There is a status people are putting up on Facebook saying shame on Americans for helping the people of Haiti because there are people who need help in the US. I must respond to this!
Wow, Americans are being shamed because they donated to help a country DEVISTATED by a natural disaster. Where 100s of thousands are STILL buried in the rubble. There ARE millions of Americans that live on or below the poverty line, however there are many people who not only donate $, but also volunteer to help correct that horrible situation. What keeps our people in poverty is the government and politicians who are in special interest's pockets and the constituents who put them there. We live in a country with the mentality of instant gratification - "fix/change it NOW". The politicians who are actually trying to fix things aren't given enough time to put programs into place or those programs aren't given enough time to truly work.
I wholeheartedly agree that more can be done at home to help Americans who need it, but the way to do it is NOT to chastise those who so graciously gave to help these people, many of whom live in poverty just as those in America do. I work for an agency that's sole purpose is to help those in poverty get out of it. I, myself know the taste of government cheese, free lunch and grew up knowing the difference between a food stamp and real money. We all already give money to help end poverty in this country...it's called taxes, the problem is we don't allow our government to spend it on the programs that are needed to fight the problem. When the government wants to do something like say, oh a PUBLIC OPTION for healthcare, they are shot down by the people because it's just too 'socialist'. Never mind the fact that one bad accident can put a family in such a state of poverty that they can never escape it. People don't go into poverty because they had plasic surgery or any other kind that is 'elective', the medical bills and expenses are for needed care.
People should give money or volunteer time to help those less fortunate because it's the right thing to do. Many people feel better about donating to those who've been in a disaster in another country because the don't have to take the responsibilty for helping make an actual long-term change, such as is needed to end poverty here in America. Don't shame people for doing what's right, shame people for being greedy or turning a blind eye as to what REALLY puts people in poverty.
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