Should We Help Haiti Rebuild?

According to Transparency International, Haiti is ranked 168^th out of 180 countries listed in their Corruption Perception Index. The index gives Haiti a score of only 1.8 out of a possible 10.0. (10.0 being totally "clean" or corruption free.) That makes Haiti one of the most corrupt governments on earth.

(Source: http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2009/cpi_2009_table)

In Montreal on Monday, January 25, 2010, Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive stated: "What we're looking for is a long-term commitment ... At least five to 10 years," he told the conference, which included the United States, Canada, France and 10 other countries."
(Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60O29A20100126)

This puts the United States between a rock and a hard place!

Consider: "Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its 9 million people survive on less than $2 per day. Only 10 percent of Haitians have electrical service. Fifty-four percent live in abject poverty, many of them without access to potable water or sanitary facilities."
(Source: http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=6911.5422.0.0)

The United States alone has funneled billions of dollars into Haiti since 1993. Where has it gone? Ask any knowledgeable Haitian and they will tell you right into the pockets of corrupt politicians!

Now the Prime Minister is calling for a five to ten year commitment to rebuild his country? What has he - and those before him-done with all those other billions already received?

I am not criticizing the Haitian people here! My heart goes out to them, just as yours does. I am grateful that Americans are so generous and giving in disasters like these, and I certainly applaud all the efforts to help these people.

But that's my point exactly: The PEOPLE of Haiti need help- NOT the government!

The Haitian government has lived by corruption for two hundred years or more!
"Ever since Haiti gained independence in 1804, the country has excelled in producing millions of refugees and at least 34 coup d'états, but it has failed to achieve even the most basic levels of economic and social development."
(Source: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/14/the_ghosts_of_port_au_prince)

Thirty four coup d'etats in 206 years. One set of corrupt officials overthrowing another set of corrupt officials! In all that time, how have the people of Haiti fared? As quoted above, more than 50 per cent live in abject poverty, while a few- the corrupt ones at the top- live in wealth and luxury.

Knowing the history of this beleaguered country, should the United States get involved in a long-range plan to help Haiti? Or will we simply be throwing more good money after bad?

The corrupt politicians in Haiti have proven for two hundred years that they could care less about the plight of their people! Is it reasonable to assume that somehow, in the light of this tragedy, Haitian officials will now turn over a new leaf and begin actually helping their people instead of themselves? I seriously doubt it, given their past record!

Can a leopard change its spots?

The only way to insure the rebuilding of Haiti's economy and infrastructure is by our taking total control of the situation- by doing it ourselves. But if America does that, the rest of the world will jump all over us, condemning us "empire builders", "aggressors", "invaders".

Our so-called friends, such as France and Italy have already made those very statements, hypocritically criticizing our humanitarian efforts, while doing little themselves except talk.

Let's face facts: No matter what we do, it will be wrong as far as they are concerned!

Haiti needs our help. We can all agree on that. And critics notwithstanding, we, of all nations, have the ability to provide that help. It will probably devolve down to America doing most of it, anyway.

But before we, or Canada, or any other country, spend another dime trying to rebuild Haiti, we need more than just "assurances" our aid will go where it's intended to go- we need absolute, iron-clad guarantees it will happen! Otherwise, we will do nothing more than perpetuate the same deplorable conditions that have existed for two hundred years!

If we do take on the task of rebuilding Haiti, the money we provide must be used to help the people- not the politicians! Only then will the people of Haiti have any chance of really recovering from this disaster.