Haiti and Rush Limbaugh; Haiti and Foreign Aid

Did you hear what Rush Limbaugh said about Haiti. Has what Rush Limbaugh said about Haiti caused you to finally say, this has gone too far? Remember, Rush Limbaugh is quoted overseas as well. Does this cause you embarassment as an American?

Here's a letter I'm sending to my local radio station:

Dave Maurer
Program Manager
WSGW-AM 790

Dear. Mr. Maurer:

I have just learned that on your radio station last week, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Haiti, syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh stated, "We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax." Limbaugh also stated that President Obama is promoting aid to Haitian victims in order to "boost his credibility with the black community."

I did not hear this on your radio station, because I don't listen to your radio station, for the reason that you have been carrying Rush Limbaugh for so many years. However, I viewed a videotape on the web and thus can verify this is true.

Don't you think it's time that WSGW find some sort of other programming material for those three afternoon hours each weekday?

Sincerely,

Mike Thompson

............ Readers, is there a radio station in your region that carries Rush Limbaugh? Might you consider sending a similar letter?

Long-Term Foreign Aid Issues

These closing remarks may prove unpopular with some readers, who will perceive that inappropriate political statements are being made during a time of such tragedy in Haiti. This is why the remarks have been saved for the final segment. However, conscience leads me to bring them out. Plus, facts are facts.

-- The cost of U.S. disaster aid to Haiti during the first week after the earthquake was $163.9 million, according to a White House report issued Jan. 21. This included $73.9 million for search and rescue, $68 million for food, and $22 million for other forms of help.

-- The cost of the Iraq War is $1,940 million per week, through the first 363 weeks of conflict since March 2003. (Total cost is $703 billion, or to stick with millions, $703,000 million.)

-- The cost of the Afghanistan War is $587 million per week, through the first 427 weeks of conflict since December 2001. (Total cost is $250 billion, or to stick with millions, $250,000 million.)

In other words, for all we've seen on television, our government during the past week has spent 16 times more money in Iraq/Afghanistan than in Haiti. And, here's another point to consider:

-- Annual U.S. foreign aid to Israel is $2,500 million. To Haiti, $163 million. The U.S. sends nearly as much to Israel as to Africa, the Caribbean (including Haiti), and Latin America combined.

Are our government's priorities mixed up, or what? Right now we need to raise instant emergency funds for Haiti. But in the long term, our government spends a whole lot more than we can afford to raise privately, and we need to put these priorities in order.

SOURCES

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/limbaugh-weve-already-don_n_422958.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/united-states-government-haiti-earthquake-disaster-response-update-12110

http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/politics/us-foreign-aid.htm

hppt://costofwar.com/