| The NCNow Survey
The NCNow Survey is an unscientific poll of visitors to NorthCountryNow.com who choose to participate.
This week's issue:
St. Lawrence County Chamber Executor Director Pat McKeown, writing in the chamber newsletter, recently endorsed a sales tax increase to offset the countys budget. According to McKeown, raising the sales tax half a percent would generate $6.5 million; just shy of the projected deficit.
This week's question:
With the countys projected budget shortfall, which option do you feel would best bridge the gap?
Take the NCNow Survey. Results will be posted Monday, Feb. 15
Results of last week's question:
Have you contributed to Haitian relief efforts?
62.8% -- No
34.5% -- Yes
2.7% -- I plan to
Total responses: 481
Total comments: 187
Here are your comments:
1. Not to be rude, but we have alot of folks in our own country going through things, ex, California and the recent mudslides. We need to start thinking about ourselves! When we as a country is healthy again, we can help others better! Mon, Feb 8, 2010 10:07 AM
2. 90% of what is donated goes to administration cost and the other 10% gets stolen. With increases in taxes on cigs, beer, soda, insurance, water, land , sewer, who can afford to donate. Keep your money people. Mon, Feb 8, 2010 6:34 AM
3. Thanks to our greedy government there's never any extra money. Mon, Feb 8, 2010 5:55 AM
4. Please repost the info about the people collecting the things for Haiti. I have the things for the complete bag but lost the info from your article. Sun, Feb 7, 2010 10:37 PM
5. We've put to much money in that hell hole... Sun, Feb 7, 2010 10:16 PM
6. Charity begins at HOME, we need to take care of our own house first and when there is a surplus than by all means share it. Sun, Feb 7, 2010 1:30 PM
7. It is very sad what happened to the people in Haiti, it makes you realize how lucky you are to have your family and to be able to be fortunate enough to help those in need. Sun, Feb 7, 2010 12:32 PM
8. Why should we donate to them. What have they done for us . Sun, Feb 7, 2010 12:29 PM
9. yes i have but i have also contributed to the local food pantry and i have also clean out my freezer and gave it to the ppl down the road along with some wood from my shed who are going cold and hungry right here in america what about the americans going without i think that was a sad thing what happend to them but we need to help the people right here in america to hello Sun, Feb 7, 2010 10:21 AM
10. I will donate to local needs, before I support other countries. It is not heartless it is self preservation. Before anyone donates to Haiti, they should make a donation to help all the Americans that are unemployed. Sun, Feb 7, 2010 8:59 AM
11. keep the money in the united states lets take care of our own pepole, if tiger woods can donate 3 mill he could of started a buisness put americans to work along with country singers doing te same start a company give the american pepole a chance to make ends meet and by the way i would rather buy a american citizen a 100 gals of heating oil or shingle their roof than to watch or play golf or pay to hear them sing america is on a steady pace of doing wrong more than rite Sat, Feb 6, 2010 9:46 PM
12. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, one of the only relief organizations where 100% of donations go to the disaster, with NOTHING skimmed off the top for administration. Sat, Feb 6, 2010 5:51 PM
13. I contributed thru my church Sat, Feb 6, 2010 4:02 PM
14. It's not in my budget at this time to donate. And if I could afford to, I would donate to hungry Kids in my own country, county. Charity begins at Home. They"re are kids in our own country that live in poverty.Or go to bed hungry. Lets help our own. Sat, Feb 6, 2010 3:35 PM
15. Would they help us if we had one? Sat, Feb 6, 2010 10:25 AM
16. donated $25 that was matched by employer Sat, Feb 6, 2010 7:23 AM
17. i believe in helping out when you can but,when you have homeless and starving children and people in your own country and the government is spending billions in another country. my god they raised 60 million in a telethon for the hatian relif effort what about our own.nobody is raising money to help them. Sat, Feb 6, 2010 12:56 AM
18. I am very sorry for their pain and loss. I live on a fixed income and get no help from anyone. When are we gonna finally figure out who needs help right here in this county. Lets start with welfare-maybe we could work on that and finally get people to get some pride and work for what they need. Just a thought from an elderly woman who is fed up. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 11:12 PM
19. No, And I never will, our Government leaders are the first to beg money from us,to help other countrys, when they already have our tax dollors to help, like $100 Mil. Harry Smith had it right on the morning news when he told Bill Clinton to tell the people to STOP sending money in, the money is already there through tax dollors, Bill's reply was to Harry, well NO we need every we can get. It is not said, if theRICH, Well known leaders give any money or just beg fom the poor people. Franklin couny spent 20,000 to 30,000 dealing with a Ice jam on the Salmon River, and can not get Federal or State help. Something is wrong here, People, DONT be so fast with your money, Look around you and see what is going on in the north county, We are going down and the Fed. and State
dos'nt care. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 10:45 PM
20. Isn't the 100 million dollars our government spent on them enough? Take care of the people in this country first! I will not give a penny to help them! Fri, Feb 5, 2010 7:45 PM
21. as a tax payer Fri, Feb 5, 2010 4:21 PM
22. Every dime the US gives results in a kick in the teeth. Sorry, folks, enough is enough. Time to take care of America for a change. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 12:44 PM
23. Via American Red Cross Fri, Feb 5, 2010 12:41 PM
24. how about the usa relief effort? Fri, Feb 5, 2010 10:19 AM
25. If the situation was reversed, would they help us? Why is the government sending money and aide to Haiti? I don't think they pay taxes in the US. Will this money get repaid back to us? Why do we continue to put other countries above our own? Fri, Feb 5, 2010 10:13 AM
26. no! and i dont plan on it either! we need to help people here before we help them over their! Fri, Feb 5, 2010 7:58 AM
27. It;s a tragedy and all but there are people in this country that need our help too Fri, Feb 5, 2010 7:54 AM
28. pennies on the dollar get where it should go. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 7:44 AM
29. i'am retired, what money i have just take care me. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 6:58 AM
30. I don't recall haiti sending any aid to the u.s. when katrina hit and devastated new orleans, displaced thousands of people, We need to care for our own people first, more now at this time of recession than ever before. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 6:53 AM
31. If anything people need to cotribute within the U.S Fri, Feb 5, 2010 6:11 AM
32. I've seen this poll on Facebook and expect to see the same inflective, thoughtlful comments from our Northern residents (not like this attitude doesn't pop up elsewhere)..."we need to take care of our own first"..."it's their own fault for living there"...and many other nuggets of wisdom. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 5:53 AM
33. I am barely making it by myself,It is everyman for himself. Fri, Feb 5, 2010 1:37 AM
34. It is sad what happened in Haiti, but I think we also need to take care of our own here in the US. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 6:30 PM
35. Even though I have very little, they have nothing. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 6:19 PM
36. we have too many people in our own country to help. if im going to donate money or food or clothing its going to help people in our own country first before i send something over seas to another. besides thier a 3rd world country that yes could rebuild but whos to say in another 6-7 years or so another major earthquake hits and thier back at square one. look in your own back yard before you go to help people in thiers. thats my opinion Thu, Feb 4, 2010 5:02 PM
37. i can't believe how everyone from actors to musicians to athletes all jump on board to help all these other people in time of need but what about our people who are starving and freezing and not knowing where there future is heading we as a country need to wake up and take care of our own first Thu, Feb 4, 2010 4:13 PM
38. We have veterans living on the streets, we have people just above the poverty level that do not qualify for health insurance, we have people trying to go back to school and better themselves and their families.......Our government cannot help their own, but they can help everyone else with the world, what gives? Thu, Feb 4, 2010 3:54 PM
39. We have enough people in our own country that could use the help. If only we counted. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 3:50 PM
40. My heart goes out to those in Haiti but I believe we sent way too much money. We have our own homeless and our own people without health insurance. Let's take care of our own before we go crazy sending money to other countries... especially the way our economy is now.. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 2:56 PM
41. 90% of your donation goes to administrative costs and the rest takes forever to reach the people that need it. From what I've read there is plenty of food and supplies but they are not being handed out to the people that need them but the reporters and politicians that have visited certainly did not go without. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 1:27 PM
42. those poor people can use all the help and prayers we can give them Thu, Feb 4, 2010 1:17 PM
43. Can't afford to keep myself afloat. Where is all the money we need in the States. This is bull. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 12:33 PM
44. there's enough worthy causes right here in our country that need our attention and financial support. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 12:25 PM
45. i am taking care of my own neighbors and friends Thu, Feb 4, 2010 12:17 PM
46. My husband and I contribute to a few charities here at home, and we did contribute to the Haitian relief efforts. I can't see how anyone could possibly look at the children and not want to help. They are just babies and are very terrified. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 10:13 AM
47. can't afford to feed my own family most of the time Thu, Feb 4, 2010 10:05 AM
48. I made a small contribution to the American Red Cross. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 9:15 AM
49. I refuse to aid and comfort people that will more than likely use my aid for things it was not intended for. Thu, Feb 4, 2010 2:37 AM
50. lets contribute to our own... Wed, Feb 3, 2010 11:17 PM
51. We contributed to Doctors Without Borders and Catholic Charities. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 9:43 PM
52. I feel we all have, I like to give local where I know it is going to help others. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 8:57 PM
53. What little money I have left over from paying my bills will be donated locally. The government there has already squandered enough of our tax money. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:49 PM
54. We need help here with homeless and people who cant afford to eat. Lets keep our money here. No other country helps us out! Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:04 PM
55. I contributed and I hiope the money actually goes to the Haitian people. I think many of the "charities" keep a large percentage of the money donated! Wed, Feb 3, 2010 6:56 PM
56. I donate to local food charities and honestly don't believe we need to send to other countries until our own are cared for. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 6:12 PM
57. our church sponsored a collection through the catholic relief society. having experienced a much less strong earthquake in massena many years ago, i can still feel the movement and the fear that followed with aftershocks, i cannot begin to fathom the depth of haiti's earthquake. those poor people are really in big trouble with lack of shelter, food and water and no quick fix for any of it. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 6:02 PM
58. I would rather donate my money to the homeless, the elderly who cant afford meds, etc... and keep it in the USA. Haiti needs money they can ask their own people or other countries. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 3:49 PM
59. America can't even help ourselves Wed, Feb 3, 2010 3:19 PM
60. Yes I gave despite how bad things are in our own economy. There is always room to give to people who suffer a devastating and life-changing event like this one. Haiti was poor enough without this happening. Now . . . Wed, Feb 3, 2010 3:03 PM
61. Never, Never, Never. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 2:13 PM
62. I feel bad for the people and agree we should assist in the rescue portion only for the sake of the injured. That is where we should draw the line. We still have people in New Orleans that need help. Did anyone send us money afeter the quakes in California or after Katrina? We need to start worrying about America and taking care of ourselfs. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 2:06 PM
63. I believe that there are things we can do each and every day to help not only the Haitian relief effort, but all over the world and our local community. I feel that these relief efforts basically just bring out the best in people who ordinarily over look simple things in their busy lives. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 1:56 PM
64. Americans can come up with millions for Haiti but scream about taxes for education right here at home, what's that all about? Who sent the US any help after our disasters. Did anyone up here get a check from any foriegn country after the ice storm? Millions for the rest of the world while most of them would just as soon see us perish. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 12:55 PM
65. keep our money here. it is greatly needed! Wed, Feb 3, 2010 12:09 PM
66. we need to help our own people first. we have homeless and people with no food in our own country . take care of our own first Wed, Feb 3, 2010 11:33 AM
67. i do plan to,we try to help our own in this country, so much go's out of the country, why can't we take care first? there are people in this country whom, really could use a hand out no need to state the reason's, we all know what they are Wed, Feb 3, 2010 10:13 AM
68. I feel sorry for the unfortunate people fo Haiti. I have very little disposable income but if I could, I would rather donate my money to people in need here in our own country. Why does our government jump to send money and relief overseas? We have alot of citizens of our great nation who are either homeless or have to decide wether to eat or pay the heat or the rent.. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 9:26 AM
69. We can't take care of the people right her in our own country, our own state, our own county, our own community, yet people expect us to send money to a foriegn country to help them. I do feel sorry for their situation but it is time we take care of the people around us before we start taking care of the people who live thousands of miles away, Wed, Feb 3, 2010 9:26 AM
70. There are too many problems here that need our attention Wed, Feb 3, 2010 8:32 AM
71. I would contribute to a relief fund for Americans Wed, Feb 3, 2010 8:03 AM
72. Where were all these contributions when Katrina hit? Did the world jump in to help? Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:58 AM
73. Hey! north country now! have you contributed to the haitian relief efforts? We have. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:16 AM
74. Actually, I am sick and tired of hearing about it to be quite honest. People in America are homeless and starving; not to mention the vast amount of people who can't afford medicine. It is ridiculous...hello, why don't we do something about our own messed up country. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:14 AM
75. I contribute to the local Salvation Army and my church. What they do with the money is up to them. Wed, Feb 3, 2010 7:05 AM
76. screw them Wed, Feb 3, 2010 6:11 AM
77. obama sent 100 million of OUR money Wed, Feb 3, 2010 4:48 AM
78. As much as I would like to... I live from paycheck to paycheck and can't afford the bills I do have. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 11:45 PM
79. Through our Church's special collection Tue, Feb 2, 2010 9:35 PM
80. I'm ok with us sending over the initial relief funds/supplies/support but we need to look inside our own borders. We have homeless people right here in the north country. We also have people who are still homeless from Katrina. It's time we stop running to the aid others and take care of our own for a while. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:36 PM
81. We need to take care of the people in our own backyards before we start worrying to much about people in other countries Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:34 PM
82. Charity begins at home! Our government is already giving more than anyone else in the world has or will give. There will be many with their hands out for years to come and then there will be others who will demand the ugly americans get the hell out of their country. A generation from now they will forget that anyone from this country gave them anything and will be demanding more of it. They need to show their determination by standing up and starting to rebuild their country as opposed to waiting for someone else to do it for them. Something worked for and earned is treasured much more than something just handed to you. Beyond the humanatarian aid we should look to see that they are willing participants in their own future. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 7:55 PM
83. no way ..I'm trying to feed my family..Help our own first.sure it's a sad thing that happened.. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 7:37 PM
84. The North Country has been a disaster for years and we don't get any help! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:52 PM
85. no. what thay ever do for us, why should are tax dollars go to help them , im haveing a hard time my self no ones helping me , pay my bills .spen that kind of money over thay , that can help people get back to work here , an open new jobs, i help no one but my family. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:50 PM
86. I contribute to all kind of relief needed here in the US! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:49 PM
87. Did want to hear from us when their Country was run by useless dictators and unruly gangs? No America stay out, we are friends w Venezuela! Well where is Venezuela now, (they offered minimal aide)? How about we take all of the money donated to this 3rd world cesspool and reinvest it into our own economy! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:35 PM
88. why should i when we have people here who can eat or have a home to go to Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:29 PM
89. I cannot help but feel offended that we have hungry and homeless citizens in this country that not even our own government will assist. My tax dollar has all ready been committed:Not only to Haiti, but to the Big Bank CEOs who have only proven that they has achieved their level of incompetence. Illegal immagrants who now recieve better medical coverage than our working poor. And, insuring that criminals in prison have cable TV, workout equipment, and good nutrition. I feel terrible about what has happened to the good people of Haiti, but we are not the only country capable of helping. We need to provide better medical coverage to our veterans, health coverage for the working poor, and housing for all citizens. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:38 PM
90. We are in a major deficit in our own country. People here are losing jobs, health care, their home, etc. Sure I feel terrible for what happened there, but we all have our own families to take care of. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:35 PM
91. If something as devistating as this hit the U.S., how many countries would assist us? How can we afford to help these other countries that are already poverty stricken, the same yellow brick road that we are heading down. I don't have the finances and don't you think I am already contributing?Where do you think the money is coming from? Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:32 PM
92. We sent money to the orphanage that our grandson was adopted from: God's Littlest Angels. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:32 PM
93. hmmmm we are starving right now! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:21 PM
94. NO I contribute enough out of our paychecks thank you! we need to help our own lets have a jamboree to help everyone that lost there jobs and there homes.. or family's that were torn apart by love ones that died from this war. lets put some of these towns back together that were torn apart from flooding and tornado's. lets take care of our own.lets help families that have had diseases that robbed the family of there life savings. the list could go on.....I'm sorry that's the way I feel Tue, Feb 2, 2010 5:20 PM
95. Though I feel bad for the Haitian people, I have to be realistic and take care of me and mine, right here in America. With costs going up and my income staying the same, I am barely making ends meet as it is. I am glad those who can afford it are helping. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 4:52 PM
96. Why would I contribute to Haitian relief? First of all: if I send money I have no idea where it is going or which politicians pockets are being lined with it. Secondly: We have people in this country who need relief and are not getting it. Thirdly: I have enough trouble keeping up with my own bills. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 4:33 PM
97. Can't afford to...they are in my prayers. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 4:10 PM
98. Many people in the United States need help. Only in America can 20 TV stations be running a Haitian relief effort all at once while we have our own homeless, sick, and just plair poor.... Tue, Feb 2, 2010 3:38 PM
99. Contributed to Wyclef Jean's organization Yele Haiti. We can not forget how much help the Haitian people need. The need will go on for years, and considering their history, I believe they deserve our help. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 3:29 PM
100. don't we have enough to wory about in our own country......it was a tragedy what happened but we need to take care of our own first....... Tue, Feb 2, 2010 2:13 PM
101. I direct my donations to those in need locally. No need to shop around for those in need of assistance. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 2:01 PM
102. worry about our own people. who cares about the haitians! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 1:44 PM
103. No, and no plans to. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 1:26 PM
104. Unless you count the taxpayer money that is being used. Save the money, clothes, medicine, and food for our own citizens that need it first. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 12:36 PM
105. Im sorry if this seems cruel but we have enough problems right here at home we should be worrying about. We need to stop running to the aid of everyone else and take care of our own first for a while, let someone else help out for once. As a geologist I know how devastating earthquakes can be so Im not saying their problems aren't real but I just think we should concentrate on helping our own people first. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 12:35 PM
106. I contributed to Doctors without Borders, an exceptionally rated charity with low overhead. I plan to give again, too. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 12:12 PM
107. why can't we have a "relief effort" for the homeless people out in our own streets? we raise millions and millions for another country but can't raise a dime for our own. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 12:12 PM
108. There are people is our own country that are starving and need the help. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 11:54 AM
109. Don't get me wrong, I am all in for helping people, but when we have people homeless in our own communities, and the government won't do anything about it, but they will run to everybody elses aid, I thinks it wrong. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 11:39 AM
110. Absolutely NOT. Although I feel very sorry for their plight, I do not think contributing to a corrupt government will help those poor people. I give what little I can afford to help our veterans here at home and support local food pantries in addition to helping out my own family members when in need. Bringing Haitians to the U.S. is an added expense to we taxpayers merely to preserve the image of our country. Enough is enough. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 11:22 AM
111. How can anyone not help with a little donation to these poor people. Please try sending a dollar or two at least --- thanks. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 11:01 AM
112. I pay my taxes and along with anybody else who pay taxes can assume we contributed a lot Tue, Feb 2, 2010 10:52 AM
113. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the best charity in the world. 100% donated goes to victims. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 10:51 AM
114. My tax dollars are at work in Haiti. I have no deep-hidden guilt that needs to resolved whereby I need to contribute to convince myself I am a good person. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 10:46 AM
115. I am really sorry for the devistation that has occurred over there, but I would much rather donate my time and money to those in our own country that are homeless, etc. We as a country should start taking care of our own people first...it's not like other countries are waiting in line to give us money when we are in need. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 10:45 AM
116. Yes I will, but HELP is one thing,rebuilding the country is quite another. We still have a huge mess in New Orleans -right here on American soil that has not yet been cleaned up-(Thank you George you idiot--) I think it is disturbing the way the media is pushing this as hard as it is. Let's face it Haiti was the armpit of the caribian before this happened, why you ask? the corrupt government--oh, what a shock! and do we see a strong possibility of it changing? No not any time soon. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 10:19 AM
117. Why do you ask for our comments on these questions? I wrote a comment on the last question about Gov. Paterson and his budget cuts. Only half of my comment was printed. I guess the truth hurts. What a waste of time this is. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 9:56 AM
118. Has anyone contributed to the relief of hundreds of employees that are going to lose their jobs because TOPS isn't going to keep the P&C stores in the North Country open. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 9:54 AM
119. I have sent 20 blankets from the St. Lawrence County chapter of Project Linus for the children. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 9:49 AM
120. Maybe we should think about this problems in our own country! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:50 AM
121. Please help those in need, wherever they may be. Locally, nationally, or globally, the capacity for helping others is one thing that seperates us from animals. The extent of suffering in Haiti is mind-boggling. I'll be helping in the small way that I can. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:43 AM
122. I think we better worry about our own country before we start helping elsewhere. Congress must forget that while they are eating food we buy them and soaking up heat we provide them with that there are homeless, or cold and hungry in our own country. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:29 AM
123. our country has no jobs, our country is suffering . if anything i would like of our country and our people first. the economy sucks. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:23 AM
124. All the world thinks of the US as their pocketbook. If you gave to everyone you would go broke. Charity begins at home. I give to Americans first. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:22 AM
125. Although the Haiti earthquake is a terrible tragedy, there are more local issues that could use contributions. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:19 AM
126. We have our own problems in the U.S. not only with the multi trillion dollar deficit but the recession and unemployment rate....so no I have no plans to in the near future..maybe if we didn't contribute to all these other countries we wouldn't be so bad off. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 8:15 AM
127. no excuse , just have not . I always get the feeling the money is going to some fat cat scum bag. To bad but unfortunatly it works that way allot. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 7:59 AM
128. There are people in the United States that need to be taken care of first. That is our biggest problem we're to worried about whats going on everywhere else and our own country is headed for disaster. Who's going to help us? Tue, Feb 2, 2010 7:57 AM
129. Yes; Having once been on the receiving end of help from the outside in a natural disaster, it is the least we can do to pass along that generosity. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 7:53 AM
130. I prefer to donate locally Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:51 AM
131. No....................... Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:49 AM
132. I pay my taxes so I guess I have contributed. Tue, Feb 2, 2010 6:21 AM
134. Why would I donate to their fund when we have people in our own backyard that cant afford medicine,kids go without food,elderly can barely survive. And besides what have they ever done for us. Save the USA first! Tue, Feb 2, 2010 4:27 AM
135. Since they already have had over 1 billion US dollars donated since the quake I plan on keeping the little money I have to try and make it though the winter without freezing or starving. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 10:52 PM
136. Absolutely not! I feel bad but we have people right here that need our assistance. It is time for everyone to stand up and say enough. Let's keep the money in the states and get our own people back on their feet. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 10:38 PM
137. The magnitude of suffering in Haiti is staggering. Please help if you can. I know times are tough here as well, but if you can't understand why it is important to help others in need, well then I hope nothing bad ever happens you you, so that you never know what the word "need" truly means. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 9:55 PM
138. they should take care of people here before other countries Mon, Feb 1, 2010 9:50 PM
139. would they be doing the same thing if it was the other way around? Mon, Feb 1, 2010 9:30 PM
140. All the money in the world and you'll still have Haiti... Mon, Feb 1, 2010 9:28 PM
141. $600 Mon, Feb 1, 2010 9:04 PM
142. No we have plenty of people here that need our help, why don't we help others out. We have a big enough debt as it is but the all mighty USA has to send money down there to help out when we do not have the money to begin with. And everyone wonders why this place is turning to crap. Don't help anyone that cant help themselve to begin with! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 7:48 PM
143. Too many people here in my area without jobs, food, warm homes, etc,, So no, They come first! Why does the USA have to clean up everyone elses mess? If we are not carefull, we will become a third country nation also! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 7:39 PM
144. hate to be hard hearted but why didnt anyone think to ask or oversee where the last 5.8 Billion went to over the the last 15 years ? Millions of low income people here could also use a hand. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 7:31 PM
145. you have to be careful there are so many crooks out there! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 7:11 PM
146. We have people that are starving right here in our own Country. Charity begins at home. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 6:44 PM
147. When our own government hasn't even fixed the problems in Lousiana why should we give to foreign countrys , Fix our own problems first, and not throw money at everything, another democratic way at looking at things Mon, Feb 1, 2010 6:40 PM
148. I pay taxes to the government, they contributed for me to this unbelievably sad money pit. 95% unemployment, highest rate of AIDS in the western hemisphere, corruption that makes the Afghanistan government look like boy scouts. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:49 PM
149. Yes, part of $100 million dollars Obama gave Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:48 PM
150. How about some relief for NYS. Send me some BUCKS> Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:39 PM
151. My taxes! People starving in the North Country and we are sending our tax money to a different country I feel for these poor people but the sad truth is we need to help ourselves before we can help others! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:39 PM
152. I am contributing to the American relief effort. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:32 PM
153. Let's take care of our own... Mon, Feb 1, 2010 4:49 PM
154. $25, What I figured I could afford. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 4:24 PM
155. People who compare the need of people in the North Country to people in Haiti are ignorant white supremacists. Hundreds of thousands (easily triple the number of people in NNY alone) have lost their lives, their loved ones, and their homes due to a natural disaster. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 4:22 PM
156. NO! If I did have any spare money I would either use it to help the homeless and hungry in the USA or to the animal shelter, before I would send it outside our own country. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 4:00 PM
157. we need to take care of our own first. we can't keep on trying to save the world. this is not the first quake they have had there , but they keep right living there and populating. we allready have 160,00 illegals here from there. must be he wants to sign them all up with acorn and let them vote in 2012 Mon, Feb 1, 2010 3:37 PM
158. They haven't contributed to me! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:38 PM
159. I need to contribute to my own relief effort living in NYS. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:26 PM
160. We have pressing needs in the US Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:20 PM
161. I think that if the country paid more attention to the problems they had themselves then sending everything to another country, the country wouldn't be in such poverty state that it is. We have people in our own back yards that don't have food on their tables or a place to sleep at night. Think about that before you send money to people you don't know. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:11 PM
162. Why should we rush to everyone else's aid when they don't offer any relieft for the United States in times of tradgedy. We have our own homeless children and people who are living in the cold because there is no work to be had. Do other countries offer help to them? Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:02 PM
163. through my church and work Mon, Feb 1, 2010 2:01 PM
164. And our local food pantry Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:58 PM
165. Human tragedy anywhere in the world is worthwhile to me. It's amazing that the self-righteous crowd at Fox News & Right Wing AM radio have snubbed their nose to human suffering! Tells you a little something about how little they care about people! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:56 PM
166. We need relief help here in our own country. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:55 PM
167. Though I feel for the Haitian people, I am not in a situation to contribute. My employer did not give me a raise last year and does not plan on it this year either. I have a child who just started college in the fall so any extra money I have goes to support that. After paying bills, I do not have alot of extra money. This is probably the case for most people. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:45 PM
168. there govt is corrupt, the kids wont get it anyways Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:36 PM
169. Whatever organization you donate to, check the perentage they actually give....Catholic Relief gives 94% and they are already on the ground there in Haiti.... Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:32 PM
170. How about we worry about helping our own county. Where is the government getting all this money to hand out to other countries? Why don't they take that money and spend it here in the US. We wonder why we are in such a deep recession. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:22 PM
171. Lets help here at home before dumping billions into a third world country with little to no hope anyways. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:15 PM
172. I will contribute 10 times the amount that they have contributed to us during any of our times of suffering, fortunately 10 times 0 is 0. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:09 PM
173. help in youre own backyard first Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:59 PM
174. It's too bad that they didn't take as good of care of our own people after Katrina ! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:53 PM
175. I have not donated anything to the Haitian relief. I feel very bad for these people and what they are going through. But, I believe we need to take care of people in our own country first. There are alot of people right in the US that need help like the people from hurricane Katrina that still are without homes and other basic needs. It seems to me our government gives more to other countries and responds quicker than when something happens rights here. You have to be able to help yourself before you can help others. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:53 PM
176. Not to be selfish but i realy think we need to do more for our own needy. And if our politicians thought the same they wouldn't keep flying to Haiti for a photo opp. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:36 PM
177. No and I won't either. I will continue to donate what I can locally. Too much goes across our borders as it is. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:28 PM
178. Although sad what happened there, We need to take care of our own country and its people. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:26 PM
179. It's the right thing to do.I know many people are gonna say that we've got problems of our own, But to be honest, I don't think my generation of Americans really knows what "Bad" times are, compared to what conditions are in countries like Haiti and elsewhere...even before the quake. This isn't about who's what religion, or the color of their skin, It's about the Right thing to do. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:18 PM
180. no and i won't! too many people in our country need help and my money stays in my country! where it should stay! Mon, Feb 1, 2010 12:06 PM
181. With all the scam artists out there, how does one really know their contributions actually went to help those in need. Considering our government is typically the first or amoung the first nations to respond and always the one paying for the bulk of the operations, we should look at them to take the lead. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:37 AM
182. There but for the grace of God Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:36 AM
183. Even though I'm stuggling here myself, I can't imagine what the Haitian folks are going through. It make me feel good to help someone else in need. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:30 AM
184. Lets take care of our people suffering here in the US first. God knows you don't have to look far for our own that are in desperate need of help. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:07 AM
185. I can hardly support my own family. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:05 AM
186. Many people are complaining about helping Haitians when we need help in our own country but I think that these types of disasters need additional help. We have never dealt with this in the North Country. This isn't an everyday thing and people don't have basic food and shelter there. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:04 AM
187. no, and am not planning to. we have a trillion dollar deficit, a high unemployment rate and major companies either closing or sending their work out of country so I can't see how we can afford to send millions in monatary aid. let some of the rest of the world shoulder the majority of the aid. Mon, Feb 1, 2010 11:04 AM
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