‘Nation building’ for Haiti not a good idea

Even before the earthquake, Haiti was a failed state; a real basket case. Overpopulated by millions, an environmental disaster, rampant AIDS cases, corrupt and way beyond bankrupt. Vice President Joe Biden states that we will rebuild Port-au-Prince better by far than before the quake. Will we also correct the conditions that fostered the wholesale corruption that has plagued Haiti for decades, courtesy of Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier? We? Or do I detect a new “nation building” project lurking in the shadows? Robust disaster aid, yes; try our hand at “nation building” again, no. Even if we manage to kind of rebuild Port-au-Prince, what do we propose to do about the massive overpopulation and all that goes with it? For once we should “get real.”

Our “nation building” results in Iraq and Afghanistan will crumble and fade away within two years of our departure. What makes us think we can do better in Haiti?

Gary Sargent

Cedar Rapids