I was talking with some people the other day and one of them say something I have heard before. "The American people are the greediest in the World." I don't know how Someone who lives in this Country could say something like that.

After Japan surrendered, we as a victorious nation had every right to spoil the land. It was the custom of any other army or nation to do so. Don't forget they attacked us with out provocation remember. We had every right just to walk away and tell them good luck. America has never been that way, instead of walking away or enslaving the Japanese people as they have done to others. The American people poured 2 Billion of 1945 dollars into Japan, saving the Japanese from starvation.

Prewar Japan was an oppressive place, strongly nationalistic and militaristic. The press was censored, and ruthless secret police snuffed out dissent. A few business groups controlled most jobs. Women were subservient to their husbands and their sons as well. In 1946, using the U.S. Constitution as a blueprint, MacArthur and his aides wrote a new constitution for Japan. It outlawed war, abolished the secret police, liberalized education, and gave women the right to vote. Japan's voters approved the constitution in 1947 and still uses it today. When ever women go to the polls to vote they owe it to the United States.

During the Marshall Plan, (1948-1952)We poured 12 Billion in money and credit into 18 European Nations, that would be around 102 Billion in today's funds. We owed them nothing, but stood by their side when they were in need. This in not to include the money poured into these countries due to American bases and GI's. Had it not been for the American people Europe would not have survived.

In 2005 Americans gave 34 Billion and the U.S. Government gave 15 Billion over seas alone, for a total of 49 Billion. In 2006 American gave a total of 295 Billion, Increasing in 2007 it is estimated U.S. Citizens gave over 309 Billion total here and abroad.

When ever there is a disaster somewhere in the world Americans are there. When a tragedy happens before the winds stop blowing or the waters recede We have relief planes in the air, with a call that help is on the way, where do you want it.

Even now when we as a nation are going through one of the toughest economical time in our history we are still as a people giving Billions in aid to other nations. We will get over this trouble, we will do it alone, and we will still out give any other nation on Earth.

And that's what I think!

Phil Haikey