Arguments to reform UN applicable to the US

A chorus is calling for the UN to reform. Their arguments are compelling when contrasted with the US response in re Katrina.

I'm all for solving problems. I'm also for ensuring that leaders, who want to reform the UN, look in the mirror first.

Those who want to beat the UN up would have more credibility of they applied their arguments to their own institutions at FEMA.

Sample statements

Free of corruption, accountable, with integrity and high standards

"To help make these promises real, the United Nations must be strong and efficient, free of corruption, and accountable to the people it serves. The United Nations must stand for integrity, and live by the high standards it sets for others". -- George Bush, 14 Sep 2005 [News]

Prevent recurrence of systemic problems

"We will continue to work with the Secretary General, and we are confident he will support the kind of reforms that are needed to try and make sure that this sort of thing does not happen again." -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was at Spamalot during the Katrina Hurricane.

Change at the top needed

As long as current leader remains in place, reform is "impossible."-- Senator Coleman.

Ineffectual leadership

"If the guy leading the charge is stained with a record of incompetence, of mismanagement, of fraud, it's going to make it very hard for him to do the very heavy lifting required." -- Senator Coleman.

Accountability

"If they don't put in place a system of management reform that provides for greater accountability ... they're not going to be worried about withholding of money, they're going to be worried about Congress simply not appropriating money," Coleman said.