A government shows fiscal responsibility

A government shows fiscal responsibility

I saw an interesting headline today from the UPI but when I went to read the article it was missing. The headline reads “$10B announced for quake reconstruction” and then the intro copy reads “China will cut government spending by 5 percent this year so it can set aside $10.14 billion for reconstruction in the nation’s…”. I really wanted to read the rest of that one. I wonder why they pulled it. A little further on, I found an article on Monsters and Critics filling in the details. The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the government would allocate a total of 25 billion yuan (3.6 billion dollars) and freeze approval of new official buildings.

Imagine that, a government showing fiscal responsibility. This came as a shock as it is almost unheard of in this day and age. An actual leader to the world and doing so by example, and it happens to be the Chinese. I applaud the humanitarian effort strongly but I applaud the fiscal responsibility even more. Here in the US of A we seem to have lost all control of government spending and propriety. Congress continues to pander for votes for which the citizens are more than willing to accept. I think we are in need of a major change here and it is not the kind of change the politicians have been talking about.

I am glad to see the government lending a hand though I would be just as glad if they didn’t, but with a disaster of this magnitude any help from any source is needed. I have not seen a great deal of mention about a large outpouring of aid heading for China this time though I know it is occurring. I did find an article where some pharmaceutical companies have stepped in to send supplies, and I am positive that many others have put forth an effort to extend a hand to those in need. Some do it for the publicity and aren’t getting it and some do it for true charity and they don’t need the recognition. To those that are lending a hand to a brother in need, I salute you.

It is interesting to me that people with such a caring and giving nature can be so selective in whom they will aid sometimes. Do you think that some crises receive more attention than others? I think the media helps drive this by creating causes and drawing attention to what they would have us see rather than providing an open view of all the world and letting us decide what we will focus our attention on. I also think that it is hard for us to trust that our aid will go where it is intended. There are far too many stories in the news this day that speak of abuses of our good nature. It is hard not to be skeptical, but if you take the time to look you will find many wonderful organizations that are founded on more than just good intentions.

What has happened in Myanmar is a disgrace. The government there has finally agreed to let “all aid workers” of any nationality to enter the country to try to help where they can. If ever there was a country that needed to be invaded for a good cause it is Myanmar. The UN of course will take credit for its small part in making the aid possible from its secretary general’s visit but it should be ashamed of the fact that it took nearly three weeks for them to take even this simple action. Because of other political issues raised in the international community about Myanmar abuses, much need aid has been withheld, and fault appears to belong to both sides of this coin. Instead of worrying about nonsensical political power plays, action should be taken now to ensure that real help is provided for those in need. If a temporary invasion is required then so be it. A military presence good be used to ensure the safe application and personnel safety of a relief effort. Just go directly to the areas that were hit hardest and start there by providing for immediate needs, cleanup work, and begin rebuild efforts, and then just as quickly leave, thereby allowing the people to return to their lives as best they can. Leave the problems of yesterday and tomorrow for another time. There is more than enough to do today.

The amount of devastation caused by the quakes in China and the cyclone in Myanmar and the myriad other events around the world is immense and the impact to lives is nearly impossible to comprehend. My heart goes out to all the people affected. There are people around the world who are impacted directly and indirectly by what has happened. As mobility increases and the flow of information expands we find that we truly are part of the same family and share a common home. The flow of information makes it easier to know about these natural disasters and to want to reach out and help.

Sometimes knowledge of the needs of the world is easier to obtain than those of our next door neighbor. If you look around close to home you may discover that there are many needs close at hand for which you are well suited to making a difference. And not all needs are solved by money. Sometimes just giving of yourself, your time, your effort, your ear, or even a shoulder will be a blessing to someone in need.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.