Jimmy Carter: Few houses built for poor Haitians (How about some capitalism there, JC)

WTOP.com ^ | 11.08.11 | TRENTON DANIEL

[Recovering_Democrat]

LEOGANE, Haiti (AP) - Haiti hasn't seen many homes built for the poor following a devastating earthquake almost two years ago, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said Monday.

In a 10-minute interview with The Associated Press, Carter said he noticed little housing reconstruction for struggling Haitians as he drove from the international airport to the residence of the U.S. ambassador in Port-au-Prince to Leogane, a coastal city 18 miles (29 kilometers) west of the capital that was largely flattened in the earthquake because of its proximity to the epicenter.

He added that there may be construction in other parts of Haiti but that he hadn't seen it.

[Recovering_Democrat]

The second worst Oval Office occupant of the last 150 years is making the rounds of some local media here in Florida.

The situation in Haiti is terribly sad, but the solution for their suffering isn't Carter's ramshackle huts. The people need Christianity, capitalism, and a strong Constitution--those 3 factors will bring Haiti out of poverty faster than any handout.

[jersey117]

Where’s the all the money people donated?

[G Larry]

Stolen by the corrupt politicians and drug cartels-—but I repeat myself.

[exit82]

The situation in Haiti is terribly sad, but the solution for their suffering isn't Carter's ramshackle huts. The people need Christianity, capitalism, and a strong Constitution--those 3 factors will bring Haiti out of poverty faster than any handout.

A most profound statement that is repeat-worthy.

Those of us who have watched Haiti over the years know this is the truth. Ask yourself why the Dominican Republic is so successful, and it is on the same island as Haiti.What is the difference?

[Uncle Ike]

” The situation in Haiti is terribly sad, but the solution for their suffering isn’t Carter’s ramshackle huts. “

That’s the catch-22 of post-disaster rebuilding programs - slums are wiped out, and nobody wants to build a ‘new’ slum - so the poor people who inhabited the slums to begin with can’t afford the new housing, and remain displaced....

[Mr. K]

I always thought that the way to save some of these places is ONLY by putting people to work, not by giving the people there money.

If you go in, start a new town- hire people to clear land, build roads, start construction of buildings- buy local building supplies (putting OTHER people back to work) , create small houses to house their families, and local shops to purchase food,etc....

Just handing them money makes the problem worse

[DeaconRed]

"Where’s the all the money people donated?"

Come on you are fully grown aren't you?
I'll give you two guesses. Hell I'll even make it multiple choice. The answer is ALL.
1. Corrupt Haitian politicians
2. Corrupt American politicians
3. Slick Willie got his hands on some guaranteed
4. Mrs Slick got some too.
5. Baby slick (The new NBC reporter)

[DivineMomentsOfTruth]

Over the last decade BILLIONS have been sent to Haiti.. That money obviously didn’t go to the Haitians.

[SharpRightTurn]

It’s time Haitians built their own houses. Decade upon decade of welfare to that country has achieved nothing but more dependance.

The Dominican Republic, on the other side of the island, seems to be able to build houses. Why should that ability stop at the border of the two countries?

[massgopguy]

Two weeks before the Haiti earthquake the worst fire in my city’s history burned a large apartment building down putting hundreds on the streets. When the Fire Investigators questioned all of them they discovered that a Haitian man was awakened by the smoke and left the building to stay with a friend four hours before the first alarm came in. Everyone could have died.hen he was asked why he didn’t call the fire department, pull the alarm or wake his neighbors he answered; “In my country they tell you just to leave the building”. Thanks a lot PAL! That explains a lot. BTW. Instead of raising relief funds for our neighbors down the street all the churches and service groups raised money for Haiti.

[KosmicKitty]

Ask yourself why the Dominican Republic is so successful, and it is on the same island as Haiti.What is the difference?

Jared Diamond address this very issue in a chapter in his book "Collapse"

If you can get around Diamond's tree-hugging, he does make some good points. Both the DR and Haiti were ruled by dictators, but DR's Tujillo at least had the foresight to build dams and set up power stations and running water. He also prevented the total deforestation of DR. Haiti has no public utilities. Every one is on their own for power, water, waste treatment, garbage removal, and so on.

Because the Haitains were originally slaves brought to Haiti by the French, when they won independence in the early 1800's, they didn't form large farms which had a chance at commercial success, they chose to go the way of small family farms which ended up badly.

Someone else on this thread talked about going in and building towns using local supplies, but there aren't any supplies to be had. Haiti has squandered almost all of it's natural resources. The country is almost entirely deforested. There's no natural resources to work with. But those who said they don't need money are correct, there's nothing there to buy. I think this photo says it all.

One of my son's has done several mission trips to Haiti and I've watch the videos he's brought back. These people have absolutely nothing! It is the most depressing sight I've ever seen. Little kids by cardboard shacks playing next to raw sewerage while chickens and pigs rummage through piles of garbage next to the shack. One woman was picking through the trash and walked barefoot through the sewerage. It's hard to even image people living like that.

Oh, and the UN peacekeepers there, they like to stop cars with anyone in it who looks like they have money and demand a bribe.

Honestly, the country is so far gone, I don't know what anyone can do. Anyone who had money leaves, so you have a brain drain as well. When I ever I think things in my life are bad, I think about the videos from Haiti and I realize how blessed I am even on my worst days!!

[PapaBear3625]

Ask yourself why the Dominican Republic is so successful, and it is on the same island as Haiti.What is the difference?

CIA World Factbook:

Haiti:Ethnic groups: black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Dominican Republic: Ethnic groups: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%

[Roccus]

Where’s the all the money people donated?

That question would be better asked of the UN, Slick and Bush Sr.

[exit82]

Yes, I know a lot about Haiti. Your picture says it all.

One side is death and destruction. One side is life and prosperity.

Haiti long ago chose to believe in Satan.The result is plain to see.

We helped raise two girls in Haiti through Compassion international over the years.

[exit82]

Interesting story.

I did not give a dime to Haiti fro the earthquake efforts. Through Compassion International, we helped raise two girls who lived there over the years.

But I knew that Slick and his minions would just waste the money.

When Satan is given pre-eminence in a country, the result is plain to see.

[exit82]

And your point is ....? ;)

[PapaBear3625]

And your point is ....? ;)

Comparing Haiti with countries of similar ethnic makeup (Niger, Liberia, Ghana) shows that Haiti's per-capita GDP is very similar to that of the countries which their ancestors came from.

[exit82]

PB, I got your point. I was kidding, that’s all.

The transatlantic econmic comparison is an interesting parallel.

[IMR 4350]

My former neighbor said some of the members of his church went to Haiti to help.

After a couple of months they returned and said the problem with Haiti is there are too many volunteers in Haiti doing everything for them. They wont do anything for themselves. They have come to expect others to do it for them.

[CodeToad]

See #12. It is the same in this country.