Dear President Bush

The following is a letter I just sent to Pres. Bush through ActforChange.com:

I have just read that the United States has pledged $35 million for tsunami relief. This is a start, but this country can do much better.

As one of the world's wealthiest and most prosperous nations, the United States should step up to its leadership role by increasing its aid pledge significantly. Other countries are already sending tens of millions of dollars as well as disaster relief and technical support; the United States should not do less.

This is a unique opportunity for the United States to prove to these devastated countries that we are indeed a compassionate and generous nation. It can be viewed in a practical as well as an altruistic light. The roots of terrorism lie in just the kind of human disaster, with its attendant chaos, hunger, disease, economic instability, and more, that is happening right now in Southeast Asia. Being unstinting with our money and our expertise could do more to win hearts and minds and reduce the appeal of terrorism than all the bombs and guns in the world. America is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on war; surely spending billions on helping people instead of killing them would be well worth the money spent.

Please immediately increase the United States' aid pledge for tsunami relief. Lives depend upon it.

It's easy to send a letter through Act for Change. They provide a template that you can send as is, or personalize as you wish.