Foreign aid. Watching a recent political debate between parties, I was struck at the opposites of what the debate was on and the advertisements coming at the breaks. While the politicians of this great nation were discussing the rate of homeless now in the country, the number of families living below the poverty line, the number of students who are unable to read, the number of jobs lost, and the number of foreclosures happening there was an advertisement of one of our tax paid politicians promoting aid for a third world country.
I have been unable to get a straight answer from any of the local politicians that represent my district to a simple question. How much money is spent each year in foreign aid. Foreign aid to make sure other people of other countries get the medical treatment they desperately need. Foreign aid to building housing. Foreign aid to give food to those that are hungry. Foreign aid to build schools to educate their children.
Why is the United States trying to take care of other nations when it can not take care of its own people. We allow so many foreigners to come into our country both legally and illegally and we support them. The government helps them realize the 'Great American Dream'. Yet that same dream is out of reach of the average American today. Scholarships are given to those coming here to study, when many of our own children can not read let alone pay for a college education.
I was interviewing an elderly woman in March about her social giving back to the community, she got up to take her medication and was cutting it in half. I asked her if she needed help and her reply was no, but thank you. She went on to explain that she cuts her medication in half so it lasts longer as she can not afford to pay for taking the prescribed amount.
These things are amazingly difficult for me to understand with the knowledge that millions perhaps even trillions of dollars are sent out from our own government to other countries for economic aid. I get angry when I see my tax dollars paying for a politician to travel overseas to see if the foreign aid we have sent is being used to help the people, especially when while there they take the publicity opportunity to do a paid endorsement commercial for a private organization trying to raise money to help this other nation.
If Oprah wants to send her personal money to Africa, that is her prerogative. It should not be the prerogative of our government to spend our tax dollars outside our country for anyone's aid. Especially when they turn around and cut programs for our children, elders, jobs, or any number of programs.
Where is the accountability to our own tax paying citizens?
Rev.
Carla Goddard is the Director of The Center of Divine Light. The
Center is a spiritual based wellness Center. We focus of all three
parts of the human – the mind, the body, and the spirit.
Rev.
Carla Goddard is an experienced and trained Metaphysician. She
received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Sedona. She is
a member of the International Metaphysical Ministry and is ordained
as a Metaphysical Minister.
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Wow, you call yourself a Rev. I am sincerely disappointed. There is no race to see who can take care of whom in this world. If someone is starving then as human beings it is our responsibilty to help our fellow man. We all come from the same place. Someday it could be us (Americans) that is starving and sick and we will need aid and help. I am going to hold you in my heart and wish lots of love to pour upon you as you seem that you are lacking. God Bless You.
Yes! Someday it could be us if we keep giving it away. The pie is just so big. It is time we got our house in order. If we continue to give the "fruits of our talents" away and not replenish the source of those "talents" here, yes someday it will be us. GOD BLESS YOU. I had much more to say to you I think you get my drift.l
well i think we should stop foreign aid because soon we wont have anything and all those countries will have it! I am 13 and when i am in 8th grade im not goin to be able to have a class trip at the end of the year!!! We should stop foreign aid our country is introuble too! its not like we are made of money and stuff that we can just give away!!
» left by Stephanie from Ohio (312 days 8 hours ago.)
To the anonymous person above person that is disappointed in the Rev. for her comments...you say that "Someday it could be us (Americans) that is starving and sick and we will need aid and help"...well guess what, it already happened! Did you forget about hurricane Katrina? What about 9-11? Where was all the aid and help from foreign countries that you speak of when those disasters happened? NOT HERE. So I am going to hold you in my heart and wish you a decent memory and some common sense as it seems you are severly lacking. They don't help us, they don't even LIKE us and yet we send our money over there while our own people have their houses go to foreclosure, they can't afford gasoline to get to work, and are starving. People like you upset me. If you are so concerned about them (instead of us), then why don't you go live there?
I think the Rev. is RIGHT ON! We need to focus on our own peoplefirst.
» left by Sandy B. from Garner, NC (311 days 20 hours ago.)
SandyB I love the way you think Stephanie. I was really put out with anonaymous (MS) Half of American agrees with you and the other half says well if you give something away it has to come from someone else who will be deprived. We in this country have been deprived of good government policies for the past 30 yrs. We cannot seem to get a ground roots mission started to root out all the things we do not like about the way our elected representives go about taking care of OUR business. I worked and saved all my life and ended up on social security as my only means of income because of one catastrophic illness. Took everything and now I cannot make ends meet monthly because my government is so busy rebuilding some other country, feeding some other country or making fat cats out of their governing body. I am so sick of it I can hardly wait to die to get out of the misery I live in daily.
» left by Bob from Washington, DC (311 days 21 hours ago.)
I think we should stop most foreign aid. Give to our friends (like England) and to hell with the rest. If a country or it's citizens badmouth us, they get zero. Israel in it's present location was a mistake. After World War II, the Allies could have split a piece out of Germany and Italy and given the Jews a homeland. Putting Israel in a part of the world surrounded by Arab countries (sworn enemies) was foolish. WE can't afford to be the world's policeman anymore. While we're at it, tell the United Nations to find a new home. The Security Council is a joke. No one, including the U.S. should have a permanent seat there. The only time they get anything done is when none of the Security Council member nations have an interest to be served.
» left by Evelyn from Jacksonville, FL (311 days 20 hours ago.)
Yes we should stop foreign aid and help our own people right here at home in the good old USA. We should put our people first... we have people with no jobs, no food, no health care and yet no one is stepping in to help them...but heck we can hold our hands out to people in other countries.
» left by Anonymous from Michigan, USA (311 days 20 hours ago.)
This is a deeply moral question. Am I my brothers keeper? Yes and no. Yes we should help, but not at the expense of our own. The corny line in a movie returns to me from time to time... Ohanna, it means family, nobody gets left behind. We are a loose knit family, closer to each other than the foriegners we seem to be aiming at cutting off. When it comes to foriegn aid, I believe it is an individuals right to vote on who gets what and how much. Not a number of politicians deciding for us. Who really knows how much of that aid gets to the kids etc...
» left by sera from manorville, ny (311 days 19 hours ago.)
Charity begins at home. After our own people are taken care of and if there is something left to spare then yes, its nice to help others.
Sending money on a regular basis seem so ridiculous. Just makes no sense.
Americans find it difficult to afford a college education and yet foreigners come get admission into our universities with scholarships. Which means they get their education at the expense of the American tax payer, after which they have the qualification to take a rightful American Job. They then have the money to not only pay a lawyer to fight to gain residence/citizen status but save up enough money to buy a home. This is just not right.
You gave them an education...FINE! Now make sure they go back with the education to serve their own country. Not take an American job and grow prosperous while Americans are suffering.
This is sheer stupidity......Wake up before it is too late.
» left by clint from Ft. Myers, Fl. (205 days 17 hours ago.)
I agree with you 1000% My grandmother told me many years ago that we should clean our own house before cleaning the home of someone else. If Americans did this we would have lower unemployment, better health care, and less homeless Veterans and other people living on our streets. It's time that we start taking care of the real Americans and let all those other people and countries take care of there own people. I never seen any of those other countries here helping us when we have had disasters in America. It took our country two weeks to help the people in New Orleans but our government can put supply's in another country in less than 24 hours when they have a disaster. What is wrong with this picture?
I love helping people out, but I do believe we need to take care of our own people first. Not take away from us and our future, which is our children. But it seems that's all our government is doing over and over, is taking away from our children.
There are other ones that really need our help too which is the homeless, and the elderly. With many losing their jobs, and homes, what's next? How much do we need to lose, before OUR government see's we need help HERE?! So how much do we send to the 3rd world?
I really want to say thank you. The purpose of expressing one's self through the written word is to either impart information or create the reader to stop and question their own belief. This article has done the later. For that I am grateful.
WOW, Rev. you might find this hard to believe, but I have been thinking this for 3 years now, and I'm only 15 years old. I read books about the starving children here in the U.S., and people below the poverty line here in America. In no way shape or form do I not feel, or care for those people in those 3rd world countries, but then I step back and say, Hey look at my country! We are not in good enough shape to start helping everybody else out yet. I'd like a politician to come out and address this, but it seems unlikely. I'll keep on praying, Hey maybe I'll be that politician!
» left by Erika from Canada (181 days 11 hours ago.)
I am Canadian, a 14 year old girl. Now, right off the bat you are probably going to think that I know nothing about the subject-you're wrong. I was writing an essay on Canada and Foreign Aid for school, when I stumbled across this. Canada does plenty for other countries, especially the U.S. If you disagree, I can't understand why. Take hurricane Katrina for example: the government of Alberta donated 5 MILLION DOLLARS and Nova Scotia donated $100 000 to the Hurricane Katrina Fund. What more can you ask for? What does the U.S. do for other countries??... I am truly sorry if I offend anyone by saying this but-maybe it is time for us to stop and think...are Americans just worried about themselves, not other countries? Maybe some of these people that think they have it so hard up should go over to a place like Uganda, or Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the female literacy level is under 18%, yet, in the U.S.A., it is close to 100%. Do you see my point? I do agree that some parts of the States are poorer than others, but, IF THE AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO HELP OTHER COUNTRIES, NOBODY WILL WANT TO HELP THEM IN RETURN! Think for a minute how lucky or unlucky you are. To me, if you have some of these things, you are pretty darn lucky! :
-a doctor's clinic near you
-a school for your child(ren) to attend
-a roof over your head
-a computer
-a vehicle
-clothes
-clean drinking water
...
the list goes on and on. Think of the poor children in the Developing countries. Do they have most of these things? NO!
Once again, I understand the fact that there are many poor areas in the United States, but, the Government is trying to help you by helping others. By helping other countries, those countries will one day look up to you as being selfless and understanding. They will most likely help you in your time of struggle after they get past theirs.
I am truly sorry again if I offended anyone by stating the obvious, but I really think its time for us all to take the time and think...are we being fair?
Thank you for your time,
Erika.
P.S. In Canada, we are doing all we can to help the others in need, especially the churches. We appreciate any volunteers we can get. In my high school, we are sending students to Uganda to build schools for the children there so that they can learn.
» left by Christopher Higgins from Livingston, MT (166 days 7 hours ago.)
The young lady from Canada is, as Canadians tend to be, incredibly polite in her comment. It is wonderful that some of the provincial governments in Canada, and doubtless many individual citizens, gave to disaster funds like Katrina. Canadians have stood with the US in many crisis situations, just was we have with our northern neighbors. What she fails to realize in her youth is that foreign aid is BILLIONS of dollars from the United States to other countries. This isn't gestures of a few million dollars to help in an earthquake recovery. Much of this money goes to nations that are not democratic. Some of this money goes to nations that have no need for our money - Israel, for example. A large number of the countries that the US taxpayer supports or "props up" have policies and governments which systematically work to undermine our country, our success, our freedoms and institutions. Dozens of the countries we give over a billion dollars to annually are run by dictators who hate our nation. Countless more have regular protests against American imperialism or our way of life, while using our money to fund their activities. Still others supress women's rights, stifle religious freedoms, quash decent, kill those that oppose them. Political leaders from both parties ignore these facts. Any aid given on a regular basis should be voted on by the people, or at least debated individually, country by country, in Congress by our representatives. I am not talking about disasters - all prosperous countries should step in and help the world when a disaster strikes. ALL PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES - meaning not just English speaking ones like the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. When was the last time you heard about Saudi Arabia giving $20 million to some cause (Mr. Clinton's foundation is not a "cause"). When was the last time you read that Norway was donating 2% of its GDP to another nation, with no expectations? When has China given money, or anything of actual value, to one of its struggling southeast Asian neighbors? You don't hear about it because it doesn't happen. Americans are arrogant - that is true. I think we all can recognize that. But we are the most charitable nation in the history of the world, and it can't go on forever. Let's rethink where the money goes. Let's expect something from the recipients. Let's support nations who we agree with. Let's give money to countries who need assistance, not ones with healthy economies and productive citizens. I'd rather my check go to Mississippi than Malawi. Cleveland rather than Cambodia. What about you? Where do you want your tax money spent?
I agree with you, Canada to spends billions in aid to nations such as the USA but more importantly (and more what everyone is refering to) to nations outside our alliance... I too stumbled across this doing a reoprt for school but I'm 17 years old. There is so much to consider when asking "should forgin aid be stopped?"
Foreign Aid should be continued, but not because I agree with the majority of foreign aid but because Canada’s foreign aid programs have been central to establishing Canada’s prestige. (alot of this goes with the US too)Canada is seen as a committed, constructive member of the international community – this reputation opens doors and gives Canada a stronger voice in world affairs. More aid should be put towards resolving gloabal challenges, such as enviormental problems. Rather then on industrial and economic projects that are further damaging our enviroment. Aid that is given for things aside from the enviroment should be in the form of tied aid. This tied aid for example should require that developing nations establish air-polutions limits. Enviornmental concerns is a major problem that is plaguing the underveloped world where the poor will be disproportionately affectd. Their homeland land will become unlivable and immagration will increase! TO AN ALL TIME EXTREM. Also, but 2050 the world population will double! SO WILL ARE AID TO? Canada (I'm sure the US is close to this) is only responsible for 1% of the worlds growth! Its the developing world that is having large large families. Some of the reasons are high dealth rates! Yes, I know ironic! high dealth rates in a nation usally mean high infant morality. Families only (retirment) investment are their children so in case some dealth this is one reason they have large families. Things like health care can stop these high dealth rates, and ultimatly stop the rapid growth in population. As well by educating them on HIV, AID and birth control the dealth and population rate has a better chance at stablizing. BUT WHERE IS THAT MONEY SUPPOSED TO COME FROM!? Some aid we need to provide just to ensure our own nations.
I most strongly disagree however with the aid available to foreigners within Canada. (or the US I'm sure) These people are fortanuate to experiance the "Canadian dream" or "American dream" yet at the expense of the tax payers ontop of this they freely recive burcharies, scholarships, and grants for school. I feel that if they obtain citizenship they should have to apply for student loans like all other Canadians that require funding do, or after compleating their pre-paied post secondary go back to their home land to serve their own country.
ps I copy and pasted a little piece of my report (the fonts differnt in that dection) take care ! =)
The level of ignorance and close-mindedness in these rants about foreign aid is appalling. The reason America is so 'charitable' goes back to the 11 September 2001 attacks, which then the US had hundreds of millions dollars in back payments, of which they had not paid to the UN. The US had to pay off what it originally owed to the UN to garner support for its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Which turned out to be a rather large sum, as America had been ignoring its obligatory payments to the UN for quite some time.
Foreign aid to countries is something nearly all countries do. And Christopher Higgins, you claiming that Norway doesn't give 2% of its GDP to aid donations is wrong. As per the Millennium Development Goals introduced in 2001, consisting of 192 countries and at least 23 international organisations, have set eight goals to address global crises and have them solved by 2015, which includes a request for countries to give 2% of their GDP, as advocated by Jeffrey Sachs, which Norway has agreed to do. This is the proper way of addressing many of the world's problems, by getting the international community, which what all you people are calling for, to give aid as well. The eight goals consist of: 1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; 2. Achieve universal primary education; 3. Empower women; 4. Reduce child mortality; 5. Improve maternal health; 6. Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases; 7. Ensure environmental stability; finally, 8. Global partnership for development. Much progress has been made in many of these areas, which was not happening before. Granted, there are still large concerns, but the progress that has been made is a welcome sign that the international community is committed to these eight goals and achieving the aims it set out achieve.
It is also in the strategic interests of America to give aid to foreign countries. If aid is given properly, it leads to growth and development - two areas which are necessary for stability. Growth and stability in other areas of the world serves in the best interests of America as there will be less conflict and more cooperation. This also opens up new markets and brings new products into the world, creating more competitiveness, driving global economic growth.
Additionally, the amount of foreign aid the US gives is dwarfed immensely in comparison with the trillions of dollars America has spent in its six years in Iraq. Perhaps, if only a small percentage of the defence spending were to be resorted to addressing American domestic policy concerns they could be easily solvable. Foreign aid is not simply an 'American phenomenon', but something the entire international community has contributed to, not only when its strategic interests are at risk.
I'm Canadian, but many many Canadians feel the same. Look at the recession (right here, right now) were suffering and badly because of it, yet our country is still giving out aid! Our tropes are out their dieing each day, trying to "peace keep." I'm only a grade 11 student but I see it, and I suffer because of it. The money that is being spent on the war, and the money spent on aid... I attend an Outreach school and so many KIDS that go their are MOMS who are their because they are demanding a better life for themselves, but get after struggling to finish high school find out that that is all for them.... they can't afford 12 000 for a year and a half of post secondary. ITS SICKINING, and anyone who's a TRUE Canadian or American would want their nation to benefit before anything else. ⁢-- period.
and for you that said : Did you forget about hurricane Katrina? What about 9-11? Where was all the aid and help from foreign countries that you speak of when those disasters happened? NOT HERE.
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