[Pagan]

Never mind the decades of sending wheat and other foods, medicines, and other non-monetary aid to the Ukraine (and Russia among a ton of other countries). Obviously, if you are participating in a US-based program, you do worship our dollars.

Americans has come to mean those who are born here and reside here. Yes, I have European roots, and I am the first generation born here on my mother's side. I do understand the differences perhaps more than most Americans because I have actually been "home" and grew up with both cultures. My ex is from Poland, and grew up in a small village. His family still doesn't have a phone, or a car, or a computer. Phones have a 25 year waiting list in his area. His schools were okay, but only taught Polish. What English he now knows came from books and TV once he defected. We have spent many hours comparing the two cultures. His family never went hungry because they had a small farm. Times were and are lean, yes, and he still sends dollars home to help them.

AlexUA, you are far wealthier than the average citizen in the Ukraine and even here in the US, and I seriously doubt you have ever had to worry about having a slice of bread for breakfast. Your English is excellent, which tells me you were probably raised in the city and went to above average schools. You own a computer and know how to use it fluently. The average Joe (or Ivan) doesn't have such luxuries as he must toil in the fields or factories to earn that average $2 a day it takes to feed his family and pay for his housing. With your language and computer skills, you must certainly have a pretty decent job. If not, the emerging economy in the Ukraine is missing a dedicated and talented worker.