This is a bad economy? So far Americans donated $500 mil to Haiti

[~~whimsy~~]

In the course of one day, giving and pledges jumped from $471 million Monday to $517.5 million Tuesday. The number compares favorably to previous disaster-relief efforts, even though Americans currently find themselves mired in an economic recession.

"What we've found interesting in the response to the Haitian earthquake is that the amounts raised have been quite significant," said Una Osili, the center's research director. "There's been a strong outpouring of generosity in the face of this disaster. It shows Americans are generous even in tough economic times."

She said donations and pledges have exceeded those given after the most recent global disaster of this proportion, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, even though the tsunami occurred during a prosperous economy.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/27/us-response-tops-half-billion-dollars/?feat=home_headlines

This is why I tend to not listen to anyone speak ill about the economy. If Americans can manage to pull together over $500,000,000 for Haiti, it makes me wonder, what kind of bad economy are we really living in?

I see over $500,000,000 being donated, which is fine; actually great. I see people out continuously shopping and parking lots for stores and rather pricey restaurants, as well as average restaurants, full. Especially on the weekends. And yet I keep hearing about this bad economy and how people are hurting financially from east coast to west coast. Yet, still manage to donate 500 million dollars, outside their normal regular spending habits...

 

[Red Spyder]

Over $500 million.... so far. With more to come. America IS a generous nation, and this coming from someone who grew up hearing the "Mexico is poor because the U.S. steals from us" bullshit. America, no better friend for those who extend their hand in friendship, no worst enemy for those who raise their fist against us.

 

[lurkingdirk]

It turns out that during financially trying times, when people are seeing the true value of a dollar, giving to charitable causes goes up. Many people recognize that they have more money than a lot of other people, and they give what they can.

I promote this behaviour.

 

[Jane Burgess]

I wonder if we could have a huge fundraiser for all the programs being cut here in the US?

 

[~~whimsy~~]

That fundraiser is called stimulus packages. And no body would do any thing about that because they would expect the government to take care of it of course.

 

[LukeEl]

Come on folks there is always plenty of money to go around. In fact I just saw this seasons crop start to ripen out in my money tree orchard!

 

[~~whimsy~~]

Come on folks there is always plenty of money to go around. In fact I just saw this seasons crop start to ripen out in my money tree orchard!

You mean these orchards?? Sorry for you loss

 

[titsrock]

I agree. Our "generosity" is based on shock trauma. It is completely out of balance compared with how we go about solving major problems (like healthcare and poverty) within our own country.

We will actually need an internal "Haiti Relief" effort once the Dems cave on Healthcare and people start going bankrupt, hospitals start going out-of-business again....:dunno:

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

And 90% of that is probably in the leaders' pockets right now. They aren't seeing any of it. Watch the news guys, it's not getting to them. I would'nt donate a penny unless I saw the money going to good use, not to line the pockets of some corrupt government down there.

And then you have all these rich musicians coming out and doing a show. Do they follow up with any of this? Or was that show all for publicity? Do they really care?

 

[Nina_Mercedez]

And 90% of that is probably in the leaders' pockets right now. They aren't seeing any of it. Watch the news guys, it's not getting to them. I would'nt donate a penny unless I saw the money going to good use, not to line the pockets of some corrupt government down there.

And then you have all these rich musicians coming out and doing a show. Do they follow up with any of this? Or was that show all for publicity? Do they really care?

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[BlueBalls]

It's their money. What they choose to do with it is completely up to them. Putting some of it towards a good cause is very noble of them.

:thumbsup:

 

[titsrock]

I don't think there's any form of gov't actually in charge of anything anymore in Haiti. I think the issue is if you donate to a non-profit org, what percentage of your donation will actually go to Haiti relief and what percentage will go to "administrative costs" (i.e. Benzs and pools for the Nonprofit CEOs :dunno....

There is very little difference between a nonprofit org and a private corporation....

I think it's troubling to read about some asshat like John Travolta flying down to Haiti in his private plane only to distribute Scientology Propoganda Bullshit! That's basically Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctrine" being put into effect by asshat celebrities...

 

[Dean Wormer]

Don't get so excited over the number. 500 million dollars from a population of approximately 300 million is less than 2 bucks per person.

 

[georges]

Don't get so excited over the number. 500 million dollars from a population of approximately 300 million is less than 2 bucks per person.

interesting remark

 

[Jagger69]

Over $500 million.... so far. With more to come. America IS a generous nation, and this coming from someone who grew up hearing the "Mexico is poor because the U.S. steals from us" bullshit. America, no better friend for those who extend their hand in friendship, no worst enemy for those who raise their fist against us.

Dead on! :thumbsup:

And 90% of that is probably in the leaders' pockets right now. They aren't seeing any of it. Watch the news guys, it's not getting to them. I would'nt donate a penny unless I saw the money going to good use, not to line the pockets of some corrupt government down there.

Not true if you use some common sense before you donate. If you give to a time-honored and well-established relief organization like the Red Cross, no money goes into the pockets of corrupt Haitian politicians. All the money goes for food, water and medical supplies that are administered by the Red Cross themselves. You definitely DO need to be careful to whom you donate....no doubt.

 

[DJCowboy]

Don't get so excited over the number. 500 million dollars from a population of approximately 300 million is less than 2 bucks per person.

I should just find some way to get people to donate just $2 to me and then I'd be set. If you're caught you get less jail time than if you were to rob a place because from each person you took, most wouldn't want to pursue legal action because it'd cost more for them to do so than to pay for a lawyer

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Don't get so excited over the number. 500 million dollars from a population of approximately 300 million is less than 2 bucks per person.

That's just America. Damn near every other Western country has donated hundreds of millions as well. Who knows how much money has been donated. It's gotta be billions though. Remeber the tsunami back in '06? If I remember correctly the Scandinaivain countries (per capita) gave more than any other countries.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I should just find some way to get people to donate just $2 to me and then I'd be set. If you're caught you get less jail time than if you were to rob a place because from each person you took, most wouldn't want to pursue legal action because it'd cost more for them to do so than to pay for a lawyer

Try making a chain letter.

 

[jod0565]

Here, decide for yourselves:

Wyclef Jean's Yele Charity Not The Only One With Dirt
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Hait...i-yele-charity-face-scrutiny/story?id=9605578

 

[sporty_carr]

Most of that is probably coming from the 10% of Americans that are rich. The other 90% of us are still po.

See, I'm so 'po' I can't even afford the 'or' at the end.

And then you have all these rich musicians coming out and doing a show. Do they follow up with any of this? Or was that show all for publicity? Do they really care?

If they really cared they'd donate some of the millions they have. Which ones actually do....I have no idea.