>>>Now the problem I have with the above comments about not helping those who cannot help themselves has to do with my value system and how I was raised. As a Catholic I was taught to help those in need.
>>
>>Just wondering, don't you think the Iraqi people needed help?
>Yes.
>
>Would you help a stranger or your own family first?

That would depend on quite a few specifics.

I'll say that the quality of life in America is among the highest in the world. I'll say the argument that we need to have a complete and perfect utopia before improving the quality of life for those not in our country is too idealistic to be taken seriouslly.

That seems to be the argument many here are fond of.