The Hidden Cost of Compassion

Who among us (besides Pat Robertson), isn't touched by the suffering going on in Haiti?   It's a horrible situation, and when ever there is a natural disaster, there is always a call to volunteer, to pray and to open up our wallets and give generously.

The United States is one of the most giving countries on earth, and I'm proud of that.

But...........

I opened up my wallet and gave after 9/11.   I also opened up my wallet and gave after Katrina.  I even made an online donation to the Red Cross after the Tsunami a few years back.   Each time I was left wondering, "Where did the money go?"  

In each case there was a horrible need, and I gave only to find out later the money was re-routed to something else, lined some despicable humans pockets, mismanaged by an idiotic government, or kept in a bank which never doled it out to the people it was meant for......and that left me with a sick pit in my stomach, and admittedly...a little jaded.

I'm not proud of feeling that way.   I wish I didn't.   But I do.

Times are different now and of course we have to help these people somehow.  But when I heard President Obama was pledging 100 million dollars....during a time when so many people (including yours truly) is out of a job, barely living hand to mouth....makes me upset.    I'm not saying we shouldn't help the Hatians, of course we have to....but with the hidden cost of compassion all to evident (in my eyes) we have to take care of ourselves first...and 100 million given our debt and current economic distress is more than a little wrong.

Read more »