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
@9H5KZD45mos5MO
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
@9H5KZD45mos5MO
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.
@9HDX6Q45mos5MO
This way, we are less likely to be attacked and will establish peace to other countries and inside America.
@9FM28JS7mos7MO
If we increase Foreign aid we can reap the benefits of other countries support. The global economy is crucial in our own economy and working with others is the best way to succeed.
@9GSHSY25mos5MO
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
@9GTGH6R5mos5MO
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.
@9GZ86KGJustice party member5mos5MO
I think they should not decrease the foreign aid because it can help people to save their lives from something bad happening to them
@9GSHSY25mos5MO
I think they should not decrease the foreign aid because it can help people to save their lives from something bad happening to them.
@9GRNN6G5mos5MO
Because we should focus on the things we have going in our country first and paying off our large amount of national debt.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Decrease, until we drastically reduce our national budget deficit
@9FM28JS7mos7MO
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
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Increase, but only for countries that have no human rights violations
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@cryingleftist3yrs3Y
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.
@9GWQR8F5mos5MO
I am satisfied with the current amount of spending, but be more selective on who we give to and how much
@58NVHL83yrs3Y
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.
@9GN5KWP6mos6MO
Increase for countries with clear humanitarian needs, but deny aid to countries that violate human rights and harbor or promote terrorism
@9FHJ8V67mos7MO
Increase, but only aid those who are in a relationship with the U.S. or are included in NATO or the United Nations.
@OtterSkylarLibertarian7mos7MO
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?
@L3gislatorDoveGreen7mos7MO
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?
@OtterSkylarLibertarian7mos7MO
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 perpetu… Read more
@L3gislatorDoveGreen7mos7MO
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 mad… Read more
@97FJZ7M1yr1Y
Decrease for countries with Human Rights violations. HEAVILY decrease for Israel.
@9LF5SCS1wk1W
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
@9L74FFC3wks3W
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
@9FN664G7mos7MO
Decrease but increase aid for Israel
@9DG83Y58mos8MO
Provide foreign aid to Armenia
@978RRLM1yr1Y
Increase, but deny aid to countries that harbor and promote terrorism or inequality in any way
@96DW65F2yrs2Y
Decrease, fund schools and teachers first
@96XT8LLLibertarian1yr1Y
Decrease, but only for countries that violate human rights
@96PYN9W1yr1Y
I don't really care about this
@9BHLQ3212mos12MO
I am unsure about this topic
@9D3RPBQ9mos9MO
I want to give foreign aid if those countries are radically left-wing Or desperate countries
@8PJPGCH3yrs3Y
Decrease, and deny aid to countries that violate human rights.
@96QWGQF1yr1Y
increase, but deny aid to countries that harbor or promote terrorism
@96PPFCM1yr1Y
@93GGBC42yrs2Y
@RobinHoudeDemocrat1yr1Y
Increase, but helping other countries is an international issue and should be done through an international body like the UN
@8C78TVC4yrs4Y
Increase but prioritize US allies
@9BQXYKM12mos12MO
all that you need to do when consider if this type of aid is necessary for us to provide... just take a brief moment outside of whatever beautiful situation you're in... and think about how these nameless families count on us. .. day in and day out. we do it because it's the right thing. not for future assistance in return
@99398VJRepublican1yr1Y
Decrease, reduce national debt and deny to terrorist harboring/promoting nations
@95QQKHR2yrs2Y
the US should fund all of the countries listed except isreal
@8S4HTQ73yrs3Y
Decrease, deny aid to countries that promote/harbor terrorism and/or have gross human rights violations
Decrease, as long as foreign aid is used as a tool to spread neoliberal imperialism.
@92FF8QD2yrs2Y
The US has a chance to help, when its own country is stable, countries that are in crisis.
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