Why is it that Haiti is practically in the backyard of the US, and Haiti is so poor and instabled?
364541
Haiti's not a part of the U.S. We're not repsonsible for how things are run there or what's going on there. Of course we can provide aid and assistance, which I'm sure we are in some way, but there's only so much that the U.S. can do. We TOO have problems of our own to take care of including poverty and instability.\n\n\nHowever, there are ties to the U.S.\n\nHaiti has always been one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Much of this is due to post-independence schemes of the former colonial power- France. In 1838, the French agreed to recognize Haitian independence under the condition that Haiti pay 150 million francs (worth several billion dollars today) as an indemnity for the loss suffered by French slave owners in the loss of their slaves and plantations. Unable to make payments, Haiti, in an attempt to win international acceptance, was forced to seek loans totaling some seventy million francs. Not until 1862 did the United States finally recognize Haiti as a sovereign nation, and send diplomatic representation. Through the 19th century it was ruled by a series of dictators of varying degrees of incompetence. The outside world took little notice until 1915, when the country's unpayable debt led to American occupation.
424901
people from other nations, especially 3rd world countries find freedoms they don't enjoy at home in the US, such as religious and caste system types of situations, poor stay poor, also alot of opportunity for sucess here
644543
Well at the beginning of history...we hunted and worked the land...you were either self sufficient or you died. Now there are people that have wealth and those that do not. This has nothing to do with how self sufficient you are, but more with your ability to make money. There are class systems in place "virtually" all over the world and in America there is everyday a greater separation of the classes...So poverty is undoubtedly a man made thing. And to Kartingmartin...above, I know loads of people that have been forced into poverty due to our ever weakening economy. Lots of people laid off and forced out of their homes who would disagree with you!!
213040
Well we got debt too, my island is so rich they can afford to give every person living here legally and ilegally $1 mil and still have change,but what do we have instead a massive oil boom and half the nation can't afford to put a roof over their own heads, and the Government borrows $800mil to build a massive stadium for cricket ( just to give you an idea the island has 1.5 million people) and they put it in the middle of a settlement of squatters. Hospitals are short of doctors and medicine and equipment, schools are in terrible condition and the roads....well!!!! Where is the money going? Nobody knows and this is after years of being technically debt free as an island and then experiencing an oil boom. So it's not just the American taxpayers that are getting the shaft I think it's all of us.
512301
There are always detractors out there.  When you are free, powerful, and relatively wealthy (collectively), there are some out there who will feel a certain degree of envy.  America has a myriad of problems, but it is still the greatest country in the world.  \n\nTough to argue with that one.
1152473
Well im creole and haitian and my father is a Haitian man and he says people dont like Haiti's because of the rural people the voodoo and just plain diffrent customs . He said some people not all live in filthy ways and they are very resentful of their women and sell there children in prostitution so i guess that's why. when guys ask me my nationality  because of my mixed carmel skin and thick wavy hair  and i say creole and haitian they always say wow your a  crazy woman that have voodoo all in her blood.. so i guess thats the main reason diffrent religon and diffrent culture(and i just want to make it clear im a spritual beliver in GOD jesus Christ and in no form or fashion practice voodoo)
1102059
There are a lot of people on here who answer just so they can belittle people. I have lived on or along the Gulf coast all my life and hurricane's are a fact of life, if we asked why people built there every time a tornado hit the Midwest people wouldn't like that either. These are our homes and this was where we were raised and just like good Americans everywhere we will fight to keep and protect what's ours. Good luck girl and keep your chin up not everyone on here is a dipstick!
968057
I think life in the USA can suck.  There are many undesirable places and people in the U.S. and if you have to deal with those things on a daily basis, that can suck.  Also, if you don't have any money in the U.S, that sucks too.  Things aren't cheap here in the U.S. either, especially housing, and so if you have problems making ends meet, that can suck too...  Although it is the U.S., but if you are poor, your standard and quality of living would be low.  There are also many problems in the U.S. now, such as many people doing drugs, prostitution, random shootings and so forth.  Those things sucks.  I think life in the U.S. can suck if you have to deal with all those undesirable things, situations and places and you don't have much money yourself.  That's just what I think.  You can't say that life doesn't suck if you have to live in a ghetto in the U.S.A or lead a ghetto life in the U.S.A. although it is the U.S.A.
199276
Because we are the land of opportunity and freedom. Despite what we may or may not feel or agree on about America...compared to many places, it's a wonderful place to live and to follow your dreams..because you can.
46911
I know the poorest country in the Western hemisphere is Haiti.  In the world...I don't know.
383474
am not sure but i think its haiti
549992
hope this works ! \n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti
1093717
Haiti is heavily involved with the religion of VooDoo, a combination of Christianity and "black magic." They worship the same god, but as with most Caribbean faiths, much folk lore is fed into the faiths.
698291
I was not in Haiti for very long, but was so impressed that I am already saving up to go back...So I do not think that it is an awful place.\n    However I do believe that for Haiti to improve we must have corporations move into Haiti and take advantage of the cheap labour.  Then at least there would be a tax base for the government to use to help Haiti.  Right now there is very little that I think the government can do with no money, and the people need jobs.  We must also start visiting Haiti more often, as right now we have the UN there, eating food and spending money.  When they leave, things will be harder, there will be less employment as who will go and stay at all of these hotels....\n    We must work together and bring back the vacationers.
611551
My brother lives in Houston, too, and has been complaining about alot of the relocated people from New Orleans not trying to improve their situations on their own by accepting job offers or offers to assist in job placement.  He is not someone who is heartless, either, and he was one of the first people along with his fraternity who gathered food, clothing, and diapers in the immediate aftermath of Katrina.  He tells me of stories of people just panhandling and creating undue ruckus around his community.\nBut, let's be fair.  Some of these people have little or no education and have lived in constant poverty for much of their lives, so there is no quick fix solution for something that has persisted unnoticed by the non-impoverished for so long.  Our country is so interested in fixing every other countries problems, but they neglect to fully realize that our country has needed fixing of the major kind for decades.  Our country is more interested in economic growth than the plight of its own struggling, starving, homeless, jobless, and working poor.  I have a Master's degree, was a teacher, No Child Left Behind came along, and guess what, teachers got displaced, students got lumped together, and even more children are being left behind by a system that sees dollars instead of the human condition.
808389
I think you are better to clean up your own backyard first before cleaning up someone elses.\n\nThe United States is a Great Country, the people are great but your government under the Bush Administration has some of you so blinded you don't even know what the truth is anymore.\n\nTruth is you are 2.8 trillion dollars more in debt from the Bush Administration.  The United States has a total debt of 8.4 trillion or $28,000 per citizen an increase of $9,600 over the last six years.\n\nEither some of you are living in a dream world which is called LA LA Land and don't keep up with the current affairs of your own country.  The only ones gaining from the Iraq War is Corporate America and the big Oil Companies.  The rest of you peons they really could give a Fat Rats Ass about.
1146148
Americans, generally, hate the poor and are CHEAP!!\n\nThey rather blame them than to help them. If they can say it is by some character flaw then they can sleep well at night knowing a kid is starving to death!