Jonathan wrote:
More money is being spent on the upcoming inauguration than is
being
sent in aid to the tsunami victims.
Well, that's just not so. Americans will (as always) donate far
more than most other countries combined. The amount of aid sent by
the federal government has not been determined yet (although $35
million has
been allocated to start the planning and early relief and so on) - I
have heard a billion dollars being mentioned but nobody know how
much will finally be spent.
But that's just government spending, which means little in this
country. The facts is, that while other countries expect their
government to meet these type of obligations, Americans privately
give far more than most other countries governments combined. We
give through myriad types of organizations and charities and the
total amounts to many tens of billions, every year. That's why you
have a hard time getting thought to those web site and telephone
numbers, btw.
I might add that it's sad that some people have to find every
opportunity, no matter how tragic, to spew their personal political
opinons. But it will alway be so.
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