Posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 12, 2005, at 14:51:46
In reply to Re: Poll - 52% think Katrina relief not handled well, posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 12, 2005, at 5:23:36
I think you pose an intersting question and one which I would like to address.
I believe the difference in reactions in Europe and Canada would be tied to the difference between socialism (big government) and capitalism.
America was founded on individualism, founded on the freedom to pray how you want, speak how you want, and succeed or fail how you want. There is no safety net from cradle to grave. As Americans are viewed as individuals, everyone is responsible for him or herself with little help from Big Government. Like it or not, this is how America works.
I am neither rich nor poor and I do very well. You mentioned that you had to be rich in America to do well. This is untrue. I am middle class, sometimes work 2 jobs. There are many of us out there. Of course I am not denying there are poor in this country. However, the majority of the poor in the US have televisions, microwaves, and even cars.
There is no sense in America that the governemnt MUST take care of all the needs and finances and social ills of everyone in the country. The country was founded on less government intrusion, more personal responsibility.
Americans have donated over $700 million to Katrina relief. As a nation, we tend to band together privately without having to depend on big government.
You mention, rape, killing, etc. That is life in America. You get thousands of scared, hungry, desperate people together and no doubt atrocities will happen. Violence is a fact of life here. We are able to legally carry arms.
Also, the media has been having a field day discussing all of the bad things, playing up the racial divide, etc. The American and international media have been loving every minute of this, yet another reason to hate this country. I notice not much of the good stories have gotten much air time.
So, in answer to your question, I believe in Canada/Europe, big government may have gotten involved from the get go. But who's to say how great of a job they would do? In the US, it was up to the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and ALabama to get thier ducks in a row as far as evacuations and post storm clean up is concerned. I have heard no horror stories from Mississippi or Alabama. It seems their local officials were prepared. The National Guard is only called in when the Governor calls, this is not a Presidential call.
So perhaps it would have been handled better in Europe. But life in America is messy. People are responsible for themselves. I wouldn't have it any other way. This is the main reason why I think Europeans are so shocked by what they see.
Anyway, this is one American's perspective to your question. I'm sure there are many who disagree with me, but thought it would be nice to get a few different perspectives.
Honestly, I don't want to start any confrontations over this. I am not touting capitalism over socialism in any way. But, I think many non-Americans have a hard time understanding us and I'm just trying to clarify. Our governemnt and lifestyle may seem atrocious to you, while parts of socialism and big governemnt I find abhorrent. So there are pluses and minuses to both systems.
poster:Miss Honeychurch
thread:553914
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050728/msgs/554259.html