Things are always more complicated than they seem

I've read a recent blog post about feeling frustration over the push to send aid to Myanmar/Burma and China while people are suffering in America. Technically I agree with the feeling. However, please do not gripe about the rising cost of living here while people in underdeveloped/unevenly developed areas have ongoing or sudden complete lack of food and shelter. Other countries now expect the U.S. to step in when disasters strike, if this country doesn't...what will happen? Do you really think withholding assistance would have no repercussions? Do you remember what outside sources sent help to the Gulf area after Katrina? I don't (but of course I'll be checking on that later.)

My opinion: We are an extremely affluent nation and wouldn't know what to do if struck by another lengthy depression. Especially with the lingering feeling that country-wide mobilization for war is passe.

More later.