Help Haitians, but in Haiti

Viewing the news on TV shows C-130 transports bringing in and unloading Haitians at an Air Force base in Florida. To date over 8,000 have already arrived. A column by Amy Goodman on Jan. 29 advocates bringing into the U.S. the many thousands who need medical care as well as approximately 70,000 more who U. S. family members have submitted petitions for them to move to this country.

Approximately 80 percent of the population in Haiti lives below the poverty level and a large percent of the population is illiterate. Do we want these people in the U.S.? I don’t think so.

There should be one overriding rule: Immigration should be based on the U. S. national interest only and not on some do-good, hazy, moral imperative.

These poor, uneducated masses will be a total drain on our society on a continuing basis with the cost of housing, food stamps, medical care and other social programs that this country cannot afford. Also, with poverty goes increased crime. This is most definitely not in our best interests.

Extend a helping hand, as we continue to do, but leave the Haitians in Haiti.

John Walsh

Coeur d’Alene