I think it's a image thing. I think it all started when we became the world superpower. Since we're the richest country in the world it is assumed that all of our people are taken care of. As we all know this isn't the case. The world now expects us to provide as much aide as is needed wherever it is needed.

I think it is mostly due to politics and political decisions, and the United States' belief that we must take care of other countries in many very expensive ways, even when we have the large number of starving, impoverished and needy people here in our own country. While I am in favor of helping others, I think we need to do it AFTER we are in good shape first, and we haven't done that for a very long time. It's sad indeed, but politics dictates to the highest degree I am sure, how our budget is spent. That is one reason I always vote in all elections!

If you ever travel to Africa you will see how nice those American shacks are in comparison to the shantys (literally thousands of houses lined up around the city border made of one or two pieces of plywood, with no electricity, no bathroom) the Africans live in. People don't realize how nice we have it here. The average person in Africa has to work 6, 12 hour days a week just to feed their family, much less provide for them. In many places they only eat one meal a day (because that is all they can afford), and that is just a handful of corn meal (in Zambia it is called Nsima). Zambia is, by African standards, fairly well to do, but has an unemployment rate of about 40%. Where the average life expectancy in the US is about 72, in Africa it averages to a little less than 40. That is because of the hard life inadequate hospitals (leading to an enormous infant death rate) and the rampant disease (around 20% of the people in Zambia have HIV/AIDS). I have a friend from Zimbabwe that told me about 50% of the African population knows without a doubt it will die within 10 years because of the health issues. Americans, even those in poverty, are very blessed because, for the most part, they at least have food.

good question ive wondered that myself, why went sent millions when the tsunimi hit those countries & we were there within 24 hours(or it seemed) but could'nt get into help our own in huricane katrina struck areas & did'nt have the money to help our own who have been displaced for a long time.

We think it's bad here, but we don't even have close to the worst or it. The poorest people here actually have a relatively high standard of life--we're just all too spoiled to see it! And many of the homeless/poor have options, whether it is government aid, homeless shelters, food stamps, whatever. We can't only think of ourselves.

Honestly, in the case of Africa, we would give more if we could get the aid the the people. In most cases, the government and/or army steals the aid.

The United States is one of the lowest providers of foreign aid, per head of population, in the developed world.

Of the total 60 billion dollars G8 has just offered in financial aid, America is providing 50 billion. The 7 other super powers are giving 10 collectively. Why? this money is more like a LOAN than a gift. the countries have to pay the money back, often with interest. and when they can't, their natural resources, the ONLY thing they have going for them, is pillaged by these countries. don't think for one second that money is just given away. the only reason african countries agree to even accept the aid(loan) is because the politicians can pocket the money. when it comes time to pay, they're in exile on some tropical island on the other side of the world, and the EVERYMAN in africa, still has nothing...oh, except more debt.

The us government, Bush, and whoever else wants to secure oil in the middle east and get rich. Millions of dollars. People cant afford gas or healthcare. veterans, responsible older citizens. and disabled living in crappy conditions. its a shame. i wish i had a choice i would go somewhere else. my whole family is here. i am a nurse seeking a higher degree and a vet. I work in a big hospital in NC, 4 yrs Navy, 4 yrs NCANG.

I don't know. And if you look at the debt we are and have been giving $$$$$$ we don't have. It is crazy.

I wrote to the first President Bush and asked that question years ago and I got an answer from one of his aides saying that we have trade agreements that we must honor, even if it means Americans starving to death. We must keep those people from staving first and Americans do not matter to the US government. Our government has fooled the American people forever and now we are catching on. The government cares nothing for Americans. Remember they care for others first and prove it each and everyday. Look at the senior Americans starving and without medicines and illegal immigrants are very well cared for by the government taking out of taxpayer money.