Comments on: Text of the Final Version of the Kerry-Lugar Bill: Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009

By: Chuck Kottke

Chuck Kottke — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:05:30 +0000

From the heart,
When I see the images of the flooding, the desperation of those in need, I see someone just like myself or my neighbor who needs help. We are seeing some serious flooding here in my state right now, and it hits home. I want to help, and my country has the means to help.
And I ponder why things are the way they are – because of history, the way trade deals have favored the countries in the north, and the need for there to be a better start for people in Pakistan. With better engineering, most of the flooding can be controlled into wetlands designed to take the excess waters. Better built dikes and levees make these disasters less likely and less harmful to people living in the riverfront areas, and moving communities to higher ground – even if it is built up with earth movers – is a very sensible way forward. And it has been a problem here as well – as everyone knows with the floods along the Mississippi River, New Orleans and the gulf coast.
The frustrations from lack of good jobs and lack of access to education creates conditions where extremists find easy recruits, and wind up harming innocent people – a tragic set of circumstances that doesn’t have to happen. That is a human thing, regardless of country – you can find the same forces at work in America as in Pakistan, and the answer is greater economic stimulus, education, and sound equitable governance – all the checks and balances in place. If we put our resources into improving opportunity, the prosperity that follows pays dividends in ways no accounting can see – in the happiness in people’s lives, in the ability of all people to have meaningful lives and work without the constant fear of loosing one’s life and livelihood to floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. It is what any feeling & thinking person wants, and all I want if for those who are helped to live better lives, and they in kind can help others in need – roll it forward, share the love and compassion when the need arises. I have been helped when I was in need, and I have helped a friend in need recently – it is our shared humanity that binds us together in this world.

By: Chuck Kottke

Chuck Kottke — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:39:45 +0000

Correction – I meant to say I was in agreement with Aisha.

By: Chuck Kottke

Chuck Kottke — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:32:21 +0000

I haven’t read the full bill yet, but I do hope it is well written, and if it’s intent is pure, I sincerely hope that it makes a big difference in the lives of the citizens of Pakistan, and in the future prosperity and freedom of the Pakistani people.
Musaafir, I see what you are saying, and that is my hope as well – when given opportunity, we thrive; it is the right thing to do – to provide a path to success.
The way I see it, by providing opportunity to Pakistan’s people, it is not charity, but just a way of opening up the door, and taking away the obstacles to success for the good people of Pakistan. The U.S. had the good fortune of having help from France during our revolution, the support of enlightened people from all over, and the people of France had the generosity to create and deliver to our shores our most cherished symbol of freedom – the Statue of Liberty. It is in our interest to extend the hope and progress we have been so fortunate to have had bestowed upon ourselves to the people of Pakistan, as a way of promoting the gifts we have been given. It is not ours alone, but it is the right of all mankind to secure the blessings of liberty, and to promote the general welfare.
With improved prosperity comes better trade relations and greater shared prosperity for both of our peoples. It is in our interest for so many reasons, and is it not right to share with others the formula for prosperity we have been so fortunate to have? With prosperity comes contentment, stability, and the opportunity to grow together in the global community in which we are all a part of.