the Haitian government is among the most corrupt in the western hemisphere. they steal 95% of the aid that goes to the country.
While i understand Haitian government workers need Mercedes too im not going to help buy it for them.

When something like this happens I actually tend to buck the trend and rather than send money off to whatever disaster occured I send that money to a local charity. I actually donate a fair portion of what I eran and also my time towards charities I feel make a difference in causes I believe in.

So if you feel like sending money off to Haiti, but you also think everyone is doing it then think about the soup kitchen in your area or local shelter or whatever and send them the money.

Net

Nice reply Moebius8. (but at least you did reply) You sound very much like the right wing Christian Haters on this subject e.g. Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh. Of course the Haitian government is corrupt (any more so than one that allows the drug and insurance companies to reap billions in exorbitant cost and the denial of care at the cost of thousands of lives a year?) But we are talking about saving people lives through DIRECT aid to people for hospital supplies, medicine, doctors, water, tents and other assistance that will save lives. I suggest you go to the site americares.org and confirm that 99% of aid to Haiti through them right now gets directly to the field. So wad up you 10 bucks Moebius and keep it safe in your tight sweaty palm and angrily discredit any request that might pry it from you and save lives. I for one will take a chance and donate what I can - whether tied to hobbying or not and hope that just maybe it reduced the suffering or perhaps saved a life. You scare me Moebius. How can someone with your intelligence become a cynical hater spouting fake moralisms about government corruption when people are dying. Don't you see the similarities with bigoted Christian moralists? Well I said my peace and will take my seat and let this post drift, for lack of response, off the bottom of the screen and into NR limbo. I refuse to believe that a majority of people who post here are like Moebius and that just maybe this thread had an impact. But then I have always been an idealist and no doubt will die one.

if you honestly think 99% of your dollars are having an impact then im not going to convince you otherwise. Ive worked for various charities including the red cross and at best 50 cents of every dollar has any direct impact.
I guess i am cynical enough to want my dollars to go towards a local charity where i can see the dollars at work. If your 10 bucks to Haiti makes you feel better about yourself by all means send it off and good luck to you.

Implying that the Haitian quake was God's wrath and questioning the flow of the Haitian aid money are two very different things.

While Moebius comes across a bit cold, I agree with him in that the Haitian govt should "not be trusted", but I also believe that with the proper research someone could reasonably choose the best relief effort to support people in need. The Red Cross is a relatively trustworthy charity, isn't it? While they may not be perfect, they've done a few good things in the past. If you give financial support to a legitimate relief effort, it doesn't mean that your check is sent directly to the Haitian govt.

The charities I donate to are LOCAL .
I also volunteer my time with chairities pertaining to autism(b/c I have 3 children with autism and to diseases like cancer because those prgrams do help people and I have seen it first hand .
I'd rather my 10 bucks go to help sponsor a child's ABA therapy or to help someone afford their medication .

I will no way contribute to another corrupt government, I already pay taxes thank you very much.

Oh and BTW those "corporations" that donate food aid etc to hati may be saying that they are
but it does not mean that they actually get it without being intercepted bc that's how they work and it won't change.
Same with nigeria, one of the worlds poorest countries fuckers scamming millions of people and living wealthy eating like kings while the rest of the country starves to death.
If you want to be a humanitarian go work in the peace corps or a soup kitchen honestly you will get more satisfaction from it.
Start locally.
I think america needs to stop "mothering" other countries .

I agree that Haiti is a very corrupt country but I'll donate my money to the Red Cross anyway because even if only half of it gets used I'll be helping people who are completely helpless. Why all the love for donating locally? People are poor here because they are either lazy, uneducated, or have some form of physical impediment. If they are lazy, that's there problem. If they are uneducated they should go to school. If they have some kind of physical problem then we should help them. Don't compare poverty in Haiti with the poverty here as it shows you are ignorant. Help the Haitians because if you don't, think about the potential for terrorist movements recruiting hopeless Haitians right in our own backyard.

Just a very friendly reminder to play nice. The giving of charity is a very personal issue. While understandably emotional, just like hobbying it is a personal decision and everyone is entitled to their opinion, - just as long as it agrees with mine

Double post - sorry

I would never assume someone to right-wing Christian right off the bat like that.
The same can be said to the lefties as well. I lean to the left myself but that does not make me
nicer than the right wingers. It is not like me to stick up for them. But when you see the elite ones acting like they are saving the world then I tend to wonder.

Hung,

The reason I mentioned donating locally wasn't because I think the money going to Haiti is being wasted or not helping people. I have worked for a number of non-profits and one thing they all see happen when a major disaster such as the tsunami that hit a few years ago doesn't get people to donate more money, but rather redirect their donations. Not that that is a bad thing, but that does mean local or even other international charities suffer because they don't get the donations they count on.

Your assumption that people who need assistance in the US are merely lazy, uneducated or physically impared is, I feel, rather short sighted, but I won't flame you for your opinion.

Net

I agree with you. I just reread my post and reminded myself not to post when I have a wicked hangover and hate the world. I do still think that donating to Haiti is more urgent right now than donating locally.