[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Andrew_S', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', '
')Have we forgotten the Marshall Plan so soon?

Can you imagine what the world would have looked like if Americans hadn't given billions of dollars (1940s dollars) to our long time friends and foes alike?

[topcat]

Tyler -

The point I tried to make, is that everyone wants a hand-out, but...
when the US hits a rough patch, I never hear of any aid coming our way.

[Andrew_S]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', '
')1. A system of fixed exchange rates supported by the world's largest gold reserve (USA) was better than each bankrupt European country attempting to create its own currency. Clearly the Bretton Woods system benefited both the United States and Europe in the long term.

[kadoomsoon]

Winning WWII gave us the right to send them all our money to rebuild, what a deal.

[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('topcat', 'T')yler -

The point I tried to make, is that everyone wants a hand-out, but...
when the US hits a rough patch, I never hear of any aid coming our way.

[topcat]

Tyler -

Thank you for correcting me.

I need to read more and take time to seach before I speak.

It is refreshing that others offered, disappointing that TPTB passed on some of the offers.

I realize that we/US is better off than some, worse off than others.

IMO, each should help the other when needed.

[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('topcat', 'T')yler -

Thank you for correcting me.

I need to read more and take time to seach before I speak.

It is refreshing that others offered, disappointing that TPTB passed on some of the offers.

I realize that we/US is better off than some, worse off than others.

IMO, each should help the other when needed.

[Chesire]

The charities I support are all American for Americans . As long as there are hungry , homeless and people in need of healthcare in America the rest of the world can get fucked . Charity begins at home.

[Gigashadow]

While I agree with the sentiment in general, I don't give two shits if someone has the same citizenship as me -- if I'm giving out free money to people, it's far more important that they share the same values, than happening to live at the opposite end of the same landmass that is claimed by a government.

It reminds me of these "Our products are made by <insert citizenship here>". Please die. I'll buy products from whoever makes the best. If you want my business, just make better shit please.

Similarly with charities. Now if I know someone personally, or they are at least part of the local community, then fine, that at least makes sense. But for me, citizenship is too arbitrary a thing to care about.

[Bas]

I apologize for being so personal about this to our resident Americans.

[Bas]

bttt

[Bas]

I suppose this has no appeal, makes sense...

[culicomorpha]

Bas,

I think you're absolutely right. For all the hysterical ranting and raving about how generous the American people believe themselves to be, when you take out the weapons and the torture training, there really isn't all that much in aid that I would consider productive. Certainly none of the money going to Israel. And the key point is the money always comes with strings. That's the whole point of the money. (Again, except for Israel)

If only 10% of what the wars are costing was put into appropriate technology assistance for the third world, lots of people would be better off.

And I think that is why there is a reaction. I think the sense in America for some time now has been that any improvements outside the US will come at the expense of US standard of living. It's like the seesaw effect, if others go up, it means we go down. I don't think Americans will ever believe that "high tide lifts all ships."

Maybe it was Ross Perot with his "big sucking sound" that left an impression. Coupled with the continual slashing of social programs, I think many Americans are really dealing with a kind of trauma that comes from having very little in the way of real security, and so we make up a bunch of fairy tales about how great we are. Actually, the stories are made all pre-packaged for us, but you get the idea.

Just my $0.02.

[Bas]

kewl, culu, I think most of the world has trouble with America's desperate attempts to stay the most "popular"

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'S')ure, sometimes the money gets siphoned off to bad people so they can buy guns and attack their neighbors.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'S')ure, sometimes the money gets siphoned off to bad people so they can buy guns and attack their neighbors.

[kadoomsoon]

The cost of the war could have educated every child in america clear through a 4 year college degree. All children from 1 year to 24 years old.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kadoomsoon', 'T')he cost of the war could have educated every child in america clear through a 4 year college degree. All children from 1 year to 24 years old.

[culicomorpha]

Bas, I don't think we are winning any popularity contests. In fact, quite the contrary.

This government has shown a pretty consistent pattern of ignoring world opinion and 'going it alone.' There was a hilarious bit on 'Daily Show with Jon Stewart' recently, where he talked about the "coalition of the willing." He pointed out that the numbers were like 95% US involvement in Iraq, and the next largest group of soldiers, the UK, had around 5500 troops, but the Parliament was cutting that by 2500 or so, making US involvement more like 98%. Finland, if I recall correctly, was counted among the "coalition," but was represented by a single woman, who had since returned home.
So much for the coalition of the willing.

[Chesire]

Perhaps we are "cheap"

Yet some things to consider

How many billions are spent to pay foreign nationals employed on US bases over seas ?

How much is contributed to local economies by US citizens stationed over seas ?

How many billions of dollars flow out to other countries from illegal immigrants in america ?

How man billions are spent on public assistance for non us citizens in the country illegally ?

How many billions are stolen by intellectual property theft from american companies ?

When are the French going to pay up the 4 trillion + they owe the US ?

When are the Chinese going to pay up on the nationalist bonds the US holds ?

When is Europe going to pay the US to station troops in their countries ?

No matter what wind , rain or shine if you have anything that others can convince themselves they are entitled to . There will never be a shortage of people with their hands out in a queue .