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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.
That military presence also helped strengthen us. Please don't act as if it was pure generosity.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Gee, I wonder where that came from.
What isn't included in this is the cost of the US military presence that defended Europe and other areas since WWII.
All of that was done in furtherance of the economic and geo-political interests of the United States, not as some big generous favor to foreign nations.
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Originally Posted by infocyde
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.
Whether your feelings are hurt by it or not, the simple facts are that the US has long had a shabby record in terms of Official Development Assistance as a percent of GDP.
Because an aspect of foreign aid is gentle bribery.
Indeed, one of the major purposes of international relations is to reduce and defuse areas of tension. It is part and parcel of that process to seek out and focus on areas of potential cooperation. Health, education, and environmental projects may well be things that adversaries in other areas can find common ground over. Regardless of what they may be called, it is very important to make such efforts.
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Originally Posted by phetaroi
Selfish people usually don't have many friends. Perhaps that is just as true for governments.
A variety of international bodies works to coordinate assistance flows. It is an obligation of global citizenship to participate appropriately in the process.
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.
The US has the best friends money can buy. Take it from there.
The US has the best friends money can buy. Take it from there.
It isn't about real "friendship". It is about things such as our Air Force being able to fly over sovereign air space, our Navy being able to come into ports of call, etc.
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.
In the case of Israel, Russia and China would jump in nearly immediately to sell arms to Israel and subsidize (or discount) part of the cost. The US would add a few 100,000 people to its unemployment rolls.
It isn't about real "friendship". It is about things such as our Air Force being able to fly over sovereign air space, our Navy being able to come into ports of call, etc.
The US will end up paying large fees to do so. It'll be like a parking meter in NYC.
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