December 29, 2004 - Tragedy is an incredible thing. In the face of disaster, death and destruction it brings out unknown facets and hidden strengths in people, as well as great compassion and in many a sense of duty. The quality of great human compassion isn’t derived of any one nation or people. Instead it is innate to the human soul. We saw it in the tears of those laying flowers at the gates of American embassies all over the world after September 11th and we see it again today in the compassionate outreach of individuals and governments from around the world in the aftermath of the tsunamis that devastated the Indian Ocean nations. Why then did the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs decide to lash out at the UN’s greatest benefactor by calling us "stingy?”

The United States, without question, is the most philanthropic nation on the face of the planet. As a government – through taxpayer dollars – and on an individual basis, the people of the United States give more to charity and causes than any other peoples of the world. This isn’t gloating it’s a fact.

On December 27th Secretary of State Colin Powell declared that the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was committing an initial $15 million in response to the disaster in the Indian Ocean. The key word here is "initial" and the larger point is that this amount is coming from just one US agency. To be sure, much more monetary and physical aid will pour into the region as time progresses and the need remains.

The aid the US has committed to doesn’t stop at monetary aid. USAID is sending a 21-member Disaster Assistance Response Team, which includes probably the most experienced water and sanitation experts and field and information officers in the world. The Pentagon has sent military patrol planes from its Pacific Fleet to help out as they can. Add to this the individual contributions of the American people to relief agencies around the world and one can see that "stingy” is not a word best used in this situation.

(It should be noted that the country sending the second greatest amount of aid is Australia, initially offering $10 million and transportation aid. Should it be surprising that two of the countries currently offering freedom to the Iraqi people are also two of the largest contributors in the tsunami humanitarian relief effort?)

With this in mind, the words from Norwegian-born UN Undersecretary Jan Egeland are disturbing. Egeland is quoted as saying; "It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really." He continued, "There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy." He added that politicians in the US and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

Stingy? We want to pay more in taxes? Really? How come I wasn’t alerted of my feelings leading to these statements?

I suppose such an arrogant and ill-informed statement shouldn’t surprise me given the source – the United Nations. This begs the question: what monumental task has the UN ever undertaken where it hasn’t failed? From the Korean Conflict, Haiti and Sudan, Congo to the Balkans – and let’s not forget about Iraq – the United Nations has three avenues of action, throw money at the problem (mostly money derived from the United States), take action and fail dismally or cry until the United States comes to its aid.

I don’t know too many people who agree with either of Mr. Egeland’s assertions. We Americans are a giving people and given the opportunity – let’s say in the form of lowered taxes – we would probably give more. When the average American has disposable income he is more inclined to "share the wealth” with those in need. Such is the compassionate nature of the American culture.

But make no mistake, Americans do not look kindly on those from other countries who suggest we should pay higher taxes in order to fund the very organization that allowed Saddam Hussein to bilk billions out of a humanitarian aid project. Not to mention an organization that continuously takes from the American taxpayer and when called on to support an American freedom initiative chooses to line its pockets with blood money instead of fighting to free an oppressed people.

So. Mr. Egeland, if you want more than we are willing to give out of the goodness of our hearts, I suggest you petition France, Russia, China and Germany for the funds. I hear they have a few billion dollars in ill-gotten gains they could afford to share.

(God keep those who perished in the horrors of the tsunamis)

Related Reading
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20041228-122330-7268r.htm
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/