US fears Haiti could fall, and is expediting multinational force led by Kenya.

Why is it our business if Haiti falls? Multinational force led by Kenya? This has the smell of a CIA operation. When are we Americans going to stop this crap before Congress revs up our debt clock and shells out another $50 billion for arms support and humanitarian aid for Haiti?

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

While I question a good deal of our tendency to run around the world, meddling in the name of national security, when it is in our hemisphere it takes on a more realistic hue. And not just because of any perceived real threat (such as the Soviets putting nuke missiles in Cuba) or questionable ideological fears (such as Reagan's forays into Grenada and El Salvador). For all those so frightened by the multitudes lining up at our Southern Border, where do you think the Haitians are going to flee -- check that, are fleeing -- due to the unsettled political and economic scene in their homeland? How does the cost of helping bring some stability to that country compare to the ever-increasing cost of building a wall which doesn't work, needs to be higher, requires razor wire and dog patrols, etc.?

sree251 · 41-45, M

@dancingtongue You said: "For all those so frightened by the multitudes lining up at our Southern Border, where do you think the Haitians are going to flee -- check that, are fleeing -- due to the unsettled political and economic scene in their homeland?"

So, it has become our business to bring stability to other places lest the denizens there head for the promise land of milk and honey? Have you any idea how tough it is for our rednecks to survive here? And our inner cities look no better than the slums of South America, Africa, and Asia. I have got to admit that somehow, like you, I do feel unconnected to the human misery in my midst. It is the same for the Brahmins, the upper class in India. It is quite amazing how they could live with such detachment from the deprivation. When I was there on my spiritual quest, I was insulated from the muck unseen in luxury hotels and the spotless homes of patrons located in city slums.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@sree251 [quote]like you, I do feel unconnected to the human misery in my midst[/quote]

As we have discussed on another thread, our childhoods were quite different and I do know something about how difficult a hand-to-mouth, or a paycheck-to-paycheck existence is, particularly in rural America. But I also realize that there a heck of a lot subsistence level jobs going begging in the US -- you only need look at the help wanted signs, no need for the stats -- and those same "rednecks" you are concerned about don't want to work them.

[quote]So, it has become our business to bring stability to other places lest the denizens there head for the promise land of milk and honey?[/quote]

Not talking about it being our business, nor a humanitarian/moral/ethical obligation unless we are truly hypocrites about what we say we stand for. I'm talking about pragmatic self-interest on relieving the pressure on our borders.