[TeriB19]

Well since we're on this topic, I should tell you that while I do agree every country should do what it can to help, I also think that the problems of ones' own country should not be swept to the side for the benefit of aiding other countries. I sent a letter to the editor of our newspaper about this very topic. This is what it said:

I'd like to start by saying I'm not a cold-hearted person. I feel for and pray for all the victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami. I am truly sorry for the losses, the devastation, the hell those people went through and still continue to go through. But I must say that I cannot agree with our country sending $350 million in aid when our senior citizens do not have a proper prescription plan and must scrimp and save to make ends meet. My 66 year old mother cannot afford to retire from her job in the casino industry because Medicare alone does not fully cover the cost of her monthly prescriptions, any doctor visits and testing. She also cannot afford the additional premiums required to ensure that she continues to have 100% medical and hospitalization. I understand that this country wants to set the tone for other countries, but what about the big corporations? What about those countries who refused to help us in the war in Iraq? Now is the time for them to step up to the plate and do their part. I just don't think that the entire struggle for humanitarian aid to that region should fall entirely on the United States when we've got our own problems that continue to remain unaddressed because there's always another country whose needs are greater than our own. My husband is currently in Kuwait serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves and has been away from his family for almost 5 months. When will the attentions of our government be focused on the problems we have here in our own country? When will it be our turn?
Theresa Biebel