The U.S. has always been ready and willing to help any nation that was in need of aid. To say that because the economy is not doing well is a poor excuse not to continue the tradition that so many nations have come to expect from the U.S.
Today, the U.S. is still the largest economy in the world, and produced $15 trillion worth of goods and services in 2008, with China following at $12 trillion.
Even within the nation, California has the sixth largest economy on the face of planet.
While the U.S. may not be at its best, this nation is still far better off than most countries.
Why then should a country such as Haiti not receive aid from the U.S.? In January an estimated 300,000 people had been injured from the quake with as many as 1,189 people still missing.
In addition, the majority of the 250,000 residencies and 30,000 commercial buildings within Haiti were damaged during the quake. Haiti clearly needs the assistance of the U.S. more than ever.
With the U.S.’s help, the Haitian people are slowly rebuilding their infrastructure and economy. Families that had been separated are being put back together again.
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina passed through New Orleans, forcing 90 percent of the residents in Eastern Louisiana to evacuate.
Though many thought that the people of Louisiana should have been more prepared for a storm like this, it was not like the U.S. to wait for so long to come to the rescue.
Other countries that lent a helping hand included Canada, France, Germany and Mexico.
Because of the nation’s ability to come together and work as a team to help rebuild the city of New Orleans, homes have and are still being rebuilt and financial aid is available for those who can’t afford it.
In 2004, the largest tsunami ever recorded killed more than 227,000 people off the coast of Thailand.
The U.S. aid included $950 million, and as always, many volunteers and government officials came to help restore countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka.
In conclusion, the U.S. should always provide humanitarian aid, not only because it’s what we would want others to do for us, but also because it’s the right thing to do.