By way of background, the nation of Haiti experienced a 7.0 earthquake last week that resulted in massive devastation and death on an order that is not only incomprehensible, but improbable, from within the Western World, most especially America. As could have been easily predicted, the United States federal government, along with a large number of rich corporations, ran to the aid of the collapsed country within mere hours of the onset of the disaster, while millions of individuals from within the country donated a substantial sum when considered in total – all in the midst of the Great Recession. There is, however, a major problem with this situation: the federal government seems entirely willing to move millions of dollars in aid and resources at a moment’s notice to a foreign country with virtually no prior ties, but will not, or cannot, solve domestic problems a noticeable degree of magnitude smaller.
Haiti was a nation that did not particularly like the Western World, and contained millions of citizens that reached far beyond the upper limits of the poverty line. Entire cities were only slightly better than shantytowns, there were only the most limited of public services, and extreme corruption existed within almost all levels of its government. This was a country that existed on a major tectonic fault line, but ignored the danger implicit in such a position – as a result, the government has both physically and metaphorically collapsed, hundreds of thousands of people within its borders are now dead or injured, and anarchy is beginning to rise out of the ashes. As sad as the situation may be, this is not a natural disaster – it is a crime of supreme and willful negligence that substantially exacerbated a foreseeable situation.
If Haiti had prepared, in any fashion, for an earthquake, the situation would not be so dire – even if the only preparation was to sequester food and water for emergencies, or to have a contingency plan in place for such an occasion. This, quite obviously, did not happen and has brought the country and its people to the ruinous point at which they currently stand. The fact that the United States came running so quickly to its aid is questionable at best, despicable at worst: for the last few decades, the federal government has operated on the policy that any and all disasters could, and should, be solved by intervention. The majority of Africa, a portion of the Middle East, parts of Asia, countless South American countries, and now Haiti can all lay claim to “big brother America” riding in on a white horse to save the day with money, food, water, and manpower, but New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina cannot.
What is wrong with this picture? The answer should be immediately obvious to any and all observers of the ongoing situation, no matter how impassioned or emotional they may be. When somewhere close to half of the world does not want the assistance, or even presence, of America during the course of normal operations, why, then, should they be aided in times of distress? There are no ethical qualms about aiding allies when necessary, and if England were to be attacked by a fast-moving and unnoticed glacier from farther north, there should be no doubt that the United States would rightly rally to assist. However, the government has no business spending the nation’s money on foreign affairs that do not effect its people’s future in any fashion, as a poor nation with no interest in its benefactors does not advance the cause of anyone but those who receive said aid.
America is in the midst of several crises, none of which have been solved or even adequately addressed: the Great Recession still continues, no matter what Ben Bernanke wishes to claim; the institutions that were largely behind the collapse, and subsequent job losses, still run free and rampant; healthcare reform remains unimplemented, with its best hope being a questionable reform status; the military engagement in Afghanistan continues, along with the cleanup of Iraq; the nation’s infrastructure is crumbling around the feet of its people; the number of unemployed, impoverished, underfed, underprivileged, and uneducated continues to rise beyond tolerable limits; secularist society appears threatened by a resurgence of religious dependence; highly polarized and vitriolic politics continue to rend the nation into distinct factions and pieces – the list continues at great length. With all of these issues unsolved, why should money that is, in tandem, both funded by taxes and deficit spending be expended to solve someone else’s problems that have nothing to do with the country, not even tangentially?
Suggesting to ignore the plight of those around the world is not a popular position to take, especially in the midst of an ongoing disaster, but it is an important one to be taken, so long as there are valid reasons. The United States has a famously short-term and selective memory, where Haiti has become all-important, while so many other crises exist, and have for years, around the world – this is merely the latest headline-grabbing tearjearker to grab the nation’s wallets. It is important to note that criticizing America’s aid to Haiti is not political: President Obama is not acting out of self-serving reasons, there is no great conspiracy, and God/Allah/Shiva had nothing to do with the earthquake. This is simply the understandably reasonable plea for the allocation of funds, effort, political will, and, most of all, attention to issues at home before issues abroad.
The United States will not be able to prop up nations or people, when such disasters occur in the future, if it does not continue to exist as it has over the last century. Comparative prosperity notwithstanding, America is a nation in significant trouble that can simply not afford to invest resources, of any kind, in arenas that will never reciprocate or even result in mutually beneficial arrangements. Had the last two decades proceeded differently – with respect to deregulation, federal spending, and generally addressing domestic issues - such assistance would not be so crucial an issue.
History, however, is as it is, and America is not the world’s savior – it’s time to spread the message.
From Kyle Brady…..
Kyle can be found on his blog, via email, or on Twitter.
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The problem with what you are saying, which makes sense at its most fundamental level, is that your country acts like the savior, police, babysitter etc of the world, even as you read these words. In Obama’s Nobel acceptance speech he alluded to the fact that Europe enjoys its security even today because of the United States. A global networked police force ready to jump on a moments notice, but just as long as it suits your needs, thats what your country has strived for and succeeded in doing. Not our savior? Yah no shit. America saves only itself.
Nobody wants America to be our savior. Why are you in Afghanistan? Why are you in Iraq? Why are you on military bases across more than 150 countries? Why are you installing or deposing presidents? Why? Its because your government thinks its the Savior. End of Story. Thank God if this changes, but I dont think it will.
What are the hell are you talking about??? Invading, occupying or setting up military bases with thousands of soldiers and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons, bases that most times are more powerful than that country’s own domestic military, is a far cry from asking or even expecting assitance in a time of need. So what you’re saying is either we accept your presence or we dont deserve your help?? Go screw yourself.
The comment up above says it all. Although you may not have intended it as such, this segment of your peice was offensive, regardless of anything you said afterwards:
“The answer should be immediately obvious to any and all observers of the ongoing situation, no matter how impassioned or emotional they may be. When somewhere close to half of the world does not want the assistance, or even presence, of America during the course of normal operations, why, then, should they be aided in times of distress?”
If it is not obvious to me than am I not intelligent? Because its not. An air of arrogance surrounds these words, as they often do when coming from inside the United States.
If you’re not our savior then please… just get out.
You’re blaming the poorest counrty in the Western hemisphere for not being preapred enough?? Were you out for beers with Roberston and Limbaugh lately?
I got news for you. No one thinks America is the savior of the world. They, along with Israel, are more like the most manipulative country in the world. Good people in America, but so many are like sheep, following anything they are told about the rest of the world. And you cant blame them, even Colin Poweel fell for it. And then your governments come in, one after another, and set forth THEIR agendas, not the American people’s, nevermind the rest of the world. God Bless America.
We certainly do spend too much money outside our own borders, as do the other G7 nations. I read once that millions were spent on saving the Black Rhino in Africa, while people at home couldnt get health care, go to college or are even homeless. Priorities have to change, especially in these times. Military spending could also be cut. My children will be paying off the debt of these last six years of warfare long after Im gone.
Ouch, tough crowd. Well as the name suggests, Im from up North and Canada is kinda like the quiet younger brother to United States. As our older brother, you’re the loud, successful, self-involved star of the North American family. You get most of the attention, but it also means you catch a lot of shit! I will say this intentions are mostly good, but the United States as a country overall does not have enough perspective of what goes on outside its own borders, sometimes frightfully so and as a rule are not socially conscious.
There’s a show here in Canada where they go around to different parts of States and ask the easiest questions about Canada. Virtually no one can answer and most see us as this “Socialist Block of Ice.” And countries on the other side of the planet wonder why the United States doesnt understand them?? Most cant name more than a single province, our Prime Minister, our confederation date, our capital city and and and… How can people in the Middle East expect them to understand the textual nuance of culture and religion???
As stated above, American people are good people, with big hearts and generous spirits. The problem is ten of millions of registered voters havent got a clue, making the country like a big dumb puppy dog.
Overall, the United States has done far more good for its people and the world, than it has done bad. They are leaders in education, medicine, scientifiic research and so much more. They have provided security to those in danger and they supply more aid around the world than any other country on the planet.
The problem is that the damage done by the Bush Presidency wil take at least a generation to undue. This and the seemingly unconditional alliance with Israel, a country that many in the world have began to look at differently since the massacre in Gaza, results in much of what you see in response to your article. It’s up to the latest generation of Americans to deal with this mess, not to mention the financial upheavel. There is much work to be done and as a world leader, it needs to be done right. Because no matter what anyone says, so many count on America to do the right thing.
Your ponits are well made but when you speak of American Foriegn Policy, you can’t NOT include military action. This is the backbone of how they operate around the world, even if in assitance.
You’re also right about wanting America to be the savior. The Middle East is a perfect example as many in the region look to the States to see what they will do for them. They will blame if actions fail, not give credit when they succeed. But I dont feel sorry for the States. Such is the role of any leader and that is no doubt what they are and want to be.
You are right, America is weaker now than it had been and is not the superpwer it once was. The country is in decline. It needs to pull back on aid, pull back on war, pull back on a lot of things. Its time for others to take over.
There’s no doubt that the United States cannot afford to spend like it has, and in fact is, at the moment. After a term that saw his own team turn on him or turn coward, Obama has to start over. He inherited such a mess and such a large portion of the country cannot stand the fact that he is black that I think he will not be the one to do whats need to be done, but not for his lack of will, ability or intelligence. He is not being allowed to operate at the levels he needs to due to the color of his skin.