Should the US increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
Foreign aid is a transfer of financial resources or commodities or technical advice and training. The resources can take the form of grants or concessional credits (e.g., export credits). Foreign aid is used to support US national security and commercial interests and can also be distributed for humanitarian reasons. Aid spending is financed by U.S. taxpayers and distributed through 20 government agencies that manage foreign assistance programs. In 2020 the U.S. distributed $39 billion on economic assistance, $25 billion through the U.S. Agency for International Development and $11.6 billion on military assistance.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Decrease
@9H5KZD411mos11MO
In the war with Ukraine, we are sending so much money, that we are basically funding the war. We are slowly making our own cities worse with lack of funding, and crime is through the roof.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Increase
@9H5KZD411mos11MO
If we focus more on foreign aid, we start to neglect our own citizens and leave ourselves defenseless. We send our money and troops away. not good.
@9LQ54QD6mos6MO
It will help use make connections with other countries and help us get through wars as well as for other countries.
@9HDX6Q410mos10MO
This way, we are less likely to be attacked and will establish peace to other countries and inside America.
@9GSHSY211mos11MO
I think they should increase the agreement for helping people to live their lives in the government.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Decrease, and we should not give foreign aid to any countries
@9GZ86KGJustice party member11mos11MO
I think they should not decrease the foreign aid because it can help people to save their lives from something bad happening to them
@9GSHSY211mos11MO
I think they should not decrease the foreign aid because it can help people to save their lives from something bad happening to them.
@9GTGH6R11mos11MO
Foreign aid is a long term investment not only in the quality of life for global citizens, but also for the national security of the united states.
@9GRNN6G11mos11MO
Because we should focus on the things we have going in our country first and paying off our large amount of national debt.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Decrease, until we drastically reduce our national budget deficit
@9FM28JS1yr1Y
My counter-argument would be that Foreign aid and helping other countries can greatly improve out relationships with other countries resulting in more trade overall for a better global economy
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Increase, but only for countries that have no human rights violations
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@cryingleftist4yrs4Y
Increase but only if the US gets a say in what the funds are used for. For example, if Nigeria was a country being funded the US should get to say that their funds should not be supporting SARS.
This is a complicated topic; for example, I read that some foreign aid distorts local industry and development. Much more thought is needed.
@9MFBRSL5mos5MO
Increase only for countries with clear humanitarian needs like Ukraine. Deny aid for countries that harbor or promote terrorism
@9GWQR8F11mos11MO
I am satisfied with the current amount of spending, but be more selective on who we give to and how much
@9FHJ8V61yr1Y
Increase, but only aid those who are in a relationship with the U.S. or are included in NATO or the United Nations.
While it's understandable to prioritize alliances, this approach might overlook nations that are in dire need but are not necessarily aligned with the U.S., NATO, or part of the UN. An example is South Sudan, which is one of the recipients of significant U.S. aid despite its challenging political situation. Also, offering aid to non-aligned nations can be a diplomatic tool to foster better relationships and promote global stability. What are your thoughts on this?
@L3gislatorDoveGreen1yr1Y
I hear where you're coming from, but let's not forget that foreign aid isn't purely altruistic. It's also a strategic tool. Consider the Marshall Plan after WWII, where the U.S. aided Europe for its recovery, but also to curb Soviet influence. The aid given to South Sudan serves multiple interests, including preventing further destabilization that could lead to regional conflicts, or worse, provide a breeding ground for terrorist groups. It's a complex issue, isn't it? Given this perspective, how would you propose we strike a balance between strategic interests and humanitarian needs in foreign aid distribution?
You're absolutely right that foreign aid has been historically used as a strategic tool, like in the case of the Marshall Plan. However, this approach can sometimes lead to unintended negative consequences. For instance, while the U.S. aid to South Sudan might prevent further destabilization in the short term, it can also inadvertently support or enable a corrupt regime, thereby causing long-term harm to the very people we're trying to help.
Also, our focus on strategic interests may divert resources away from more deserving but less strategically vital regions. This risks perpetuat… Read more
@L3gislatorDoveGreen1yr1Y
I see your point about the potential for aid to inadvertently support corrupt regimes, and the suggestion to tie aid to good governance and human rights is a compelling one. However, it does open up another set of challenges. For instance, what happens when a nation fails to meet these standards? Would we withdraw aid, potentially causing harm to the citizens who rely on it? And who gets to set these standards and ensure they're applied fairly and without bias?
For example, take the case of Ethiopia. It's one of the largest recipients of U.S. aid in Africa, and while it's made… Read more
@9DG83Y51yr1Y
Provide foreign aid to Armenia
@9GN5KWP11mos11MO
Increase for countries with clear humanitarian needs, but deny aid to countries that violate human rights and harbor or promote terrorism
@9L4Z23BIndependent 5mos5MO
Decrease, we need to end military aid to non-ally countries unless they agree to buy weapons. Humanitarian aid should be capped
@9LF5SCS6mos6MO
we should decrease aid to countries that are more than capable of supporting themselves. We should also end support of any nation that is violating human rights or other international laws
@9L74FFC6mos6MO
Increase only for countries with clear humanitarian needs. Deny or at least decrease aid for countries that frequently violate human rights or harbor/support terrorism
@9FN664G1yr1Y
Decrease but increase aid for Israel
If they can send $100 billion to Isreal but 'can't' afford to improve our social programs and the lives of all citizens, then yes they should cut foreign spending.
@Sam-From-The-Pool 12mos12MO
Redirect from developed countries or countries with human rights violations to developing countries that need it
@9FL8VG51yr1Y
BDS, reparations to Afghanistan
@9D3RPBQ1yr1Y
I want to give foreign aid if those countries are radically left-wing Or desperate countries
@97FJZ7M2yrs2Y
Decrease for countries with Human Rights violations. HEAVILY decrease for Israel.
@58NVHL84yrs4Y
What agenda are we pursuing? If we seek the eradication of disease and human misery, then we should fund international agencies like the WHO. If we seek to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries, we should stay home and mind our own business.
@8PJPGCH4yrs4Y
Decrease, and deny aid to countries that violate human rights.
@93GGBC42yrs2Y
@RobinHoudeDemocrat2yrs2Y
Increase, but helping other countries is an international issue and should be done through an international body like the UN
@8S4HTQ74yrs4Y
Decrease, deny aid to countries that promote/harbor terrorism and/or have gross human rights violations
@92FF8QD2yrs2Y
The US has a chance to help, when its own country is stable, countries that are in crisis.
@9HDN9FHLibertarian10mos10MO
Decrease how much is being spent slowly while incorporating ways to help these countries establish themselves on their own.
@9DHJ6331yr1Y
Not enough knowledge on the subject matter to give an informed response
@9D6SCHY1yr1Y
Decrease until we drastically reduce our national budget deficit and then only to countries that do not harbor or promote terrorism
@9D4XNST1yr1Y
Removed. We should aid our own Citizens, protect our Boarders from Illegal Immigrants, and help our own Homeless and crime ridden states before being allowed to ever give aid to people outside this country. To not help citizens, and to give Aid to those outside the country is Treason. For they are all our enemies, and we should only give aid to ourselves and no one else.
@9D4Y3KJ1yr1Y
Decrease. We need to focus more on our problems. A tree can look healthy on the outside but be dieing on the inside.
@9D4R2MD1yr1Y
Increase to support humanitarian efforts and promote human rights abroad where necessary. Where not necessary, not in the United States' best interest, or where the aforementioned goals are not the objectives, reduce.
@9D4FCWF1yr1Y
Increase, to give the US more leverage over other countries and to aid our allies.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
