I'm afraid that I fall into that category Mike. I know that there is a complete and obvious difference between low-income living here in the states and poverty in the 3rd world countries. I have visited some of those countries myself and seen the real conditions. I know that in general every American is safe from persecution and enjoys the freedom of free speech and basic rights. Yet I find it more and more difficult to support my tax dollars (and the lives of our citizens) going overseas when the assistance is only resented in the end. Even if 2000 lives save millions when you are hated for the effort and the sacrifice it is hard to justify. I am leaning more and more towards pulling out everything from everywhere (money and every type of support) except for at home.


>>>>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.