tragedy

I am saddened and full of compassion for the tragedy that has struck Haiti. The orphans, the families who are still searching for loved ones, my heart aches for them.

But I am so sick and tired of Americans claiming we have compassion when we don't even extend the same hand we do to Haiti to the homeless and orphaned children in our backyard.

Every time there is a great tragedy, it's all over the news. The hottest news anchor heads to wherever tragedy has struck. You see their heartfelt coverage of people dying and children crying.

But really, don't we have more than 49 million (of 300 million+) Americans living with hunger? And millions have been homeless at one time? I know we've personally had at least 10 men live a few days or weeks in our alley over the last 10 years.

Where's the outrage at home about the millions who don't have ANY health care? Aren't there more than 40 million Americans who are uninsured and can't afford ANY health care?

And don't we have more than half a million kids in foster care in the US?

I'm all for America having a heart. I would love to think we do have a collective one. But I'd like to see that heart make a difference at home as well as abroad.

So while I am elated when I see that FINALLY children from Haiti and the recent tragedy are being sent to the US and their awaiting adoptive families, and I am encouraged to hear of the dollars being raised to help Haiti's people, I am continually saddened by the lack of compassion toward our neighbors.

Why do we repetitively reach out that hand to the dire across the world but turn our back on those who live in our alley?

It takes so much more courage to admit we have problems at home and compassionately deal with them than to send money to those that "REALLY" have problems. America, we have problems. Let's deal with them. Don't we know we can't truly help others until we help ourselves.