"Making these developing counties better places" implies monocultural aims. If Third World culture is of low quality there is a reason for it; aiming to make such people "prosperous" is a more environmentally suicidal proposition than even the status quo.

People are going to have to get their own houses in order, and it will be at the expense of both the meddling of parasitic global industry and the moral imperatives and deep-seated guilt the West seems to find so addicting.

I feel that this is a broad stroke assessment without merit. While it is true that the living conditions in 3rd world countries may be considered intollerable by 1st world countries. The majority of the people in those countries are fine upstanding inviduals just like anywhere else. This is a stereotype less about the citzens at large and more about the corrupted few.
It is a proven fact that crime and corruption are more prevalent in poverty stricken areas and that includes in the US. It doesn't matter your race, color or creed. On your local news here in the US when you hear of another drug bust or shooting you will immediately assume that it took place in a poor neighborhood or from the trailer park. Is that to say the majority of individuals that live in trailers or poor neighborhood are of low quality? If you are a good boy and do as the nice man on the television says, you will. If you don't and think or experience it for yourself then you may get a different picture.
I feel that culture and circumstance are two different things. If we consider the Latinos that you discuss, for example. I think of a culture with an amazing commitment to family and friends, religion, and a work ethic that most Americans would think insane. Does their culture have flaws, sure, as does ours. It is not for us to judge their culture as their values are different than ours. Nor do I ask that they judge ours. I simply ask that they respect ours and I will respect theirs without one imposing on the other.
For example, we need not be the "policemen to the world" nor the "reformers to the world" or even "educators to the world". It should not be our responsibility to spread our own jaded view of "democracy" to other cultures. In Iraq we have spent billions to essentially "reform" Iraq into what we think Iraq should be.Democratic, Capitalistic, Equal Opportunity nation.In essence a Utopian society we have yet to perfect ourselves.Look at the resistance and confusion with the Iraqi people who have lived specific traditions and in a specific culture that is intertwined heavily with their beleif system. A system that few Americans understand or care to take the time to understand. How are we to "bring a culture over from the "Dark Side" when we don't understand what the "Dark side" is(Much less them understand us)? We are going to ask them nicely(with an M-16 and Jedi mind tricks) to abandon their way of life for ours? Is it our place to do this? Even if it does eventually happen, what then. You won't have the ideal Muslim society, nor the perfect American one. You simply have some mediocre "shi-ite stew"(pardon the poetic license).
No! Our culture, values, and traditions, are no better or worse than any other. If you believe it to be true that is your ego talking.
I am certainly not opposed to charity. Our country has been fortunate up until now economically(if you can call it that) by comparison to some. However, we must first address our own issues. Once those are addressed then, give freely. But freely is what I mean. Not a tax deduction. Not with "fine print" Not this "buy an allie" program we have now. Charity should not come with a "I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine" proposal.
Every culture should be allowed to thrive or fall of it's own devices. No culture should have a "God Complex" and try to save the others or banish them to Hell. We should cultivate our own culture to the best of our ability. We can all learn from each other but it is the responsibility of the local culture and the individual to determine if what has been learned has merit. Slowly over time, one culture influences another. It is inevitable. But the traditions of the cultures should be respected and remain strong until they are no longer needed, disproved by the local culture (not one 3k miles away) or have been improved over time.
It is not because the Latino population that has immigrated thinks our culture is so great. If so they would all be mingling with us, learning to speak english and learn our traditions. No they mainly come here for financial opportunities (of which much is sent back to families in Mexico). It seems we are actually doing the reverse. We are the ones learning about their culture and learning Spanish.
Buenos Diaz'