I guess I could correct that to Haiti-er, but I feel I should mention something. I’ve been hearing a lot of hoopla about the ridiculous amounts of money that credit card companies make from charitable donations. By now I know most of them have promised to waive those fees on donations to Haiti charities and and relief, but there’s a bigger issue here. I mean, I don’t want to totally side step the tragedy in Haiti, but there are a few things to consider.

First, this is neither the first or last tragedy of its kind. The credit card companies made a mint on Katrina and the tsunami and countless other tragedies. They make a mint from any charitable donations made using a card – year round. You give to your alma mater? You’re also padding the bonus of a credit card company CEO.

But that’s not the worst of it. These guys take a healthy chunk from retailers as well. Now, you may not care if Walmart has to pay a percentage of its net to allow for the convenience of accepting credit cards and not having to deal with cash. But do you know they pay lower fees than little mom and pop shops? Yup, it is a fact. Merchant fees care completely negotiable, and the better rates the big boys get, the crappier rates available to the little guys.

It’s a tough time. Lots of people need jobs, health care, debt relief, basic necessities. So if you’re going to get all pissed about credit card companies making money off a tragedy, remember that their standard business practices are often unfair to small, local businesses. Every day.