What would happen if the U.S completely stopped giving foreign aid? (Israel, Clinton)

[Marleinie]

Say, theoretically, the U.S completely stopped giving foreign aide to anyone, regardless of who it was and regardless of the circumstances, no more foreign aide to Israel, to Europe, to any 2nd or 3rd world countries.

[lunetunelover]

Personally I think it's a great idea. Not necessarily a permanent thing, just for a few years to see how many things we could do for our own poor and needy.


But, rest assured, there will be plenty of posters here to tell you that what we send in foreign aid is "miniscule" compared to other budgets.

[Marleinie]

The US spends $35 billion on foreign aid . . . but where does the money really go? – Mondoweiss

$35 Billion! Really though, I fail to see how this would be different than parents cutting off the money train from their children. It's hilarious how much they talk bad about the U.S yet simultaneously love to suck on its teet.

[Pub-911]

Wealthy people and nations each have an obligation to give back as they can. The US has long and justly been criticized for its shabby performance in terms of Official Development Assistance as a percent of GDP. We have a long history as a global under-performer in the area of such foreign aid.

[bus man]

If we're going to give out foreign aid, I'd like to see it given to those countries that actually support the United States. Why in the world should we be sending our money to our adversaries?

Seems to me that there's a very simple test to rank the countries according to their level of support for the U.S. Simply tally up how often they voted with us or opposed to us at the United Nations. Then dole out the money (or not) accordingly.

[MyronSubotnick]

Originally Posted by Pub-911

Wealthy people and nations each have an obligation to give back as they can. The US has long and justly been criticized for its shabby performance in terms of Official Development Assistance as a percent of GDP. We have a long history as a global under-performer in the area of such foreign aid.

Who came up with THAT 'obligation' rubbish? There are few countries in the world that like us in the USA, and often feign it in order to get a free handout. But if you feel obligated to help, here is a list of charities you can give your income and savings to: (many of these are for the US, but you don't want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs for other countries)

United Way Worldwide, $3.708 billion.
Task Force for Global Health, $3.154 billion.
Feeding America, $2.150 billion.
Salvation Army, $1,904 billion.
YMCA of the USA, $1.202 billion.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, $1.181 billion
Food for the Poor, $1.156 billion.
Boys & Girls Club of America, $923 million.
Catholic Charities USA, $921 million.
Goodwill Industries International, $902 million.
Habitat for Humanity International, $829 million.
World Vision, $825 million.
American Cancer Society, $810 million.
Patient Access Network Foundation, $801 million.
Compassion International, $799 million.
Direct Relief, $775 million.
Americares Foundation, $740 million.
Lutheran Services in America, $723 million.
Nature Conservancy, $646 million.
American Heart Association, $634 million.
American National Red Cross, $624 million.
Samaritan's Purse, $565 million.
MAP International, $545 million.
Step Up for Students, $#521 million.
Cru, $514 million.
United States Fund for UNICEF, $509 million.
Wounded Warrior Project, $473 million.
Feed the Children, $446 million.
Mount Sinai Health Systems, $439 million.
Save the Children Federation, $379 million.
CARE USA, $378 million.
Good 360, $377 million.
Catholic Relief Services, $372 million.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, $354 million.
Doctors Without Borders USA, $338 million.
Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation, $331 million.
Make-a-Wish Foundation of America, $305 million.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, $298 million.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, $298 million.
Boy Scouts of America, $296 million.
Cross International, $291 million.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, $285 million.
Catholic Medical Mission Board, $281 million.
Alzheimer's Association, $278 million.
Population Services International, $271 million.
Mayo Clinic, $271 million.
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, $269 million.
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, $268 million
American Kidney Fund, $265 million.
Operation Blessing International Relief & Dev., $256 million.
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, $255 million.
Entertainment Industry Foundation, $255 million.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, $248 million.
Susan G. Komen, $242 million.
Project HOPE, $240 million.
Brother's Brother Foundation, $237 million.
American Civil Liberties Union and Foundation, $233 million.
ChildFund International, $230 million.
International Rescue Committee, $228 million.
Young Life, $224 million.
World Wildlife Fund, $222 million.
Easterseals, $221 million.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, $215 million.
Public Broadcasting Service, $212 million.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, $209 million.
Helen Keller International, $207 million.
Foothill Land Conservancy, $206 million.
JDRF, $199 million.
Smithsonian Institution, 198 million.
UJA/Federation of New York, $195 million.
Teach for America, $194 million.
Scholarship America, $192 million.
Paralyzed Veterans of America, $191 million.
Children International, $188 million.
Matthews 25: Ministries, $185 million.
Harlem Children's Zone, $184 million.
Medical Teams International, $184 million.
ClimateWorks Foundation, $184 million.
Robin Hood Foundation, $183 million.
Wycliffe Bible Translators, $182 million.
March of Dimes Foundation, $181 million.
Humane Society of the United States, $180 million.
United Service Organizations, $179 million.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital,$178 million.
Metropolitan Opera Association, $176 million.
American SPCA, $173 million.
Christian Broadcasting Network, $173 million.
United Negro College Fund, $171 million.
Houston Food Bank, $169 million.
Educational Media Foundation, $162 million.
Project Orbis International, $160 million.
PATH, $158 million.
Museum of the Bible, $156 million.
The Arc, $153 million.
Junior Achievement USA, $150 million.
Smile Train, $150 million.
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, $149 million.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, $148 million.
American Museum of Natural History, $140 million.
American Diabetes Association, $140 million.

[unit731]

Originally Posted by Marleinie

Say, theoretically, the U.S completely stopped giving foreign aide to anyone, regardless of who it was and regardless of the circumstances, no more foreign aide to Israel, to Europe, to any 2nd or 3rd world countries.

Small minds just don't get it.


1. National Security
2. International Trade (US businesses)

[jetgraphics]

When the USA stops bribing foreign governments, you can expect a swift reprisal in the form of a rejection of all our bases located in their territory.
Best be ready to repatriate all that material and personnel ASAP. . . just sayin'.

[infocyde]

Originally Posted by Pub-911

Wealthy people and nations each have an obligation to give back as they can. The US has long and justly been criticized for its shabby performance in terms of Official Development Assistance as a percent of GDP. We have a long history as a global under-performer in the area of such foreign aid.

What isn't included in this is the cost of the US military presence that defended Europe and other areas since WWII. Also individuals in the US are often very charitable and donate more than in other countries. They just do it individually, as you can, right now, with your own wallet, without having the government take it's cut.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by bus man

If we're going to give out foreign aid, I'd like to see it given to those countries that actually support the United States. Why in the world should we be sending our money to our adversaries?

Seems to me that there's a very simple test to rank the countries according to their level of support for the U.S. Simply tally up how often they voted with us or opposed to us at the United Nations. Then dole out the money (or not) accordingly.

Because an aspect of foreign aid is gentle bribery. A very good example of this is the history of the relationship of the US and the USSR with Egypt dating back at least as far as the Aswan Dam days.

Selfish people usually don't have many friends. Perhaps that is just as true for governments.