Who's 'stingy'?

In response to international criticism and the widening scope of the disaster, Bush has increased the US's tsunami aid to $350 million (from $15m and then $35m). This is a good move and I'm glad to see that the US government is doing more to help the millions of people killed and injured by the tsunami. MSNBC has an article that lists the relief that various countries are providing.

Could we do more?

When UN official Jan Egeland called Western nations 'stingy' with relief funds, he meant all of us. As he noted, at this time of year we should reflect on how fortunate we really are.

$350 million is the largest commitment I've been able to find so far and is a vast improvement over the much-criticized $35 million.

To provide some perspective, the US government provided $13 billion in aid for Florida following the hurricane disasters there this fall. That's $13,000 million, for a disaster that pales in comparison to the tsunami.

Should we do more?

With tragedy comes opportunity. Even our most right-wing readers will agree that the US's image in the world is not at its highest since the Iraq war. This disaster gives Bush a good chance to start his second term off on the right foot with the world. It gives America a chance to reclaim its mantle as the leader of the Free World, by leading all the nations in disaster relief and rebuilding. It gives us a chance to show that America is not on a crusade against Muslims, by helping the hundreds of thousands of displaced Muslims in Indonesia. America should lead an effort to link earthquake early warning systems into a world-wide network.

If I were president, I would not only provide aid commensurate with the scale of the disaster and wealth of the US, but also use the bully pulpit to encourage Americans to donate to the disaster relief efforts, setting a goal of, say, $500 million.

Bush started out on the wrong foot with a bungled response to this tragedy. But we can still recover, if he's willing to lead.

Update: Kos also writes about this today: $350 million and a PR goldmine lost.