Are the terrible economic problems in Haiti a sign of what happens when population exceeds natural resources?

Question

"Comparative social and economic indicators show Haiti falling behind other low-income developing countries (particularly in the hemisphere) since the 1980s. Haiti now ranks 146th of 177 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index (2006). About 80% of the population were estimated to be living in poverty in 2003.[6] Haiti is the only country in the Americas on the United Nations list of Least Developed Countries. Economic growth was negative in 2001 and 2002, and flat in 2003."

"In 1925, Haiti was a lush tropical paradise, with 60% of its original forest covering the lands and mountainous regions. Since then, the population has cut down all but 2% of its forest cover, and in the process has destroyed fertile farmland soils, while contributing to desertification.[1] Erosion has been severe in the mountainous areas.}. Most Haitian logging is done to produce charcoal, the country's chief source of fuel."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti

Answer 1

I recently read an article in which many in Haiti reportedly were reduced to eating cakes made of dirt and shortening to avoid starvation.  This is atrocious, and my son and I began researching avenues of assistance for the Haitians.

What we discovered is that the corruption of the Haitian government is a real detriment to the receipt of aid for these people.  It is disgusting that a government would allow its people to starve and die like this.  We're still researching, though, and my son is trying to get kids at school involved.  We pray for them every day.

Answer 2

No.  The problems in Haiti are, however, a graphic example of wha thappens when special interests cling to outmoded methods simply to protect their own interests. Jsut as people like Bush and the oil companies are doing today.

Haiti could be a paradise--instead its a sewer.  But not because of overpopulation.  Because leaders chose to pocket the wealth the island produced instead of investing it in economic development.

These same special interests are the only ones whining about "overpopuation."  Its just one more excuse--one more way of trying to blame their victims.