more on Tsunami Relief -- an alternative view

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Deva Seetharam <devs () usa net>
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 10:38:57 -0500
To: <dave () farber net>
Subject: Re: [IP] Tsunami Relief -- an alternative view

Dear Dave,
i agree that the first responsibility of the US governement is to US
citizens.

however, i would like to point out the following:
1. since the US needs other countries for economic and political reasons, it
is necessary for the US to maintain a friendly relationship with other
countries. such friendly relations can be improved by helping the affected
countries during disasters.

2. US is not the only country donating relief funds. see the list  published
by BBC:

World Bank: $250m
UK: $96m
Sweden: $75m
Spain: $68m
China: $60m
France: $56m
EU $44m
Netherlands: $36m
US: $35m
Canada: $33m
Japan: $30m
Australia: $27m
Switzerland: $23m
Norway: $16.6m
Denmark: $15.6m
Saudi Arabia: $10m
Taiwan: $5.1m
Finland: $3.4m
Kuwait: $2.1m
UAE: $2m
Source: Reuters, United Nations

3. the amount offered by US is not big enough to affect the country's
economy
in any way. in fact, this is just the 18-month salary of Alex Rodrigues.

best,
deva seetharam



------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 06:28:52 PM EST
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
To: Ip <ip () v2 listbox com>
Subject: [IP] Tsunami Relief -- an alternative view


------ Forwarded Message
From: "John F. McMullen" <johnmac13 () gmail com>
Reply-To: <johnmacsgroup () yahoogroups com>
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:08:05 -0500
To: <johnmacsgroup () yahoogroups com>
Subject: Re: [johnmacsgroup] Re: Tsunami Relief


> On Thu, 30 Dec 2004, dbolduc78703 wrote:
> > So, what programs should we cut now, or what taxes should we raise,
> > for tsunami relief?  What would you be willing to sacrifice if the
> > Congress isn't willing to end the effort in Iraq?
I'm not against the aid -- but it should be pointed out that the first
responsibility of the US governement is to US citizens and we have
people living below the poverty level, people without health care, and
are drying up the Pell Grant program for college students. The whole
thing is a disgrace -- our economy -- and the fact that these other
countries mock our genorsity; they have a hell of a nerve -- and that
guy backed down. 

This is the greatest human tragedy of my lifetime and certainly requires
an extrodinary response -- but we should remember our own problems
here also -- which go on daily -- and David is right -- each new dollar
spent either requires more taxes, cuts in other programs or a greater
deficit. I'd love to see all the pork in the Homeland Security Bill go to
Southeast Asia.

-- 
"When you come to the fork in the road, take it" - L.P. Berra
    "Always make new mistakes" -- Esther Dyson
    "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
     -- Arthur C. Clarke
     "You Gotta Believe" - Frank "Tug" McGraw (1944 - 2004 RIP)

                           John F. McMullen
    johnmac () acm org johnmac () computer org johnmac () m-net arbornet org
                   johnmac () tmail com johnmac () echonyc com
            jmcmullen () monroecollege edu johnmac () alumni iona edu
               ICQ: 4368412 Skype, AIM & Yahoo Messenger: johnmac13
                   http://www.westnet.com/~observer
             BLOG: http://johnmacrants.blogspot.com/


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