Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, the sick and elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment, and we haven't fixed all of the Katrina Damage yet - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations sending $57 million for their relief (Which there was ...a better response time by our government then for Katrina). �Yes, the stars came a little out for benefits for Katrina relief, only to the tune of about $20 million. � I think it's a shame when our Government, Hollywood, R&B, Hip Hop and even C&W "Stars" care more about 'disaster relief' for a foreign entity, than for their own country.

Don't get me wrong ~ I feel terrible for all the people there, especially the children that have lost more than a home, but have lost their parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc. and now have no one to care for them. I do feel for those in Haiti, but we've lost so much within our own borders, including the false truth that we take care of ourselves. It seems as if our priorites are all wrong, from the media, to our materialism. I understand that what we have is a man-made problem here ~ drugs, alcohol, gambling, people to lazy to work, however most of those suffering now are honest people that don't fall into any of those catagories.  At what point do we, the people of the USA with the help of our government, reach out to heal ourselves?
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Hi Thiodora,

What do you to help your community? Do you work or volunteer at a shelter, donate items or time? Help in any way possible? It only takes one pair of hands to make a difference. You will find most of us here do something in our community.

I understand where you are coming from, but if someone is in dire need, no matter what country, kingdom, state, city, or town.....humans have a tendency to help.....just because the problems here in this country are bad, doesn't mean we are not a caring nation...we care more than you know.....it's just that drama gets more attention than good news does.....and that is truly sad....but Haiti is the poorest nation in the northern Hemisphere....and they have souls and people who feel just like you and me.....and many of them live right here in Louisiana where I live....and have relatives there. Don't think for a moment they wouldn't give the shirts off their backs to help me or another in need....you don't turn your head on another country in need, just because you feel it isn't your problem.....

We are a global community.

Hi LE. I think what Thiodora says does have some merrit. Yes, its horrible what happened in Haiti. But I think Thiodora makes a valid point in that the federal government and Hollywood's elite have overlooked those in need in our own country and opted to send much needed funding overseas rather than fixing some of the problems in our own back yard. It breaks my heart when I see elderly people in the drug store negotiating the purchase of a few days worth of medication that they need to survive, merely because the pills are so expensive and medicare won't cover it. Its almost as if the government wants the elderly to die off quicker. How many are still homeless in Louisiana- still waiting for their homes to be rebuilt from Katrina's damage? I could go on for quite awhile listing this problem or that problem. Please don't misunderstand me. Its not that I don't feel for the people of Haiti, its just that I haven't forgotten the folks here in this country who could use some help as well. I personally have donated money and time to help with various relief efforts through the years (including Katrina and Haiti). The point I'm getting at is that I believe there are more folks in this country (than you may think) that might feel a little warmer and fuzzier about helping Haiti if the problems in our own country were fixed first. I think that's just human nature. A loving mother more then likely won't let her children go hungry just to feed a complete stranger. But this is all just my opinion. It may ruffle some feathers so please know that that was not my intent. I merely intended to explain why some folks may have similar feelings to Thiodora's.

Blessings,

Draco

I'm pretty much on the same vein, thiodora and draco.  I am taking care of my mother here on the weekends and I see things that are being cut away from her.  No cost of living raise this year for either of my parents, and that sorta sucks when everything is getting higher, but their ss checks aren't.  They've cut out so much funding from the medical for these beautiful people and they do make it hard for them to get care and medicine and whatever else they need.  The pharmacies aren't getting paid as much from medicair that some of them won't fill medicair prescriptions.  How is that supposed to help our elderly?  
Yes, we should care about Haiti, but there's a lot of hype in the news about Haiti and not enough about the American disaster.  We should care about the world as a whole, because it is our mother, and all people are her children, but when this is all said and done, we will have ever so much money and aid going to haiti, when we have homeless elderly.  There has to be a happy medium.

The American economic disaster, is only going to get worse. It is truly the end to the Americam Dream.

I am not diasagreeing with any of you, I truly agree with what you are saying, I am just trying to point out that Americans in general, are one of the most giving people on this planet when it comes to others in need....not the politicians and government. The "People."

"We" the people need to help each other more and come together as a global community. I do believe it is happening, and as a result, governments are scrambling to try and understand how we can do such a thing and cause upheavsal to their way of thinking and running things. Europe got themselves together pretty quickly, the Russian countries are still coming together, and Asia is a powerhouse... the Middle  east and the USA are really the only countries that are having these issues....and I do believe it is all ego-based government.

We the people know what is going on.....and we help when we can....we can blame and point fdingers all day, but if you want to make a difference...you have to DO something...help change lives....even if it is donating something to goodwill or spending a day at the Salvation Army sorting canned food....WE have to change this country......and we can....and we will....trust me on this.

Revolution is in the air...

Somethings in the air, and it kinda smells like an outhouse!!!

Hi LE,

I never said that we shouldn't help Hati, and yes I did make a donation. �I never said to turn your head and look away because it is not (your) our problem.

What do I do to make a difference? �I volunteer at my childs school and the realated recreation center two to three time a month. �All of my good reusable items are donated to the Goodwill or a similar place. �I do not spend as much time volunteering now as I have in the past because I do work and am in school ........ with the goal of working in Hospice Care .....caring for people whom are now having the greatest needs in their life but are mostly ignored, abused, and neglected. �I send meals over to my neighbors house (or have her over at ours) once or twice a week because she is elderly and alone. �Many afternoons the neighbor kids are over at our house with my husband (who has been laid off and cannot find work) or else they would be home alone. �I (we) try hard to do my part and go wtithout in order to give back to our community. �We believe it is a karma thing.

My point is this: The idea is that we are suppose to take care of our own first. �Not to ignore everyone else, but the main focus needs to point inward for a while. �How can we take care of others if we are not taking care of ourselves? And once that is done (I mean really done) then yes by all means turn our main attention those countries that need it. If people of means wish to reach out, please do, but stop sending my tax dollars out of my country until you can help our countrymen and women. � All the problems �we have require political agreement on HOW to fix them and it seems that is where our country is paralyzed. All the donations to these causes show this country has the money... even in these times. We just can�t seem to work together enough to solve our problems. �When others are in need, we rush to their aid (and yes we should), but why can't we see the crisis in our own country as being dire? We will spend money on military budgets without hesitation, put drug "offenders" in prision without concern for treatment, bail-out corporations, give tax breaks to thieves; but it seems forbidden for us to spend money on public schools, urban poverty, infrastructure, medical needs, welfare, food stamps, etc. �Thank you to our troops for their service. I love my country but I hate where the goverment is heading.
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It just seems like being an American is sort of like being a dentist: You hate going to them but its always necessary now and then for optimal dental health. Most of the world hates Americans. They raise their kids to hate Americans. Yet when disaster strikes they turn to us for help. Other countries impose tariffs American products being imported into their country, yet those same countries cry foul if the USA were to do the same. There was a time when I would have loved to visit other countries and experience their cultures. But with the anti-American sentiment that seems to be gripping the globe, I'm more inclined to keep my travels and my hard earned dollars domestic. I'm just tired of the one way mentality that the world has with regard to the USA. It gets old. Again, its just my opinion, but I believe a lot of others share the same sentiment.

Blessings,

Draco

Very valid points, everyone.

There is MUCH work to be done. With the world conciousness changing, it is amazing to have so much of it right here in our castle!

WE are the people making a difference........

Now, if we can only help others to adjust to the changes, accept who they are are, love themselves as well us loving outselves....

well.....that's going to take some time.....

And I DO beleive alot more of Mother Earth doing some shaking, rocking, rolling and washing will cause that to happen.

Human beings are a warring spieces.....I think that with everything happening.....and the global way in which we communicate now. It hits us in the gut a bit harder when a disaster strikes.

But just wait.....

What's that I see and hear???

It's really weird because I feel a lot of anger from people after this last disaster.  During the tsunami, I felt a lot of giving, and from Katrina I've felt a lot of giving but anger from people of New Orleans (I understand their anger).  But now, I feel a lot of anger from the general populace.  The other night, I heard one organization saying another organization didn't give enough.  Who are they to say what is enough?  They aren't in the other persons shoes.  What ever happened to 'it's the thought that counts'.  
I think you're saying Lady Elaine, it's time for us to stop thinking of disasters as individual events, but thinking of everybody as one hurting unit, and to give what we think we can give deep down inside our consciousness.  Whether it be monetary, our time, or sometimes we are spent out and tired, then at least think of them in our prayers and to have understanding for everybody.  Feel free to correct me on this one.

marigold you hit the nail on thehead....that is EXACTLY what I am talking about...thank you for making it clear what I was trying to say.....

((hugs))

I think these times are lose, lose situations, and no matter how much good is being done, it's never gonna be 'enough' in someone's eyes.

You will never see everone happy about anything. Yes I have felt the U.S. didn't do enough for it's own people, sometimes I get very angry or upset when the billions of dollars have went out to those that hated us and our people suffered. But to balance that out, to help others in need, or suffering opression has been what the U.S. is about. A very difficult balance, especially since a lot of countries we aid misuse the help and slap us in the face. But, all we can do is try.
And yes, the number of disasters has hardened a lot of peoples hearts to giving, and with our poor economy giving is harder.Always various groups and agencies will run down the competition, mostly for their own benefit    .

Now I will shut up before I get on a soapbox.

Sundown

Ah hell, grab a box!!!!  

You are right LE and Marigold. There is alot of healing to be done on a global scale. I would love nothing more than to be able to pass on to future generations a peaceful, eco-friendly planet. I just pray Mother Earth can hold on until that day comes. By the way Sundown- nice work on the wands

Blessings to all,

Draco

PS: Sorry if I offended anyone or came off as uncaring- nothing could be further from the truth. Guess I'm just frustrated in that I wish we could all just get along