>>SNIP
>>>
>>>And you think we don't do the same? Do you have any idea what The Netherlands with only 16 Million people have donated to the Tsunami? Hint it was more than a 3rd of the US donation !! And a lot faster than the US btw. The US was critisised initially because it slow and lukewarm response at the time. See http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dis_tsu_fun_ple_pergdp-tsunami-funds-pledged-per-gdp. Oh and which insignificant navy force was there in New Orleans to help out three years ago?
>>>
>>SNIP
>>
>>That link doesn't say what kind of donations they are measuring -- from the government or does it include private donations? I know a lot of Americans donated out of their own pockets, including me. When things like the tsunami or Katrina happen, Americans do pitch in. I'm not saying we do more of it than people from other countries. But I don't think we do less of it, either.
>
>
>I must've missed something. I never read in John's message any hint that the U.S. was alone in providing aid to the world and he certainly did not denounce other countries for not providing aid. However, the tone of Walter's first message certainly implied that the U.S. is lacking in that area (as well as others). It is probably from reading from the 'U.S. perspective' but I too took Walter's message as insulting and John struck back with information on what the U.S. has in fact done and maybe rubbed his nose in it alittle. Then Walter took that response as insinuating that the rest of the world (particularly his country) was somehow excluded. Interesting that he takes insult but doesn't see the insult he gives. This is what happens when discussions are only performed online and not in person.

Tracy, not did I ever implied that US is / was alone in forreign aid. Please read Thread #1343122 Message #1343972 and further. John pulled the trigger by reffering to old cows again.

Again, the US is not a charity, never was and never will be. Even the marshal plan had geopolitical and economical goals. This is easily proven by examining the american society and the american dream. The US society is a harsh one. Big gap between the poor and rich, missing education and healthcare for all and the dream of getting wealthy through hard work. This is not exactly the picture of a country that would be the foremost leader of forreign aid in the world. Now if you have an explanation telling otherwise, please do.

As you and I know, forreign aid often is geopolitical as well. It is difficult to explain why iraq was invaded while we (the western world) are not doing anything substancial in Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, North Korea etc, other than in geopolitical terms. Lots of US forreign aid goes to iraq and afghanistan. And there you still have to wonder how this money is spend. All too often that forreign aid flows back to the US through US contractors. I know there is much to tell about this topic and many countries are guilty of the lack of efficiency of any economical aid.

According to all statistics I've seen, the north and western of europe is on the first line when it comes to economical forreign aid, but also to emergency aid. Right after the Tsunami, everyone was collecting money over here for emergency aid, and I know a few people who actually went there to help out. This essentially was the very same in a lot of countries surrounding us.

Again, I'm not pointing a finger or accusing the US for not doing as much, but I'm a bit irritated when americans asume, proclaim certain things and by doing that are totally ignoring and insulting the world outside. And sorry for being the messenger here, but this is not exactly helping in the matter of how outside countries view at the US. I see a lot of right wing comments about that the outside world is jelous because of the greatest country in the world ever and therefore speak bad of it. That is a very cheap shot isn't it? That would not explain why during the last 8 years the views on the US have been under such preasure. It always is easier to blame someone else than yourself. It would be a first step in examining why that is, and then do something about it.

OTOH, I see some light at the end of the tunnel. If Obama gets elected, he actually might improve things by getting rid of the mismanagement of the government of the last 8 years. More than mcCain he will be able to restore forreign relations, de something about the economical situation etc. I hope, so. America deserves a better government than it had the last 8 years.