Originally Posted by bhutocracy

200,000 dead over a half dozen poor ass countries vs 55... it's a bit ignorant to be comparing the two. Plus a lot of the aid we give countries isn't just free money.. it's loans and and cash with strings attached. For instance Australia "gave" a billion dollar in the tsunami which i think was the highest amount out of any country (and rightly so given we're the closest rich western nation to the impact - taking care of your own backyard and all) but up to half of that was a LOAN. You really need to read up on aid as an economic weapon... often it's given on the condition that utilities etc are privatised or opened to investment by American companies.. it's like getting $50 to let someone in your house to repair it because it's urgent, and while they're there you're giving them access to the family silver as well. All countries do it. It's not as crazy generous as most people think. But there is of course a percentage of real aid aimed at keeping everything stable.