What are we to do with Haiti?

My suggestion? Why not make Haiti a commonwealth partner of the United States along the lines of, say, Puerto Rico.
I think there are three advantages to such a confederation-

• it's obvious that the infrastructure has to be rebuilt. Who can do that better than American contractors employing local labor? This results in profit for American companies, perhaps increased tax revenue from them, and a boost for economic recovery here and there as well since salaries to local workers will be translated into a demand for goods and services. Manufacturing on the island will then follow, again, adding more people to the working class.
  
• it will stabilize the government and streets of Haiti. It's no secret that Haitian politicos have for generations lined their pockets at the great expense of the populace. An American presence will stabilize "law and order" and allow for development of local constabulary. With America becoming the nanny, the need for private organizations and the United Nations to hold hands with Haitians will soon disappear. The only handholding will be as partners in educational and scientific ventures.
  
• the prospect of free passage between the United States and Haiti will result in the construction of American-style resorts to attract dollars from tourists. Again, a boost for the Haitian economy and folks through salary and taxes.
  

If the experiment works, after a number of years, its citizens will become American citizens. Far fetched? Not really, but does anyone have the guts to say it?

And, if it doesn't happen, you can expect to see 10s of thousands of Haitians allowed to emigrate to the United States out of humanitarian compassion resulting in the creation of another lower income strata putting more strain on American social services.

I think the choice is easy. Make them partners, not mendicants. It's worked in the Philippines and it's working in Puerto Rico. Haiti should be next.

Well, that's what I have to say.
Stephen M. Flatow