Foreign Aid
In the age of socialization, why are we so reluctant to help those most in need?
There has never been a time when it is easier to offer foreign aid. The technological means for transport are there, the research for vaccines, nutrition programs and effective education, and there have never been more people on our planet than ever before.
Why is it then, that there is so little action on helping the foreign countries that desperately need some of those programs?
One suggestion is this: When political leaders are inactive on foreign policy or any issue, the public is as well. In America especially, where the amount of federal funds allocated for the International Affairs budget is less than 5% of what’s given to national defense, lawmakers are the ones who can start a heavier flow of foreign aid.
It’s evident that the American public is galvanized by certain issues that are pressed by politicians and the media: gun control, healthcare, cost of higher education and women’s reproductive rights.
Putting international aid on that list of topics politicians stress importance is one big step into getting the public to realize that it is a cause worth fighting for, just as much as any issue noted above.
And foreign aid is under attack now with our current administration. The already dwindling International Affairs budget is to be cut by 30% if the White House has its way. Drastic cuts like these cannot stand and political leaders must know that.
But it has to start with our communities first. Our representatives, they listen when they hear their constituents express support for a certain bill or measure they want passed.
It shows—just this month, Congressman Ted Lieu cosponsored the Keeping Girls in School Act. The representatives listen, but we need to give issues a voice first.
Grace Dean
Response to ‘Two Cents’
Mr. Arthur Hoyle, I was the writer of the insightful comments to Two Cents regarding the Garden Party—and people who know me know I have absolutely no problem putting my name to anything. It was a thought at that moment and Two Cents was expedient.
Now Arthur, everyone knows the primary purpose of Mueller was not discovering Russian interference. Heck, that was known by our intelligence agencies well in advance of the investigation.
Thirty million dollars were spent to confirm what was already known? Glad you’re OK with that but some of us paying the lion’s share of taxes in this country may not be. By the way, the Three Stooges could have done a better job of influencing the election.
The FBI and CIA could have been allowed to do their jobs, for which we already pay plenty, but let’s be honest, for the opposition party, this was all about the infamous collusion and was initiated principally by supposition and then politically driven to oust one very disliked opponent.
Incidentally, I’m an independent who didn’t vote for either one of them, and no big fan of the guy in the White House (though isn’t it nice that a lot more people have jobs today?), but I do have a problem with bureaucrats on either side who spend tax dollars to benefit their political aims.
And yes I agree, politics is corrupt, but on both sides of the aisle (maybe a certain ex-president’s foundation?).
Dennis White
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.