by David Mccallister

Created on: January 14, 2008

"Out of sight, out of Mind". Sadly I feel many Americans fail to act on serious issues until they are knocking at their own door. Perhaps someone they know, or even worse, a member of the family will contract this terrible disease from something as simple as a blood transfusion? They were not gay, and they did not contract it from a prostitute. Then it seems these people who have had their heads in the sand become passionate activists. That is all great but what about now? Why does it usually have to get personal before people act?

If the United States has the resources to act, I believe the United States has a moral duty to act wherever, and whenever it can. The United States must raise the bar and set an example for the rest of the "global community" to act wherever is necessary. You notice that I quoted the words, "global community". That is what we are now. That is how every country must think of themselves. It is no longer us and them.

I have never been to the Caribbean. I have only seen pictures and heard of the beautiful beaches, so I don't have any personal experience to draw from, but if what is quoted in the previous article, about the U.S. is partially to blame for bringing that virus to those islands, then shame on U.S.. Shame on all of us for not writing letters to our representatives in Congress.

This disease is not going to go away with education alone. I believe that the United States Congress should be pushing the FDA and the pharmaceuticals to stop being so concerned about the bottom line. If everyone dies, what good will their drugs be if no one is around to pay for them. Absolutely useless. The FDA and the pharmaceuticals have been in bed for too long and it is time to act by finding a way to provide some of this HIV-AIDS medicine to the countries that need it the most. We are acting in many other countries with the help of many wonderful foundations such as Bill and Melinda Gates, and others. If we are not providing the same support to the Caribbean, the questions must be asked. If not, why not? And when?

In summary, absolutely yes! The American people should be very concerned with the HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. If the American people can think for a moment that they can remain isolated from this island, they are sadly mistaken. Remember, we are a global community, and we the American People have to start acting this way, and stop waiting for someone else to step up to the plate.

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