Do we refuse to help ourselves?

My first go at this "blog" thing, so here goes. I've been wondering a lot lately, especially in light of the Terri Schiavo case and the not-so-distant Tsunami disaster, why we have some of the problems we have in this country, if everyone is so compassionate? Millions of dollars were raised for various charities in order to help people half-way around the world that most of us don't even know. Millions throughout the country, and even some from other countries, are pouring out their support for the family of Terri Schiavo. So this all but screams the question, "Why do we still have so many needing help in our country, if everyone is so eager to reach out?"
There are innumerable homeless, jobless, destitute and others in various stages of need, but yet we seem incapable, unwilling, or perhaps just unguided in how to help them. There was a tremendous upheaval and common outpouring of patriotism, fellowship and unity after the tragedy of 9/11, but in less than 4 years, we seem to have gone almost full circle back to how we were. We are right back into the, "It's not affecting me, so I don't want to be bothered about it" mentality.
No, I don't think I have the answers, but I do think that while we are so busy worrying about the troubles of those half a country or half a continent away, maybe we could do a little something for that man or woman who is just half a block away.