I want to applaud both former Presidents in addressing this massive devastation in Haiti through their action. In articles in the New York Times 1.14 Section A page 17, and in USA today 1.15, page 12, I called last week for a suspension of political partisanship to address this need. Both Presidents with the encouragement of the administration and President Obama have done what is right and humanitarian, I am proud to be an American!
I have personally condemned in the press the pathetic remarks of televangelist Pat Robertson. At the time of this great tragedy to humanity I am appalled as well at the shallowness of Rush Limbaugh's comments about aid to Haiti.
Nicholas Kristof's article in the January 15 issue of the New York Times entitled--How Generous Are We To Haiti? 92 Cents Per American Per Year (in 2008), is disappointing. Admittedly, corruption in Haitian leadership-government officials through the years has not helped the nation, yet according to the Center For Global Development's David Roodman, the U.S. over the last three years has given 2.32 per year per American. Canada by contrast gave 12.13 per person to Haiti over the same 3 year period. We rank behind, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and perhaps others. This is not a record of which we should be proud.
Perhaps what Limbaugh really wanted to say on Haitian assistance was best framed by Charles Dickens's character Scrooge decades ago, ARE THERE NO PRISONS,WORKHOUSES? Frankly, America is far better than that. Our Presidents have proven that we are better.
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