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Originally Posted by pocon1
I live in the US and I thought we were being stingy. If nothing else, the political gain from a swift, sure movement would have been very positive. Indonesia alone has the largest Muslim population in the world and it would make sense politically to have them hold us in higher regard. This is not buying their friendship, but showing that countries that support each other and are willing to work together will in the end benefit each other. I think Bush should have come out with $300 million right from the start.
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As a matter of cordial debate. . .
I agree to an extent, but keep in mind that most of the early pledges by Western governments occurred when the projected death toll was around 15,000. That is a far cry from the 150,000 now feared dead.
But I agree with your sentiment. Even as a libertarian who doesn't believe that the government should be taxing and spending on the scale that it does already, I hoped the US would have led the way in terms of immediate and significant relief funds. It may have been more fiscally prudent to wait and see the scale of the disaster fleshed out before committing hundreds of millions of dollars, but I feel like the government may have missed a golden opportunity to really reflect the generosity and compassion of most Americans (which could have a positive impact in terms of curtailing terrorist recruiting).
But all that really matters in the end is that the Bush Admin. stepped up to the plate after the scope of the disaster became apparent.
Also. . .Cheers to Japan, who just pledged
$500 MILLION IN RELIEF FUNDS!!!!