US generosity once again shines through

[texasmom]

Boy, we're spending trillions on crapola everywhere here... but sending Italy a whopping fifty thousand dollars ?  Would have been better to not send them anything at all rather than that amount.  What a slap in the face.  Sheesh.
On the other hand, they finally used a little moderation in spending (*rolls eyes*)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ikJZkXxJ8cJg2RvVbRTqZKEZwVqg

[lyric1]

I am sure they will send more if needed or requested.

[ODBAL]

Curious how much Italy sent us for Katrina or the recent floodings in the Dakota's?

[Masherbrum]

Curious how much Italy sent us for Katrina or the recent floodings in the Dakota's?

Ditto.   

[texasmom]

Curious how much Italy sent us for Katrina or the recent floodings in the Dakota's?

After Katrina "Italy offered to send two Hercules C130 cargo aircraft fitted with emergency aids, including 300 adult camp beds, 300 blankets, 600 sheets, 1 suction pump, 6 lifecrafts, 11.200 chlorine tablets, 5 units of large first aid kits, baby food formula pumps, tents and power generators. Italy also offered to send some experts of the Protezione Civile to help coordinating relief efforts in the damaged area."
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dis_hur_kat_int_aid_res-hurricane-katrina-international-aid-response

*edit* 
So we're offering to Italy the same amount that the nation of Djibouti offered to the US after Katrina.  Even more laughable.

[Shuffler]

I'd just as soon italy and the rest of the beggars handle their own affairs and we handle ours. Same with individuals here in the US. If you can't afford it then don't buy it. If you can't afford kids then don't have them. If you want socialism go to china.

While we are at it lets turn away all illegals at the hospital and clear the emergency rooms for emergencies only.

Ok too many others to list but that would be a start.

[ODBAL]

I see what they offered, what did they actually send?  Since when is it our [the taxpayers of the U.S.A.] job to pay for every natural disaster that happens on this planet?  I have 2 brothers that are unemployed at the moment, I feel it's about time we took care of our own first.  If you think $50,000 is a slap in the face then maybe donate some of your own money to the cause. 

[Masherbrum]

I see what they offered, what did they actually send?  Since when is it our [the taxpayers of the U.S.A.] job to pay for every natural disaster that happens on this planet?  I have 2 brothers that are unemployed at the moment, I feel it's about time we took care of our own first.  If you think $50,000 is a slap in the face then maybe donate some of your own money to the cause.

I concur.

[RTHolmes]

well in GDP terms $50,000 from the US is about the same as $9,000 from Italy. 2x empty 130s with crew would cost considerably more than that just to fly across the atlantic let alone operate for weeks with extra personnel and supplies, so you guys were offered way more than you've sent to Italy. I'm sure they are still grateful though

[VonMessa]

I see what they offered, what did they actually send?  Since when is it our [the taxpayers of the U.S.A.] job to pay for every natural disaster that happens on this planet?  I have 2 brothers that are unemployed at the moment, I feel it's about time we took care of our own first.  If you think $50,000 is a slap in the face then maybe donate some of your own money to the cause. 

It's not anymore.  We are too busy paying for all the people that Shuffler mentioned.

I'd just as soon italy and the rest of the beggars handle their own affairs and we handle ours. Same with individuals here in the US. If you can't afford it then don't buy it. If you can't afford kids then don't have them. If you want socialism go to china.

While we are at it lets turn away all illegals at the hospital and clear the emergency rooms for emergencies only.

Ok too many others to list but that would be a start.

Perhaps when we are finished passing the hat to pay for everyone that defaulted on their mortgage (that they probably knew they couldn't afford in the first place), bailing out businesses that failed because of crappy management, and providing health care for free to non-citizens, then we can afford to be a little more generous.

[texasmom]

I don't under any circumstances believe that we have an obligation to help anyone at all ~ ever.

What I think is ridiculous is that we make these kinds of meaningless gestures of generosity to give the appearance of being the kind, considerate neighbor ~ when in truth it doesn't mean a thing.  If you're going to help, it should be for the purpose of making a difference... not just "oh, look! we're being nice again!" with an amount that is obviously laughable. 

Duh ~ the original post wasn't about the money ~ it was about the fake gesture of generosity. 

[68Wooley]

The European Union should not require financial aid in this situation. If there's specialist equipment or personnel needed, that would be a different matter, but I can't see why the US would provide financial aid to a region of equal economic strength.

[AWwrgwy]

IIRC the U.S. has always turned down any offer of foreign aid.  It is merely a gesture.

Coincidentally:

PRIME Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has declined foreign humanitarian aid following Italy's earthquake, said on Tuesday he may accept US aid to restore cultural sites damaged in the disaster.

And, it would seem that 2 C-130s is Italy's SOP for earthquake relief:

In 2003, Italy sent two C-130 cargo planes to Iran, after the city of Bam - a UNESCO world heritage site - was destroyed by a massive earthquake. More than 30,000 people died.

wrongway

[VonMessa]

The European Union should not require financial aid in this situation. If there's specialist equipment or personnel needed, that would be a different matter, but I can't see why the US would provide financial aid to a region of equal economic strength.

Or perhaps a better economic strength at this stage of the game?  

[Die Hard]

I wonder how much the Italians have spent on helping America in that other big disaster, the war in Iraq? My guess is a lot more than $50k.