President Barack Obama has pledged the "full support" of the U.S. government to Haiti after the island nation suffered an epic earthquake that may have left untold thousands dead and injured. What he did not mention is America's generosity may come with a hefty price tag as the federal deficit is mushrooming from spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The exact price tag for U.S. taxpayers in Haiti is unclear. The costs could be hundreds of millions or even billions, depending on the contributions from other sources. Obama likely will spend big to stabilize Haiti since it is so close to the U.S. He also wants to prevent a mass exodus of Haitians to the U.S...
Stewart Patrick, a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations, tells DailyFinance that the U.S. may have to bear about one quarter of the cost to rebuild the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. His sentiment was echoed by the Heritage Foundation's Jim Roberts, who served in the Foreign Service in Haiti. "It's inevitable that the US taxpayer will pay for some of this bill," Patrick says. Although the tab will be considerable, it will pale in comparison to the the cost of the war in the Middle East.
Media reports indicate that more than 2,000 Marines will be heading to Haiti as part of a humanitarian effort, along with ships, helicopters and airplanes. These first-responders will have their work cut out for them. The quake was centered 10 miles outside of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, a city with a population of more than 2 million, by far the country's largest city. Media reports indicate the the government is in a shambles and the presidential palace lies in ruins. Everything from shanty homes to government buildings to hospitals lie in ruins.
Sadly, the disaster comes as businesses were starting to invest in the Caribbean nation, lured by a dirt cheap pool of labor, giving Haitians a rare bit of optimism.
It is wonderful that our president is moving without hesitation to help Haiti with earthquake aid. At the same time, the mounting bill from President Obama's various undertakings is starting to appear rather steep. From the bail out, to the war in Iraq, to ramping up in Afghanistan, the American people are already billions of dollars in the hole for years to come. U.S. aid to Haiti, while crucial to maintaining the stability of the region, is an expense that could throw our future generations into a precarious economic position.
That is, unless President Obama significantly pulls back on one of our war fronts. Daily Finance makes a great point -- aid to Haiti will cost much less than continuing our efforts in Iraq. That seems like more than a solution to our mounting national debt. It's almost a sign from higher powers that peace, brotherhood and the building up of nations is what the world needs now, not warfare, fighting and tearing countries down. Aid to Haiti is absolutely necessary. But is perhaps the moral and economic imperative in this situation one that will require ending warfare as a more than fare trade? President Obama has a lot to balance regarding giving Haiti aid. Let's hope his balance leans towards granting relief, at the expense of war.
Comments: (24)
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By: ((( HiRoader ))) on 1/16/2010 8:56AM
I'm beginning to see the Limbaugh fear factor in regards to any issue the Obama administration comes to save the day.., Hell it could get him reelected.. Not like the staged dilemmas conservatives create to impose party hero-worship.. I don't know about anyone else, but The whole Hatian economic or poverty existence reaks of deliberate neglect by the United States.., I'm sure there's been plenty money thrown at in their economy, Without any stable resolve. Funny thing its neighbor's chief export product has been enough drugs to saturate the entire United States. Where our government has spent trillion in tax dollars on treatments,deaths,crime,prisons and law enforcement... But where the U.S. government officials and corporations can stick there noses around the globe yelling "human rights & axis of evil", Truth is Hati has been set aside as thier own little poverty sideshow... Point is, Profit, corporate profits has become American foreign relations, with outsourcing,importing cost, retail mark-ups and Hati's has been "black"listed...
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By: El Jibaro De Lytle Creek on 1/17/2010 12:30PM
Haitian foreign policy has since their Independence in early 1800's by the United States always been negative. Now Obama places a former president in charge of overseeing Earthquake assistance, that had the Democratically elected Aristide removed by US National Security agency. Counter intuitive don't you think??. Isn't it better to blame the Victims than admit our culpability? Haiti will get the same relief the poor received by the former president during and after Katrina. Those poor people in Haiti should be happy the Great American Government will assist them just like we have been helping them in the past! Tongue in cheek for those of us who understand.
El Jibaro De Lytle Creek
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By: mkt on 1/17/2010 2:00AM
Very little Haiti comments on this site. Very little info. It seems the black community in our country cares very little about Haiti. While other news sites and informative boards are carrying so much info about the disaster, this site cares little. Which is so reflective of the egocentric nature of blacks in our country. They can't take their minds off of themselves. They can't ever think about helping others...even if they are black. So sad...
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By: Lynn on 1/18/2010 6:12PM
I have noted otherwise. Most Blacks are VERY concerned about Haiti. I hate to put it to you this way, but who have you been talking to? I've noted an extreme concern for Haitians as fellow Blacks, especially among the church folk.
Lynn in New Orleans, LA.
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By: herb l jones on 1/17/2010 7:11AM
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS GOING AFTER THE BANKS IN AN A EFFORT TO GET BACK TO THE TAX PAYERS THE MONIES SPENT TO BAIL OUT THE BANKS. THE WAY I SEE IT, THE PRESIDENT COULD (IN THEORY) HAVE THE BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DONATE THE ACCESS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEY HAVE, ALSO THE PRESIDENT IS GOING AFTER THE (FAT CATS) OF THESE SAME INSTITUTIONS WHO'S BONUS MEASURE IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS. I THINK AN AGREEMENT COULD AND "WOULD" BE MET IF THE PRESIDENT STRUCK A DEAL WITH THE BANKING ARENA TO DONATE AT LEAST 50% TO 75% OF THE MONIES OBAMA IS TRYING TO GET FROM THEM TO HAITI AND IT'S COMMON PEOPLE, NOT JUST TO THE INDUSTRY OF THAT REGION. AND IN DOING SO.... THE REMAINDER OF THE MONIES PRESIDENT OBAMA IS TRYING TO GET FROM THE BANKS WOULD BE FORGIVEN, AS A GESTURE OF GOOD WILL. THE MONEY GIVEN TO HAITH AND HER PEOPLE WOULD TRANSLATE TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RELIEF EFFORTS. THIS WOULD PROVE TO BE QUITE A FEATHER IN OBAMA'S CAP. HAITI WOULD BE HAPPY, HER PEOPLE WOULD BE HAPPY, OBAMA WOULD BE HAPPY, WE WOULD BE HAPPY AND THE BANKS WOULD BE HAPPY.------- THANK YOU!
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By: SupaMann on 1/17/2010 9:00AM
Wow I never knew people could be so heartless! Here you have the richest country in the world (US) and we have innocent people suffering and losing theirs lives and loved ones daily and we have the audicity to have a problem with our president because he has a heart and is trying to help what is the worst thing that this world has ever seen. People come on. I believe that not only is this a good thing that he is doing but I also believe that it is right and he did it in a proper response time. May God forever bless you Mr. Obama and keep up the good work.
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By: Wake up on 1/18/2010 3:57PM
Obama is sending 100k to Haitti: Big deal!
What can you really buy with the 100k ?. ......... .1) Pay a football player for half a year.
2) Buy 20 pieces of heavy duty farm equipment
3) One winning lottery ticket
4) Buy 3 nice office buildings in New York
5) Buy some rappers BlingBling
6) Buy 1 bomb and rocket
7) Donate 99 cents to every dead person in Haitti
America and its value system. What is a life worth? About 50cents Disgusting isn't it.
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By: Jaye on 1/18/2010 8:20AM
Yes, the US is able to help Haiti...put a halt to them going to the moon, get rid of funding for PETA & the US can help...just like they can still help the hungry/homeless right here in the US, the Katrina victims (who haven't seen a dime), victims of 911 & the Oklahoma City bombing victims right here in the US.
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By: Ron on 1/18/2010 8:40AM
It's good to give. Selfishness is at the very core of evil. Selfishness is killing America daily. The Banks, Credit Card Companies,The Enterainment Industry,Educational Industry,Sports Industry, Car Industry all play their role in being selfish. Why have not any of these industries come forward before The President to help the poor in this country for years? Selfishness destroyed the educational system in America and the banking system on Wall Street.
American has become so greedy and has negelected the poor since this counrty was established. Why do we have so many poor people in America? Dr. King before his untimely death was building a movement to bring all poor people together. From all walks of life and from all cultures. Why has not any one completed his work?
I think it's good to help poor people or those who have less than you. The true blessings, healing, restoration comes when we give. It does not have to be in the form of money. It could be in simple acts of kindness, a smile or a word of encouragement.When was the lasttime you encourage a child to study hard and stay in school? This world today is sick with selfishnes.
I think President Obama is doing a very good thing. It should be illegal for any country in the world to be entrapped with such poverty that the people in any country cannot have basic needs and supplies in a crisis such as an earthquake! The UN should mandate world wide laws all countries have means and ways to get help to all people within a country under a such a crisis within 48 hours.
Haiti will be restored. It will be a better place because of President's Ombam's actions! I am sure the people of Hatiwill be better as well. I hope we realize this could happen anywhere. At any time. It could happen in your own back yard. If it did you would want some help too. President Obama has a heart. Unlike, so many others who did not do enough to heal this country nor world. Yet, we the people an all do something to make a differance in the lives of others.
Giving and thanksgiving are very powerful weapons against the structures of evil in this world. On this King's day. Let us remember that. Dr. King gave his life so we could be a better people and nation. The American people owe a great debt to all those who gave their time, money and blood for others. This lesson needs to be shared with children of all, and we need to work to end selfishness and Insituational Racism which are are biggest problems. Thank you, President Ombama. For helping the poor in their crisis. God will be bless you Mr. President for helping the needy in times of crisis.
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By: Samuel Rhoades on 1/18/2010 9:35AM
Can America afford to let politicians have all the perks they receive plus their own private retirement system and health plans while everybody else has to accept social security?
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