Obama: $100 million in U.S. aid for Haiti

One Hundred Million Dollars!

I wonder how the Americans that just lost lost their homes due to foreclosure feel about this?

Paulo

Thank God, we haven't lost our humanitarianism. I had thought with that last crew, Bush&Cheney, we had forgotten humankind. I am sorry for the people of Haiti and hope they can recover from this disaster, as quickly as is humanly possible. God bless all of them, in spite of Robertson's ravings.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Why not 100 bagillion? Yeah team BO we rule. EEEEEEEEEERRRRRGHHH

How about paying our kids debt.

I have nothing against sending Haiti aid, helping them, etc. What Obama is doing here is not unlike what President Bush did to help the victims of the tsunami five years ago. When one looks at the money given from the U.S., government and through private donations for the tsunami victims, it totaled well into the billions of dollars, and that doesn't include the billions of dollars in cost for the U.S. military and other agencies via manpower, transportation, etc.
But, it is rather ironic that Obama is doing more to help the Haitians than he is the people of his own country. The stimulus was a non-helping farce. The mortgage relief act also was an expensive, do-nothing farce.
Let's send help to these people, who do need it. But let's not make Obama's efforts into another hero worship Farrah Fawcett 1970s poster moment for the fawning and adoring media.

This incident is sad, but the help needed for our own people losing their homes and jobs goes ignored.

Yes, we helped with the Tsunami, and this, and that, and this, and that. We CANNOT help everyone, all the time.

I'm broke, out of work, and having to go into my savings to pay my mortgage. Where's my aid?

And my taxes increased.

STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DON"T HAVE!

Perhaps all the Wall Street execs who got big bonuses could fund this or at least commit some funds from their own bank accounts to help...hey, why not?

Paulo Its racist to care about Americans EEEEEEEEEEERRGGHH!!

Any chance of Haiti becoming our 57th state before Nov 2012? Just "axing"..................REV Wright

The homeless guy who just asked me for spare change should be helped before people in other countries.

Jeez, Don Fitzgerald. Does everything in the world come down to Obama vs Bush for you?

You must have conveniently forgotten that the Bush administration provided $850 million in assistance to the Indian Ocean tsunami victims in 2004-2005. Here are some of the highlights of that effort:

http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia/tsunami/

I didn't particularly care for Bush either, but you don't have to make up stuff in order to criticize his administration.

A quick history lesson for the morons who say that we shouldn't help those in Haiti right now. After the Chicago fire in 1871, when Chicago was facing a disaster similar to that faced in Haiti right now, there was an outpouring of aid to Chicago from countries around the world. Get over your Obama hate for a few minutes and try to grow a heart.

How much are the Europeans
going to pny up?..
Buhler? Buhler anyone?

These people certainly need help, however where or where are the other countries of the world?. And just where the hell is Nobama getting this 100 million in relief? Is he going to go into his own pocket or is this Monopoly money?.

Giving aid is a nice gesture, but when does it stop? Too many in our own country need help.

I certainly hope that most of these are one poster who changes his name. I would hate to think there are this many subhumans out there. Maybe that brave poster "rev wright" would explain his need to use Just "axing"..................? Care to explain? Brave patriot. I guess the right needs religion because it seems they certainly have more to be forgiven.

It is really disconcerting that even in a crisis like Haiti, Obama cannot look at the camera -- into the eyes of the viewer -- when announcing this assistance. Would one of his advisers please tell him that the sign of a liar is not being able to look one in the face? Obama looks off-camera into the TelePrompter screens at all times. He may or may not be disenguous, but he sure looks like it with his TP act.

And $75 million of it will go directly into the pockets of Haiti's corrupt ruling class. The Obama Buffoon strikes again.

Do you remember in April, he was so generous when Italy had the earthquake and sent them 50 Thousand Dollars?

We've already donated "emergency" money to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax.

"The tale of U.S. foreign aid to Haiti is maddening, as well-meaning Americans dump more and more money to alleviate suffering, only to see little or no actual improvement in the living conditions on the ground.

Since 1973, the United States has been the world’s largest foreign aid donor to Haiti, which ranks among the world’s poorest countries.

From 1990 to 2005, the U.S. sent $1.46 billion to Haiti in aid from development assistance and children's health, through the Economic Support Fund, the U.S. food program, Peace Corps, and foreign military training (although that was only $4.6 million, with $3 million coming in 1995.) More recently, "In May 2008, the Bush administration announced that it would send an additional $25 million in emergency food aid to Haiti, bringing its total emergency contribution to $45 million... Congress provided $100 million for hurricane relief and reconstruction assistance for Haiti and other Caribbean countries in the FY 2009 continuing appropriations resolution, signed September 2008. Haiti received an estimated $287 million in regular appropriations for FY 2009."" (NRO)

So why hasn't all this aid done any good? Perhaps because Haiti is rated the 3rd most corrupt country in the world.

If past is any precedent, a lot of this $100 million will end up in the Swiss bank accounts of corrupt Haitian politicians. And Haiti will ask us for even more.

Paulo Its racist to care about Americans EEEEEEEEEEERRGGHH!!

Posted by: Libtard | January 14, 2010 12:03 PM
----
Careful - drooling into your keyboard may electrocute you.

John Fitzgerald said, "Thank God, we haven't lost our humanitarianism. I had thought with that last crew, Bush&Cheney, we had forgotten humankind. "
Cheney donated million$ of his own money to charity. (Clinton gave used underwear. remember the sunami...Bush sent 2 arcraft carriers with medical and other aid.
Liberals are only generous with other people's money

7 million people out of work after 8 years of bush/cheny. i have two nephews who just graduated HS and cannot find jobs or afford college. charity begins at home. let's help the unfortunate in this country. we can't save everyone so let's save Americans.

To those upset about helping Haitians before some Amercians. I'm just as upset as many of you about deficit spending, but we are the richest nation on Earth. Our per capita GDP is *60* times that of Haiti and is the poorest country in our Hemishpere. Surely we can help these people who really did nothing but be born in the "wrong" country. What did you really do personally to be so lucky to be an American?

AS I SEE IT, by Mainer Mike Brown ---

Some will say that this $100 million should used for America. But what are we supposed to do, never help a nation in need after a disaster? Other countries certainly helped us out after Katrina!

I think the aid should be triplrd to 300 million dollars. Also, I think that this country shouls allow about 1.5 million Haitians be allowed to apply for citizenship in lieu of the upcoming amnesty proposal!

What about aid to U.S? There are only so many "G's" in the alphabet....

Let's help our own first....enough with all this foriegn aid.

panty waist Paolo:

100 million!
I wonder how the Americans that just lost lost their homes due to foreclosure feel about this?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How would you like them to feel, paolo the compassionate?

Only someone completely devoid of a soul would attempt to capitalize politically from this human tragedy.

Rush tried and so has Pat Robertson. Now comes Paolo.

It must really suck to be you.

Whats up with all these liberals. We owe nothing to Haiti. That money is needed here. Let the oil monarchies pay for it. We have dying and starving americans and elderly with no place to go. How horrible is that? Wake up America, your problems are right here.

wearerofthongs...
It was a good question regarding our fellow Americans who lost their homes due to panty waists failed promise to help them out, so...the money goes to Haiti instead.
Too bad it flew over your liberal brain.

Paulo

Wow, some of you are just unbelivable. Do you know how badly Haiti was hit? Do you know the difference between having to go on welfare and wondering if your entire family was killed? Do you know the difference between having a financial hardship and having essentially your entire country crumble to dust? Um its hard here (its been hard for me), I get it. But situations like that? I'm sorry--we dont come close.

Does that make any sense to you people at all? Oh no, I get it--hes helping because they are all black and hes black so yeah, thats probably it.

Wow, just sad, really sad.

Good, their just as corrupt leaders need topocket more money.

May sound stupid, but a good idea. Considering the state of the country. The government might want to give money, but why give to a corrupt nation. We could send people who have no work here, there to build homes, electric, water. And the government pay them. Dang everyone benefits from that. Wonder if Obama's people even thought of that.

May sound stupid, but a good idea. Considering the state of the country. The government might want to give money, but why give to a corrupt nation. We could send people who have no work here, there to build homes, electric, water. And the government pay them. Dang everyone benefits from that. Wonder if Obama's people even thought of that.

$100 million? This is money well spent, if done with accountability - something Haiti is not know for. It's small dollars in the scheme of the thing and most importantly the right thing to do in times of a true disaster.

As for paying for this, just have Obama's cabinet and members of Congress pay all their back taxes and we can sell Pelosi's jets.

First, this is a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out for them. I just want to make that part clear and I am not uncompassionate to their plight.

However, how in the hell can the US government send money they do NOT have? America is in serious CRISIS! We have severe needs right here. Where in the hell are they getting an "extra" 100 million dollars from to aid anyone?

America is BANKRUPT! TRILLIONS upon TRILLIONS of dollars in DEBT! So, not just BROKE, but in a HUGE HOLE!

Common sense...how can you give/loan anyone anything when YOU DON'T HAVE IT TO GIVE!????

How have the American people become so god-dammed STUPID!!!!????

STAND UP AND FIGHT AGAINST this government! Its in NO WAY FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE! TAKE BACK AMERICA AND MAKE IT STRONG AGAIN! This will NOT happen with the "government" in charge! The PEOPLE need to REVOLT and TAKE IT BACK to the REAL PEOPLE LEVEL!

The comments left here only affirm how ignorant and selfish us Americans can be. Do any of you complaining about sending money to Haiti have access to a television or newspaper? The situation there is beyond total devastation. Bodies are everywhere and there is no longer any shelter, places to buy food and water, basic life necesities are nonexistent. We are dealing with difficult times in the US but, if you are posting here then you are on a computer somewhere probably in a climate controlled environment. Wake up and realize that Haitians are suffering under unimaginable circumstances and they need help.

The comments left here only affirm how ignorant and selfish us Americans can be. Do any of you complaining about sending money to Haiti have access to a television or newspaper? The situation there is beyond total devastation. Bodies are everywhere and there is no longer any shelter, places to buy food and water, basic life necesities are nonexistent. We are dealing with difficult times in the US but, if you are posting here then you are on a computer somewhere probably in a climate controlled environment. Wake up and realize that Haitians are suffering under unimaginable circumstances and they need help.

I don't recall a single instance where the U.S., in any humanitarian effort, has failed to be the VERY FIRST nation to send the majority of assistance and continue carrying the burden long after everyone else has backed their bags and gone home.

But I am concerned that Obama is going to open the doors to the U.S. and allow these Haitians into the country permanently, place them on welfare, set them up in our communities and permit the U.S. taxpayer to foot the bill. America, keep your eyes open

BO will probably let them move here to replace all the voters he has lost after just 1 yr on the job below 50% approval and sinking fast.

We can keep talking and typing, but until we really show the government that we are tired of the way they run this country you might as well start enjoying losing money and your freedom more and more over the years. Im not talking bout vote for repulicans or democrats. Im saying read the Declaration of Independence again expecially the last few lines. When our government stops working for us it is our right and duty to make it our government again for the people and by the people

We can keep talking and typing, but until we really show the government that we are tired of the way they run this country you might as well start enjoying losing money and your freedom more and more over the years. Im not talking bout vote for repulicans or democrats. Im saying read the Declaration of Independence again expecially the last few lines. When our government stops working for us it is our right and duty to make it our government again for the people and by the people

I have seen the total devastation taking place in Haiti, and I totally sympathize with them and I'm sure they are experiencing far worse conditions right now than any of us can even imagine.
But let's not show our compassion in the form of a large type-written number to show up in all of the news headlines, disappear into Haiti's corrupt government, while the suffering people sit and wonder and wait if we really gave anything other than lip service to their plight.
Let's send real American aid in the form of doctors and food distributors, and I agree: let's put that $100 mil into paying them for the job they are doing. That way Haiti gets actual help and Americans get actual jobs. We all win.

PJH said, "we are the richest nation on Earth". We're not, PJH, we are $12 trillion in debt, making us the biggest debtor nation.
Michelle asks, "Do you know the difference between having a financial hardship and having essentially your entire country crumble to dust?"
Don't worry, Michelle, they'll know how that feels after the tab collectors come in. Hopefully, then, Haiti's corrupt government officials will repay our kindness.

Please, cease this madness of ohh why are these foreigners getting them cookies from our jars yet daddy aint dishing anything to us...? sic!

The fact remains as a fac, especially to that low lifes that are bragging about what the previous administrations offered contra their respective opponents. Have you forgotten the hurricane catrina?? and for those asking where the other nations are, i challange you to show me 1, yes 1 single photograph wshowing an american pulling out one Haitian pinned down under them rubble's. So far, i've seen Taiwanese, Israeli, south African, Swedish, British and many other rescuers but not a single America. Yes the mighty USA is going to give 100 mil USD, shame shame and shame for such a mighty nation for having lived next door to one of the most poorest countries in the world.

My question is where is this 100 million coming from? Our own country is broke and the economy sucks. I'm not saying we shouldn't help, but where are these millions coming from? If we can get a hold of 100 million for Haiti, how come we can't get all this money to rebuilt out OWN economy. There are people here in our own state who have lost everything they own, have no jobs, no money and a family to feed?

The Constitution does not empower the federal government to take our money and give to foreign nations for any reason... even disaster relief. Before you launch an attack on me for being "cold, heartless, selfish and greedy", consider this. How many times have US disaster relief funds ended up in off-shore bank accounts (off-shore as in another country other than the one with the disaster)? How many times have these aid dollars been given with strings attached... strings that do not serve the people of either country, but serve nefarious political objectives that benefit members of the corporate / financial / banking elite?

If the federal government ceased to give such aid, our taxes could be reduced. That would leave more money under OUR control. WE would have the ability to donate to private charities that can deliver aid without the corruptness, graft and waste that is synonymous with government administration. Private charities make public their administration costs so the donors can see how much of their donations actually go to those in need. Can you say the same thing about the government?

If you think government is the preferred delivery system, there are thousands of people in New Orleans who would like to talk to you. They have suffered because of our government's illegal commandeering of the charity / aid process.

The President's role should have been to make a public plea for donations to private charities who are equipped to provide aid to Haiti. His own donation(s) to such would the the crown of such an example. I would bet that more money would be donated and would reach the people in need under that scenario than will reach them via government aid.

Amazing to me that, AGAIN, we are giving money to a corrupt country and government. We have people in the United States that need $100 million. We are spending money that we don't have. Are there any fiscal responsible politicians left???? The people of the U.S. wanted Obama....here you go. I told you so.........

i am thinking about the task of removing tons of cement rupple and wonder if some creative engineer with an eye to the future could we build a resorvior and start a clean water plant or use the sea or... maybe terraces that are bare so some crops/ trees can be planted... just thinking iam sure the creative engineers can find a great idea thank you sarah

I agree 100% with the majority of these post. I know some people are saying "how can some of you americans think this way?" Easy, we are in need of assistance ourselves. I am totally not saying don't help. That would be utterly selfish. Yes we could and can help in many ways. However at the cost of what? Our economy isn't the greatest . Fair enough we aren't where haiti is, however why wait until something like that happens.
I pray for haiti and the haitian people every single day. I have haitian friends as well. I just believe there are so many who stand in need of our services here in the U.S. and i'm just afriad they'll be put once again on the back burner. If we have so much to give, why not give it to the american people? At least some of it. We have plenty of homeless and jobless indiviuals. I believe in giving to haiti absolutely. America most definitely should help in aiding them. It's a blessing to help others and it's just a beautiful thing to do. All i'm saying is let's not forget the american CHILDREN and FAMILIES here who are dying because of things they can't afford. So open up your eyes and look around and when you find every single american family and child off the streets and not breaking down because of lack of resources, get back to me.

We owe China $800 billion and they are sending Haiti $1 million. One hundredth of what we are sending. Spain is trying to compete with us, though, sending the second most at $4 million. I say let's send the $100 million "from China" and then send China a note that reads "$100 million has been sent to Haiti in your name" and consider our national debt $100 million paid. Sure, China will never lend to us again, but that's probably a good thing.

Bill R., you are a typical liberal: quick to call someone "subhuman" simply he or she disagrees with you. You should worry about your own soul, Billy Boy, and knock off the self-righteous b.s. I find people like you to be the most cheap insensitive pr*cks on the planet. If you want to give YOUR money to that rat hole Haiti, please do so. But do not presume to tell others how and when to give their money away.

This will sound horrible to most of you...but I say send no support.

Their country was already over-populated with people who had terrible living conditions...let those who can't survive perish and then maybe Haiti will be able to live sustainably again.

I don't remember anyone asking me if I'd like to donate my share of the 100000000 to them...I'd rather feed the burgeoning homeless population here in the United Stated of America.

Whow... It is nothing what USA is doing...

" The State Department said today that people already have contributed more than $3 million in $10 donations with text messages."

For example - The Netherlands already collected 83 Million EURO yesterday under the people.

USA
--
3M / 300M CITIZENS =
0.0098 US DOLLAR PER CITIZEN

HOLLAND
--
83M / 16M CITIZENS
5.19 EURO PER CITIZEN

USA MUST BE DEEPLY ASHAMED TO COME WITH THIS KIND OF MONEY

If we have any empathy or sense of ethics at all we have to respond in cases of natuaral disaster such as Haiti. It is great that so many countries have come to the aid of Haitians especially as the Haitians did not have the resources we do to beigin with. What concerns me is that the USA has 3.7 million people living on the streets including 1.34 million children. Even in the downturned economy the USA has the ability to access many resources for others and for itself if it chooses. Obama is trying to help the USA use its resources more wisely for its own people. Politically this is a struggle. The USA has everything it needs but chooses not to help its own destitute people or ensure that everyone has helath care. Why is that?

where did we get this 100 million dollars to give? i am not saying we should or should not give to this terrible disaster...just curious how we came up with it yet cant get the backbone of our nation off the ground? prayers go out to the haitians...
PRAYERS ALSO go out to the people of our own dying nation.
catch22

Help them out right now, take care of the injured, sick and hungry then get out!! INSTEAD OF FILLING THEM UP ON FILLETS, TEACH THEM HOW TO FISH!! We need to help these People out, but there also comes a time when you have to take control of your own lives and take control of your Country!!
We have given the Haitian Government Billions of dollars over the years, for what?!!!
The people don't get it, some rich assholes in their gov get it!!!!
85% of the population is homeless, house and buidlings have absolutely no Bldg. Codes and coruption, coruption, coruption in the government. Hey except for the bldg codes it sounds like the US!

It's so good to know that charity begins at home. And that BO is grandstanding with our tax dollars, or should I say our future, continuing and overwhelming debt. BO just doesn't get that we are suffering here in our own country. OUR own people are homeless because they lost their jobs and then their homes. Yet, the only recipients of BO's "generosity" are banks, Wall Street and automakers and unions. Has BO done one thing to really help the desperate, former middle-class citizens who ultimately pay the tab for BO's "compassion"? Hell, no.
All we get is "pay your taxes and shutup".
This country really is doomed as gradually those actually paying taxes will have earned no money to tax. The rich pay very little proportionally in taxes. Write-offs for their luxury items and tax loopholes allow them to keep their money. What happens when the middle-class becomes extinct? BIG TROUBLE. Think of the USA as a third world country. It will happen.

I thought that it was the world to help the world, not the U.S. to help the word. We need to focus on our own.

For those who clearly do not understand how US aid works generally is is working in Haiti, here are the facts:
for every dollar spent towards the relief:
43cents is for the US army
1cent goes to the Haitian Government
1/2 cent to the Dominican republic
The rest goes to private contactors, consultants, farmers, and companies in the US.
So really, the $100 million will serve as a source of job creation in the US not to the Haitians.

Mo

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100 million so they can make an example of are missionarys where do i apply for this job

I agree with you Paulo, I've gone through hell trying to keep my home for my daughter and I after I was totally raped by the ancient divorce "laws" of this country, now I'm loosing my home, and no one is giving me ANY God Damn relief! In fact, they are refusing to provide me with any stimulus help at all...I have been a slash away from suicide for the last 7 years because of this worthless fucking government, screw foreign aid, you cant help others if you cant help yourself....why don't we just give them our fucking country and us 'americans' can move elseware...thats where it seems to be heading...I do feel for the victims of disasters, but I've also busted my ass for every scrap I've ever had, just to have it taken away, while others have the exact same handed to them for NOTHING! You reap what you sow, except here...What a fucking joke...Kill us all and let God sort us out...

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I understand that its the right thing to do is help out when you can, but when is enough enough? That 100 million could have gone to help people in our own country! We have people that are hungry,out on the streets everyday, loosing their jobs, loosing their homes, the economy is going down the toilet etc. That money could have helped here too! But i have a question what country will help us if something happens here? What country would come help us and send us 100 million dollars or more in relief aid or? And where did that 100 million dollars come from? Did it came from our presidents pocket? Nope I don't think so..tax payers money more than likely! When anything goes wrong Oh taxpayers will cover the expense..right..? Well I dint give any one permission to send my money..I want my money back! I thought that we were in a rescission? But we can afford to send 100 million dollars? How does that make any sense?

Published on Sunday, January 17, 2010 by CommonDreams.org
Why the US Owes Haiti Billions – The Briefest History
by Bill Quigley

Why does the US owe Haiti Billions? Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State, stated his foreign policy view as the "Pottery Barn rule." That is - "if you break it, you own it."

The US has worked to break Haiti for over 200 years. We owe Haiti. Not charity. We owe Haiti as a matter of justice. Reparations. And not the $100 million promised by President Obama either - that is Powerball money. The US owes Haiti Billions - with a big B.

The US has worked for centuries to break Haiti. The US has used Haiti like a plantation. The US helped bleed the country economically since it freed itself, repeatedly invaded the country militarily, supported dictators who abused the people, used the country as a dumping ground for our own economic advantage, ruined their roads and agriculture, and toppled popularly elected officials. The US has even used Haiti like the old plantation owner and slipped over there repeatedly for sexual recreation.

Here is the briefest history of some of the major US efforts to break Haiti.

In 1804, when Haiti achieved its freedom from France in the world's first successful slave revolution, the United States refused to recognize the country. The US continued to refuse recognition to Haiti for 60 more years. Why? Because the US continued to enslave millions of its own citizens and feared recognizing Haiti would encourage slave revolution in the US.

After the 1804 revolution, Haiti was the subject of a crippling economic embargo by France and the US. US sanctions lasted until 1863. France ultimately used its military power to force Haiti to pay reparations for the slaves who were freed. The reparations were 150 million francs. (France sold the entire Louisiana territory to the US for 80 million francs!)

Haiti was forced to borrow money from banks in France and the US to pay reparations to France. A major loan from the US to pay off the French was finally paid off in 1947. The current value of the money Haiti was forced to pay to French and US banks? Over $20 Billion - with a big B.

The US occupied and ruled Haiti by force from 1915 to 1934. President Woodrow Wilson sent troops to invade in 1915. Revolts by Haitians were put down by US military - killing over 2000 in one skirmish alone. For the next nineteen years, the US controlled customs in Haiti, collected taxes, and ran many governmental institutions. How many billions were siphoned off by the US during these 19 years?

From 1957 to 1986 Haiti was forced to live under US backed dictators "Papa Doc" and "Baby Doc" Duvlaier. The US supported these dictators economically and militarily because they did what the US wanted and were politically "anti-communist" - now translatable as against human rights for their people. Duvalier stole millions from Haiti and ran up hundreds of millions in debt that Haiti still owes. Ten thousand Haitians lost their lives. Estimates say that Haiti owes $1.3 billion in external debt and that 40% of that debt was run up by the US-backed Duvaliers.

Thirty years ago Haiti imported no rice. Today Haiti imports nearly all its rice. Though Haiti was the sugar growing capital of the Caribbean, it now imports sugar as well. Why? The US and the US dominated world financial institutions - the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank - forced Haiti to open its markets to the world. Then the US dumped millions of tons of US subsidized rice and sugar into Haiti - undercutting their farmers and ruining Haitian agriculture. By ruining Haitian agriculture, the US has forced Haiti into becoming the third largest world market for US rice. Good for US farmers, bad for Haiti.

In 2002, the US stopped hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to Haiti which were to be used for, among other public projects like education, roads. These are the same roads which relief teams are having so much trouble navigating now!

In 2004, the US again destroyed democracy in Haiti when they supported the coup against Haiti's elected President Aristide.

Haiti is even used for sexual recreation just like the old time plantations. Check the news carefully and you will find numerous stories of abuse of minors by missionaries, soldiers and charity workers. Plus there are the frequent sexual vacations taken to Haiti by people from the US and elsewhere. What is owed for that? What value would you put on it if it was your sisters and brothers?

US based corporations have for years been teaming up with Haitian elite to run sweatshops teeming with tens of thousands of Haitians who earn less than $2 a day.

The Haitian people have resisted the economic and military power of the US and others ever since their independence. Like all of us, Haitians made their own mistakes as well. But US power has forced Haitians to pay great prices - deaths, debt and abuse.

It is time for the people of the US to join with Haitians and reverse the course of US-Haitian relations.

This brief history shows why the US owes Haiti Billions - with a big B. This is not charity. This is justice. This is reparations. The current crisis is an opportunity for people in the US to own up to our country's history of dominating Haiti and to make a truly just response.

(For more on the history of exploitation of Haiti by the US see: Paul Farmer, The Uses of Haiti; Peter Hallward, Damming the Flood; and Randall Robinson, An Unbroken Agony)

Bill is Legal Director at the Center for Constitutional Rights and a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans. He is a Katrina survivor and has been active in human rights in Haiti for years with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. Quigley77@gmail.com