The WaTi [1]this morning is running a story about how the UN thinks we’re being ‘stingy’ on aid to the quake/tsunami aid efforts.
“The Bush administration yesterday pledged $15 million to Asian nations hit by a tsunami that has killed more than 22,500 people, although the United Nations’ humanitarian-aid chief called the donation “stingy.”
“The United States, at the president’s direction, will be a leading partner in one of the most significant relief, rescue and recovery challenges that the world has ever known,” said White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy.
But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being “stingy” with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised. ”
So,$15 million, particularly given the demonstrable corruption of the UN where money is concerned, isn’t enough for these socialists… and they want us to raise our taxes to deal with the UN’s financial demands.
But here’s how a socialist thinks, people…
“There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy,” he said, adding that politicians in the United States 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.”
Well, they’ve always had that chance. Why do such fund raising efforts require governmental involvement? The fact is, they don’t. People around the world can give f their own accord, assuming the government hasn’t taken it all already.
And Americans, by actual dollar count, are among the most generous, when you consider all the sources of funding… most of which is NON governmental funding. Indeed, the White House points this up very well indeed.
“In response to Mr. Egeland’s comments, Mr. Duffy pointed out that the United States is “the largest contributor to international relief and aid efforts, not only through the government, but through charitable organizations. The American people are very giving.”
And in light of this, I’d like to ask Jan Egeland a question; What is the status of private, non-governmental giving to such relief… Including non-UN-based relief.. in other countries? Which is the most generous overall? It’s a question the UN and it’s supporters will never answer.
Oh, and by the way… that $15 million pledged so far is not the end of the governmental involvement, either.
“Secretary of State Colin L. Powell hinted that the $15 million U.S. offer was only the first installment of a larger aid package to those countries devastated by 30-foot waves triggered by a massive underwater earthquake.
“We also have to see this not just as a one-time thing,” he said. “Some 20-plus thousand lives have been lost in a few moments, but the lingering effects will be there for years.
“The damage that was caused, the rebuilding of schools and other facilities will take time,” he added. “So you need a quick infusion to stabilize the situation, take care of those who have been injured, get immediate relief
supplies in, and then you begin planning for the longer haul.”
The bottom line here we we’re doing our part and more.
And the UN is being it’s usual self. Greedy, ungrateful, and anti-American.
And in light of THAT, we now see the UN for what it is; Not needed.
Do you recall the UN wanting to tax everyone in the world, particularly the US?
We’ve seen the corruption in Oil-For Food. Can you imagine the corruption not only possible, but likely, should any of their wet dreams of being able to tax us, come into being?
Someone accused me yesterday of using this tragedy for my own political ends, when I mentioned that I’d not seen the UN becoming involved in the relief efforts there. Indeed, those not getting UN finding were first on the scene, and have been thusfar doing the majority of the work.
I’d like to ask those making that accusation against me to consider; What do you suppose the UN to be doing, when it uses this event to call for increased taxation on the US, to pay for UN programs?
Not that I expect an answer.
Update: So does Captain Ed, [3]who says in part:
How despicable that Jan Egeland uses the deaths of at least 55,000 people to pursue his political ambitions. The UN undersecretary should already know these figures. He should also understand that when governments don’t steal everything they can from their citizens, the citizens can be trusted to do the right thing with their money. Egeland’s sneering Eurocentrism symbolizes everything that is wrong with the UN: politics over people, ideology over humanity. Egeland provides yet another reason for the US to stop paying UN salaries until they clean house at Turtle Bay.
UPDATE:Now, Egeland claims ‘I was misrepresented’ [4].
Bull. I saw the text of the press conference. He wasn’t misrepresented at all.
It’s what he said. And based on the fact that what he said is very consistant with UN policy, one can only assume it’s what he meant…. and I’m not buying the rather hasty and half-hearted, butt -covering retraction now.