While America is constantly barraged by criticism about what it does not do in tragic occurrences, such as the Asian tsunami and the earthquakes in Pakistan and India, more often than not, our government and our citizenry respond in heroic fashion to aid victims in disasters. Our record in this category long ago grew unparalleled in world history and we should be proud of that.

Yet no matter how much it does, how soon or how long, the United States and its people are inevitably seen as the designated savior of the unfortunate. We should be flattered we are regarded that way, but we just cannot be all things to all people all the time, even though we might try.

Consider the innumerable demands made on all our resources as a nation and a people in recent months. There were tragedies abroad that we addressed commendably, and then along came the devastating storms in the U.S. south and southeast. Consider the communities in the Midwest and Northeast that have been badly flooded.

Many will consider such a comment hardhearted, but the fact is, charity in any such disaster should begin at home. No matter how much criticism we might draw from other nations about what we did or did not do in their times of trouble and turmoil, our first allegiance belongs to our own people and communities. If there is plenty of money to go around, we should make every effort to aid foreign people. But not at the expense of our own citizens, many of whom have for years aided foreign entities.

The term “donor fatigue” has come to the fore in the past few weeks as analysts discuss trying to meet the requirements of the truly needy, here and abroad. People and organizations, along with our government, are besieged by so many outlets for funding and supplies that we have to remind ourselves that even our wealthy country is not a bottomless pit.

Look around our own community at how many needs there are for the less fortunate and how many drives there are to help, the Salvation Army, Warm Hearts, the United Way, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, aid for the homeless and displaced. The list seems endless. Consider how many state agencies are crying for more help. Then look to the American hurricane regions and the flooded locales where there is such a heavy demand for help.

We need never be ashamed about our record of beneficial outreach. But we first should focus on our homeland.