Early in the SE Asia tsunami disaster, UN General Under Secretary Jan Egeland criticised the US Government for being "stingy" in relief support. Statements were even made that US citizens were undertaxed, implying higher taxes were needed to provide more relief funds. Since then he has backtracked somewhat as the relief effort as developed.

What Mr. Egeland and others fail to understand, and what news organizations have failed to report, is the difference of perspective Mr. Egeland and others have when considering US aid.

Finland, Mr. Egeland's home country, Sweden, Iceland, France, England and many other European nations have a form of government that is either socialist or has socialist leanings. Taxes are high, caretaker government is expected and because of high taxes, personal disposal income is much more limited.

In the US we have a tradition of a more limited government involvement, preferring and championing individualism and personal responsibility. We provide the individual with the freedoms and tools needed meet their own needs and more. With that comes the opportunity to become wealthy, should the individual have to desire and motivation to do so. With that wealth comes an individual generosity seen in no other nation.

In addition to the US government's current, and fluid, pledge of $350 million, the Boston Globe reported a few days ago the top 10 US private aid agencies had already received $97 million and it continues to grow. There are 100's of other agencies, charities and church organizations providing relief services and collecting funds in addition to those mentioned.

More over, the US has deployed a Navy battle group to the area to provide support and fresh water, 90,000 gallons a day per ship, at a cost of $2.9 million per day and a Marine Expeditionary Force is being mobilized to provide logistical support at an estimated cost of $1 million per day.

Additionally, no other nation on the earth has the logistical resources of the US and those are now being employed and more will be sent. Aircraft, helicopters, ground support and transportation, it all comes with a cost that will be borne by the US and her generous citizens.

So, the early criticisms of US aid were premature and unwarranted. Will the criticism of the US end? Certainly not. There are some in the world who, for various reasons, despise the wealth of the US. For them there can never be enough given by the US, nor enough taken from the US in a effort to diminish or even destroy her capitalist economy. Of course they fail to understand that without the US, the engine of the world economy, the ability of other nations would be greatly curtailed if existent at all.

Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq