How much should we spend on foreign aid

[Big Don]

How much should we spend on aid to foreign countries?
In my opinion, we should focus on fixing our own house first.
Second, we should NEVER give to any country except our allies, whether or not they can reciprocate.

 

[Bruno@MT]

Ditto. I'd add something, but I would not know what.

 

[Tez3]

How much should we spend on aid to foreign countries?
In my opinion, we should focus on fixing our own house first.
Second, we should NEVER give to any country except our allies, whether or not they can reciprocate.

But you never GIVE to any country, there's always an ulterior motive behind any aid given. It depends on whether you think you are getting value for your money doesn't it?

 

[Big Don]

The President’s FY 2010 International Affairs Budget for the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other foreign affairs agencies provides the resources to renew America’s global leadership through diplomacy and foreign assistance that enhances our security, advances our interests, and reflects our values. This budget totals approximately $53.9 billion, including food aid

1. Israel $2.4 billion
2. Egypt $1.7 billion
3. Pakistan $798 million
4. Jordan$688 million
5. Kenya $586 million
6. South Africa $574 million
7. Mexico $551 million
8. Colombia $541 million
9. Nigeria $491 million
10. Sudan $479 million
That is the top ten.
What are we giving money to Sudan for? So they can let their own people be murdered?

 

[jarrod]

But you never GIVE to any country, there's always an ulterior motive behind any aid given. It depends on whether you think you are getting value for your money doesn't it?

well to be fair, that's true of any charity, even if all you get is a warm fuzzy feeling. i'm okay with us spending some on foreign aid, primarily for disaster relief. it's good for our country's image & the bottom line is that help gets to people who need it. i'm not really interested in our prolonged involvement in other nation's business though.

jf

 

[Big Don]

well to be fair, that's true of any charity, even if all you get is a warm fuzzy feeling. i'm okay with us spending some on foreign aid, primarily for disaster relief.

Same here, but, that is just being a good neighbor

it's good for our country's image & the bottom line is that help gets to people who need it. i'm not really interested in our prolonged involvement in other nation's business though.

jf

Nor am I, but, if we are going to give money away, lets not do it all willy-nilly, lets attach some strings.

 

[Carol]

http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/who-gets-us-foreign-aid.html
That is the top ten.
What are we giving money to Sudan for? So they can let their own people be murdered?

The have oil and they aren't an OPEC nation?

Just a guess...

 

[celtic_crippler]

So...like...if we didn't give that money away...we might could have...like.. avoided going further in debt...by...like... not passing TARP?

...aw who cares...it ain't the government's money anyway...it's ours! It's real easy to spend other people's money.

 

[Ken Morgan]

The President’s FY 2010 International Affairs Budget for the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other foreign affairs agencies provides the resources to renew America’s global leadership through diplomacy and foreign assistance that enhances our security, advances our interests, and reflects our values. This budget totals approximately $53.9 billion, including food aid

1. Israel $2.4 billion
2. Egypt $1.7 billion
3. Pakistan $798 million
4. Jordan$688 million
5. Kenya $586 million
6. South Africa $574 million
7. Mexico $551 million
8. Colombia $541 million
9. Nigeria $491 million
10. Sudan $479 million
That is the top ten.
What are we giving money to Sudan for? So they can let their own people be murdered?

It’s not like there is a cheque for $X billion going out.

Much of it, especially the Israeli $$, is based on military equipment. Who do you think tests new American weapons in combat?

Most of those top countries are Local American allies/supporters, vital in keeping stability in their respective regions. The $$ to Columbia and Mexico is suppose to help stop the drug trade at its source.

FA works best when you get it on the ground, once you start giving it to governments….It kinds starts to disappear…

 

[Marginal]

What are we giving money to Sudan for? So they can let their own people be murdered?

Judging by your own link, mainly stuff like AIDs relief, and fighting drug trafficking.

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/101415.pdf

Winning the good will of people in other countries is a worthwhile pursuit regardless. It goes to the same end as maintaining a strong military does.

 

[Empty Hands]

All this arguing and bitching and possible real world negative consequences over 53 billion dollars? If you really want to trim the budget, you need to first look at the military budget, then at transfer payments. That's where the real fat is. Even if you eliminated all foreign aid, it would amount to only a 5% reduction in the yearly deficit.

 

[Andy Moynihan]

how much should we spend on aid to foreign countries?
In my opinion, we should focus on fixing our own house first.
Second, we should never give to any country except our allies, whether or not they can reciprocate.

nothing.

 

[JDenver]

.7% of GDP.

Apparently, if all the richest nations spent .7% of GDP on foreign aid, you could eliminate tens of millions of preventable deaths due to poverty, starvation, illness like malaria, and so forth.

Why do that? Well, first there's the simple issue of saving millions of people. Secondly, terrorism is an international issue. Provide food, shelter and stability in impoverished neighbourhoods and you start to address the issue.

 

[Marginal]

Why do that? Well, first there's the simple issue of saving millions of people. Secondly, terrorism is an international issue. Provide food, shelter and stability in impoverished neighbourhoods and you start to address the issue.

Bah. Then you'd just have healthy terrorists who'd use their state funded yoga lessons to bend and twist around security barriers so they could blow up even more high value targets with their strong, strong, lithe legs!

 

[Joab]

As much as is needed, as much as we can afford.

 

[searcher]

$0000000000000.00

Take what you can. Give nothing back.


I always knew that quote would come in handy some day. And now it has. I guess I am just a bit irritated at having those we help turn on us. Time for a change in strategy.

 

[Tez3]

$0000000000000.00

Take what you can. Give nothing back.


I always knew that quote would come in handy some day. And now it has. I guess I am just a bit irritated at having those we help turn on us. Time for a change in strategy.

Maybe what was been asked for in return was too high a cost for American 'aid'?

 

[5-0 Kenpo]

For the U.S., we should spend as much money as would benefit the security of the country.

But sometimes that means paying for general / emergency relief. Sometimes it costs money to make friends.