Is it justified for the government to tax it's citizens, and then transfer that money to foreign governments or programs, instead of reducing the debt, or spending it on domestic needs? http://www.usaid.gov/policy/budget/cbj2008/ About $27 Billion from these "highlights", not including the "Near East". So I think it's safe to say around $30 billion. Should that money be spent at home on veterans? On healthcare? On the debt? Actually, with deficit spending, this is probably being borrowed, to be given away. Is that right?
Hell no. Especially not on a continued basis, year after year, many times to countries who are already not poor.
How about the poor and suffering in our own country first before poor and suffering in other countries?
I agree, I live in Jordan, a country that gets aids from USA, I think since signing the peace agreement with Israel, not that I do not appreciate it, but I believe Jordan should not get financial aids from USA, and concentrate more on fighting Governmental corruption and mismanagement.
I would agree with sweetsara, only to the poor and destitute countries as in Africa and Asia, but tighten the rules, do not have the foreign aid end up in the hands of the military dictators or corrupted officials of those countries.
Definitely, one should look after one's population first, selfish but a fact of life as these are the people that voted you in in the first place. But definitely not http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=771934
Not just because these are the people who voted in the politicians. That is not how it works at all. The money was taken from Americans, for America. As long as America has a need for that money, it is unconscionable to give it away to others.
i think we should at least cut all military aid but i am willing to make an exception for israel if it would do it
Americans are good people. Most of them, at least. We've always given aid to others. While it didn't take long for a "general" question to resort to Israel, as usual, America provides aid to many countries, many of which are often hostile towards us. While the current "debate" on aid seems to always go back, singularly to Israel, I'd rather see America provide aid to allies and those who are friendly towards us. It's always interesting that those who champion to be "libertarians" and speak endlessly of the "welfare state" and how people should be responsible for their own welfare and there should never receive a government "hand up," want to redirect that money to do that very thing. It makes those positions seem shallow. But then when is the last time a discussion was a hand about foreign aid when Israel wasn't the focus?
Many people believe that 'giving' the money away to foreign nations is in America's interest. Many people think that we get something for this money. Do I agree with all of it, nope. Much like all government spending, I wish it were done better with more transparency. But to pretend we just give it away and get nothing in return is not accurate. I have no problem with people arguing against giving foreign aid, or even against arguing against foreign aid to Israel. However, to be fair, there are many posters here to do hate Israel and that is their motivation. While there are very legitimate reasons for not wanting to give aid, there are likewise many who don't want to give that aid for other less noble reasons.
I will not disagree with that one bit, I'm glad you do see some however are simply against aid. I am not for giving hand outs, if hand outs are to be given however I'd prefer them to be given to our own, no matter if they are white, black, Chinese, Mexican, Jewish, or whatever background If the argument can be made that it truly is in our best interest, we get something out of it, etc I am more willing to at least partially support the idea of foreign aid. In the most basic principle of it however I am against it.
sometimes a US friendly govt has anti US population and vice versa how are you going to handle it. if it was up to me we would finance a large micro bank and distribute the money directly to the people.
Agreed. A number of members here reflect that statement. I don't believe it will ever get to that point where it would have to be handled, unfortunately. I wish it did. Americans have always been a giving people. Both in aid to others and when it comes to natural disasters. I'm less concerned how the aid is distributed and more concerned who it's distributed too. It would appear most of our outgoing aid to Israel is in the forum of military aid. Given the circumstances of that region and those that surround Israel, I can surely see why. We give a lot of aid to Africa as well. I read somewhere, a while back, that Bush had significantly increased aid to Africa during his term. Still, it never seems to be enough. About two months ago, I was in a Walmart (I know, the favorite target of many who do not particularly care for America) shopping for groceries. As usual, the cashiers were understaffed and I had to wait in line. It seemed to be taking much longer than usual and I noticed that the lady in front of me was taking items out of her cart, after it had been rung up, giving them to the cashier and having them deducted. That about broke my heart. Lots of baby food, food kids would eat, and here she couldn't afford the bill. I swiped my credit card on the machine and payed the balance for her. About 49.00 and some change. The point of that story is not to brag or put myself in the spotlight. I tend to believe most Americans would do the same thing. I'd like to think anyone here, no matter how much hostility can come between us at times, would do something similar if the occasion was to arise. Random acts of kindness are everywhere. Sometimes in places and scenarios we would never expect.
Charity and compassion is how it is supposed to work. We're meant to lean on each other, our churches, our communities and our family. But the government has taken charge of tending the poor, and teaching the young. Healing the sick, and organizing the family. And then those values become lost over time. Unfortunately.