Hi all,
This morning I woke up and the word paradoxes came into my mind. Or seeming paradoxes.
The reason for this is Hurricane Katrina.
It would seem that the good ole' USA can get aid and helicopters to help victims within two days when the Asian tsunami struck, but weeks after Katrina struck New Orleans is still in a mess.
And another paradox is that of the wealthiest country in the world asking everyone else, including some of the worlds poorest countries for aid. Donations have come in from many third world countries including BANGLADESH yes, you saw it right, BANGLADESH!
Now, there has been speculation that the reason aid and relief have come so late, and been so badly organised in New Orleans is because most of the population there is black. I don't happen to think this is the case. I did at first but upon examination I have another explanation, although colour is linked to it. I think the reason aid was not forthcoming at speed is not because the people are black but because they are poor and even this is not the direct link. The direct link is that poor people in the USA are unlikely to vote Republican, (the political party President Bush represents). So therefore there are very few Republican votes to be got out of this New Orleans situation.
Whereas, in helping after the tsunami there were R votes on two counts:-
(1) Americans could feel proud of America in its response and this fed patriotism - a very strong sentiment in the USA.
(2) President Bush could play the worlds statesman and make America, (and the Republicans), look good. Again a play to patriotism.
Now President Bush, under the American political system, cannot stand again because he has already had two terms in office, but he would still want to help bolster his party, and try to make sure that the next President in also a Republican.
This I think is at the heart of this apparent paradox.
And I said there was a link with the question of the people of New Orleans being black. Well that link is that if you are are black in the good ole' USA, where anyone can become President, you are ten times more likely to live in poverty than if you are any other colour.
So much for the American Dream!
Blessed be!
KK
