How To Help Haiti

You are not human if you have not been gut wrenched by the massive earthquake in Haiti. The scenes of death and devastation are depressing. This disaster underscores the exploitation, poor leadership and corruption that has plagued Haiti over the past one hundred years. Haiti's kleptocratic regimes during the past 60 years in particular has kept the country in a perpetual state of poverty and squandered over $4 billion dollars in US and foreign aid since 1992. The failure of Haiti's leaders to implement free market economic and democratic principles has been highlighted by this tragedy. The poorly developed infrastructure, and anemic government services are the results of decades of leaders that have put their own financial interest ahead of the Haitian people. Most recently, the ineffective Jean Bertrand Aristead was driven from power by way of a rebellion in 2004 after his corruption was uncovered. Hundreds of billions of dollars will be needed just to make Haiti a semi -functioning society. The poorest country in the western Hemisphere, it is estimated that 80% of Haiti's population lives in poverty.

The focus will have to be how to help Haiti help itself. No individual or nation can grow from dependency. This is what has plagued Africa since its Independence from colonial rule. The international community has treated Africa as a global charity. Over $800bn dollars in foreign aid has gone into to pockets of corrupt African leaders while the economic growth on the Continent has been stymied. Free market capitalism, rule of law, democratic principles create wealth and opportunity, not foreign aid. I would like to see some of my tax dollars go towards the implementation of a responsible democratic, pro-capitalist and yes pro American regime. Unless America's takes a lead role in helping Haiti develop into a economically self sustaining democracy, or else it will remain the poorest country in the western world for decades to come.