It's what the world expects. When disaster strikes, especially one of the proportion of the tsunami which hit Southern Asia, the American government and its citizens aren't expected merely to contribute to the relief effort.
They are expected to lead it.
With $350 million pledged in government aid and nearly as much in private donations so far, the U.S. contribution to saving lives and restoring some semblance of order to the devastated countries was given another boost this week by President Bush. He appointed his father, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton to lead the fund-raising of even more private donations.
We have no doubt they will succeed on an unprecedented level. From corporations giving tens of millions of dollars, to movie stars making their own donations, to the collection of spare change by kids on street corners, it's what Americans do in times of crisis.
The United States is a prosperous country, and it is a caring country. Part of the culture is a tradition of charity. From Carson City during the holidays to the entire country in response to a global disaster, the thought is never "Should we give?" but always "How much can we give?"
In addition to money, the U.S. has sent planes, ships, doctors, engineers and other experts to help the distraught. That's part of being a leader too.
We point all this out not so much out of pride or because we think Americans need a pat on the back. We do so because over the past few years, there has been a great deal of speculation on why so many people in the world seem to hate the United States.
In a crisis like the tsunami, such speculation seems so pointless.
No country in the world can do what the U.S. can do to help people, a fact that carries with it the responsibility to lead by example.
The world expects no less.