I think our aid to the countries hit by the tsunami should have some strings attached.

I have said from the get go that I think it should be raised through voluntary sources, and I still do. But One of my pet peeves with foreign aid is the irresponsibility of the recipient.

In disasters such as this, those of higher income are less likely to be devastated, if for no other reason than that they are MORE likely to be ensured. And thus, aid should begin with ensuring that those who have the most need have their creature comforts met and are not likely to perish due to starvation or exposure because of a disaster that left them homeless or without food.

And yet, in India, at least, reports have come back of lower caste members being turned away from shelters by higher caste members who will not share lodging. Defense after defense has been given of India's caste system being "cultural" and how we have no right to change it (funny...we seemed to have a moral right to change the "culture" of slavery in the American South...but I digress). That's fine. But in America, we do, on paper, at least, believe in equality. If you choose not to believe, and to run your country accordingly, fine. But when OUR money is sent, and OUR labor, it can and SHOULD be distributed equitably, according to OUR values.

If you don't agree, you must not need the money TOO badly.