggravating that when something happens somewhere else the U.S. always is the first on the bandwagon for giving help. I know most have this has already been said and I am just repeating. But I agree that it is a disaster and they do need help but is it our job to provide all of it?
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..My Crazy Dog =-.
I agree on some level, however this was an unforeseen natural disaster that killed over 100,000 people in such a poor country. Without any help 100’s of thousands more people would die, including innocent children. I don’t know how anyone could turn their back and say not to help people when they so desperately need it no matter where they live.
.-= Stef @ Mommy Musings´s last blog ..Gaylord Palms – So Much More than a Convention Hotel =-.
I have to agree. Not only that, but where are we (as a government) pulling the money out of our asses to help? If there isn’t money to fund programs here, how can we help abroad? I think the politicians should get out of the way and allow the aid agencies where this is what they do get in there and help the people they can. Isn’t this why we have international aid agencies?
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Falling Through The Cracks =-.
I think people conveniently turn a blind eye to people who are suffering in their own backyards.
Life is so much easier and prettier if we stay out of the bad neighborhoods and pretend that all the children that our kids go to school with are well fed and well loved and life is shiny and happy here in Our Town, USA.
When that happens, it’s almost as if it doesn’t exist anywhere in the Good Old US of A.
But then when icky yucky dirty poor countries are all over the five o’clock news, we go in an uproar and start sending our dollars to people down there.
I think that we need to think globally (yes, I sent $5 down to Haiti) but act locally.
MLK, Jr day is two days away. Is everybody doing a day of service? If not, check your local papers and pick something worthwhile to do in your community. You and your neighbors will be glad you did.
(I like the slogan, “it’s not a day off, it’s a day ON”
My husband and I was just talking about this, this morning. I did not see noone coming to the aid of USA when Katrina hit or when the twin towers got hit. BUT WTF are we the ones to always dish out money when shit like this happens else where? I guess we are not good enough for our own country instead they want our money to help those who could give a rats ass about us.
.-= Jammie´s last blog ..Time to think about remodeling =-.
Jammie, Canadians came in spades to help out after both 911 and Katrina. Not to mention California wild fires and many many other events.
I think the problem lies in the way wealth is distributed between the very rich and the very poor. Sure, there are people loosing their homes…and there are also people with three Escalades in their driveways. I don’t understand how people aren’t ashamed to have that much excess when so many have so little. It’s those people who should be working hard to make a difference instead of shopping online for another designer handbag. People just don’t appreciate what they have and keep their eyes closed as to what others do not have.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Weekly Inspiration – Jan 11th =-.
I agree with you and Even though all my friends wouldn’t understand I have not said anything on the topic, I just try to stay away from the whole topic
I know that many in the USA are facing very difficut, even desperate, times, but that’s no reason to turn our backs on our neighbors in the larger world.
I live in WV, so I know all about poverty and loss. I also know all about cutting the budget just a little more to help others. We donate to the local food bank, the library, the volunteer fire department and the humane society.
When one of our neighbors has troubles, we give cash, attend fundraising dinners (often WV’s famous delicacy: soup beans and corn bread), pitch in by helping get work done if that’s what’s needed.
And we’re poor. And we’re happy to help, here and across the water.
Plenty of other nations stepped forward and offered help after Katrina. Our government rejected most offers, accepted some and used even less. Check it out for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina .
Venezuela even subsidizes heating oil for some of the poor in the USA. Now, their president does it to humiliate our government, but none the less, when our citizens have to choose between freezing or accepting their help, what do you think they choose to do? http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/59215.html
So, so far this month, we’ve cut our budget to make a modest donation to help relief work in Haiti, and we’re going to have to try to find a way to cut it a little more (darn if I can figure how yet, but I will) because one of two buildings at our county’s humane society burned to the ground (and sadly, all 50 or so animals inside died – the fire happened overnight, and we’re pretty rural here). They’ll rebuild, and we’ll help as we can.
One of the most moving parts of the old movie “Gone With The Wind” is when Melody explains to Scarlet that she’s helping a wounded northern enemy soldier because she hopes that a woman, an enemy stranger, somewhere up north would help her husband if he was injured in battle.
And that’s part of why we help – because maybe some day someone we love will need help, and a stranger will cut her budget to help our loved one, our “little girl trapped in the rubble.”
I don’t understand how anyone can look at the images coming out of Haiti and then say we should turn our back on them. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but it sure does make me very, very sad that folks think your way.
Very well said Deborah. It’s sad that people want to turn their backs on hundreds of thousands of people dying, starving, suffering and trying to survive in a country that was devistated by a natural disaster. So what if they were poor to begin with. What if it was you, wouldn’t you want the help? What if it was someone you loved, wouldn’t you want someone to give so they could have a meal? They lost everything, what little they had, and people are complaining that we’re helping them???? I just don’t get it. Helping is the right thing to do and I for one am proud that the good ole’ US of A is helping out so much. I don’t think most people understand the magnitude of what happened in Haiti. It’s sad – very, very sad.
Thank you Deborah for your sacrifice to your community and to anyone else who NEEDS it.
God bless you.
Oh Brandy – thank you. I see all around me people who are losing their homes, no jobs, etc. It’s HORRIBLE. You’re right…no one is running to their aid. Yes, what happened in Haiti was a horrible disaster and if I had family there I might feel differently than I do. If there is money to be sent THERE, then there is MONEY to help those here in the states.
.-= Zippy´s last blog ..DVD Reviews: 10 Things I Hate About You (Blu-Ray) =-.
America is the most generous nation on the planet.. we are always the 1st to respond… mostly because we are large… and yes we do have many resources & places to help our own, but many still do not get help… it is like we turn a blind eye to what we see every day…
I donate what I can, mostly to local charities, and sometimes it can only be some used clothing or something from my mostly empty pantry… but we still try to help our neighbors… Haiti is small, and used to foreign aide already… and the ones that need it, most likely won’t see it…
a lot like here at home… I think what works best is the local charities that personally go out & help or people can come to them… forget the big organizations… to much goes in the top big wigs pockets…
I was just talking about this very topic with my husband yesterday. It sickens me to believe that some care so much about other countries, yet neglect our own.
How many people who commented against haiti have donated to their local homeless, volunteered in local shelters, or fed someone who was hungry in their own town in the last 30 days?
Should not throw stones at glass houses.
Trisha
.-= trisha´s last blog ..Lane Kiffin, the former TN Vols Coach, is a Sellout =-.
Actually Trisha, we do. I would not have posted it if I didn’t. My daughter and I actually volunteer a tthe food bank. We also do community service. There is a lot of info about it on my site.
Right, so do I. I am very big on helping locally monthly. But if people are being honest, i bet most have not done something for their own city in the past month (outside of like dropping some pennies in some christmas charity bucket).
My point is we are all human period. Where we live should have no bearing on our ability, need, or want to help someone in a time of crisis. Thats like when you say “im not giving someone cash because they might buy liquor”. You have to give to give. Not give with restrictions.
America is one of the few countries that atleast tries not to be racist or sexist, therefore putting an application to who we should help and why seems quite opposite of what we stand for. The truth is, even our homeless are more blessed then countries like Haiti.
Its a 3rd world country and its terrible, even before this disaster.
We need to learn to come together as the world, not as a country. Until then, there will always be wars, always be people dying from things as simple as dirty water, and as a whole, we hold ourselves back from growth as the human race if we cant see beyond our own backyard.
~trisha
.-= trisha´s last blog ..Lane Kiffin, the former TN Vols Coach, is a Sellout =-.
We do too…..I know what it’s like to go hungry, I know what it’s like to spend nights in the car. I also help with meals on wheels, any local fundraisers, and I still donate to the breast cancer foundation, skin cancer foundation, and feeding america.
😉
.-= Lori´s last blog ..His Work Ethic =-.
I do! We always Have I would rather my money and support and time go to someone Here. But I agree If everyone would do that in their own town we could do a lot more.
.-= jen´s last blog ..sweeping saturdays 1/16/2010 =-.
We do as well even if I do not really have it to give. I also donate to those things at the cash register for different childrens hospitals an such even if it is my LAST dollar.
.-= Jammie´s last blog ..Time to think about remodeling =-.
Thank you. It’s nice to find interesting blog conversations. I do believe we need to help others in their time of need. But even more so, there are many Americans that need help. I spent many years working with the elderly. What about those that live in cramped nursing homes that are hopelessly understaffed? They don’t have a cute little face to get donations and fund-raisers.
I do agree that we should help our fellow Americans. However, one of my friends has 20 confirmed deaths in his family, and more relatives missing, injured and homeless. One of his uncles lost all 4 of his children…a whole generation wiped out in one day. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and suffering they are going through right now, and the helplessness the families in America must be feeling. If that was my family, I would hope people would be generous enough to help.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Skin MD Natural Valentine’s Day Giveaway Event =-.
I suppose I’m among the minority who disagree. I don’t think you’re heartless by any stretch, as I’ve seen the exact opposite, and I totally understand where you’re coming from. But at the same time, I can’t help but think that it’s shortsighted to not want to extend a little extra help, above and beyond what you already do here in America, so that men, women, and children have some degree of comfort.
Tens of thousands killed, more wounded, houses and communities leveled. This isn’t a social call to provide handouts to the downtrodden. This is a call to be a Godsend to devastated human beings affected by something completely outside their control.
I was initially going to post my reply here but realized its length was absurd, lol, so I’ve posted it in my blog. Again, I see your point and appreciate your feelings on the matter, but I don’t think lending a little help there means you’re ignoring the needs here.
.-= Greg – Telling Dad´s last blog ..Sick of Hearing About Haiti =-.
I am the minority here, but I have donated to Haiti. I guess I have less of an us vs them kind of attitude about it. People are suffering. I want to help. I did. There’s no reason that donating money to people of Haiti (or any other foreign country) prevents me from donating my time or money locally as well.
.-= Kate @ The Shopping Mama´s last blog ..dadoo kids Review, Discount + Giveaway =-.
I agree with you Kate,Greg and Trisha. I try to give locally and help anyone I can when I can. It doesn’t matter if you are in my backyard or in another country. When people are suffering and I know about it and there is something that I can do to help, I will.
The devastation there is horrific and I wouldn’t use a “help us before you help them” kind of attitude. I do understand where you are coming from and it is sad how our nation is suffering in a different way. But I don’t think you can compare our struggles to their current situation. In general there are resources available to the homeless and those in need. I’m not aware of people in the US who are starving to death, no access to water, in desperate need of medical attention and absolutely no where to go. And if I found out there were you can bet I’d help.
I can’t imagine turning away from others in a time of great need because our economy isn’t great. What kind of people would we be to say we can’t help you Haiti, sorry? If the US has to step up and help in any major disaster in the world to prevent more deaths and help those who are dying/suffering that is what we do and I’m proud of it. The idea of giving is to do it selflessly because it is the right thing to do.
.-= Emilie´s last blog ..Kitchen Hood Dreaming… =-.
I don’t think you’re wrong for wanting to help people in America, but Haiti has experienced a natural disaster through no fault of the citizens and anyone who happened to be there at the time.
From your example, if a car is repossessed, that means that the person “living in” the car wasn’t paying for it. Are they supposed to get a free car? What about not having a car loan in the first place? I can’t possibly compare someone’s plight due to taking on too much debt to another who experienced a horrible earthquake in an impoverished country. Sorry, I think it’s comparing apples and oranges.
.-= marybeth @ http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last blog ..Cloud B Sleep Sheep, Twilight Constellation Night Light Up to 47% Off, Free Shipping =-.
The person living in the car isn’t paying for the car because they lost jobs due to the ECONOMY of America,but yet our country can send HOW Much money to Haiti? It’s not comparing apples to oranges, it’s picking which looks better. Oh and now the ILLEGAL people from HAITI get special protection and can WORK here? Yea, go read about that and come back and tell me I am wrong…
Free car(??), try to see the WHOLE picture.
Yeah I don’t get why some parents will be like eat your dinner there’s starving kids in CHINA!!!
There’s a movement to radically change California government, by getting rid of career politicians and chopping their salaries in half. A group known as Citizens for California Reform wants to make the California legislature a part time time job, just like it was until 1966.
http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com