[Bas]

ah yes plantagenet, a small gesture compared to what we're talking about here.

[Ferretlover]

Bas, you are not explaining yourself very well...
Why do you care what aid the US does or doesn't give?
Did you apply for aid and not get it?
Do you think that the US, so far in debt it will take generations to pay it off, should be actively seeking some country to loan us more billions that we cannot pay off so that we can turn around and give the money away?
Why would any country want our nearly worthless dollars?
Do you think that, in spite of PO, aid should go out in unlimited amounts?
And, what kind of aid do you think the US should be providing? Food? Arms? Or, just the money to fatten someone's Swiss or Cayman Island accounts?

[Plantagenet]

The Dutch may be a "small" people compared to the numerous Germans and the clever French and the world-conquering Brits, but they have developed a wonderfully free and open society in their coastal towns, their islands, and their marshland. Much like the city of Venice and the Venetto, the people of Amsterdam and the surrounding Netherlands have played a much larger role in history then their slight numbers would suggest possible.

[dissimulo]

Excellent - it appears we are well on our way to getting our percentage down to zero. I'm glad Europe is willing to step up and give more so that I can hopefully keep a bit more of what I earn.

[Kingcoal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bas', 'o')k my country gives gives more than a quarter of what the US gives, but hey guess what! "my country" comromises of 16 million people, mathematical dimbulb.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'B')as, you are not explaining yourself very well...
Why do you care what aid the US does or doesn't give?
Did you apply for aid and not get it?
Do you think that the US, so far in debt it will take generations to pay it off, should be actively seeking some country to loan us more billions that we cannot pay off so that we can turn around and give the money away?
Why would any country want our nearly worthless dollars?
Do you think that, in spite of PO, aid should go out in unlimited amounts?
And, what kind of aid do you think the US should be providing? Food? Arms? Or, just the money to fatten someone's Swiss or Cayman Island accounts?

[Bas]

all the denial displayed here from people that are so called "open minded" great!

[Novus]

The American government is cheap when it comes to foreign aid the American people privately are not. The number of NGO charities in America that give out aid directly to the needy around the world is far greater than the EU average. The Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation gives billions to the world's poor every year. If this one NGO was a country it would rank above both Sweden and Norway.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Novus', 'T')he American government is cheap when it comes to foreign aid the American people privately are not. The number of NGO charities in America that give out aid directly to the needy around the world is far greater than the EU average. The Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation gives billions to the world's poor every year. If this one NGO was a country it would rank above both Sweden and Norway.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he American government is cheap when it comes to foreign aid the American people privately are not. The number of NGO charities in America that give out aid directly to the needy around the world is far greater than the EU average. The Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation gives billions to the world's poor every year. If this one NGO was a country it would rank above both Sweden and Norway.

[Andrew_S]

About foreign aid.

Is it a good thing? Is a bad thing?
One (black) Kenyan economist has argued that it is a bad thing, because it undermines the local economy.

I support aid if it helps people to improve their own capacity for economic independence and self-management: by advice and material assistance on sustainable practices, health practices and so on.

But like an earlier poster said, so often it just adds a few more rich, corrupt individuals.

So, it's a big if.

Sub-Saharan Africa will most likely always be a disaster....but to state the fundamental reasons is politically incorrect. The number of extremely poor people (one $1 or less per day) in South Africa is now double what it was 10 years ago. No doubt the "evil Whites" are to be blamed.

[topcat]

Bas -

How much money did you send to the US after Katrina?

How much money did you send to the US after the triple hurricanes the other year?

How much have you sent to the US after the Calif wildfires?

Haven't gotten your checks yet, still waiting.

[kadoomsoon]

Aid should be a two way street.

[kadoomsoon]

Aid is the american way.

[Jack]

If we spend even a penny on foreign aid, it is a penny too much. Cheap? My good fellow, we are not nearly cheap enough!

Give nothing. Not a cent. Not a grain of wheat or corn. Not so much as a used pair of underwear with a large hole in an embarrasing spot.

Nothing. Nada. Nill. Zip.

[kadoomsoon]

Jack is wise beyond his years.

[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('topcat', 'B')as -

How much money did you send to the US after Katrina?

How much money did you send to the US after the triple hurricanes the other year?

How much have you sent to the US after the Calif wildfires?

Haven't gotten your checks yet, still waiting.

[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?

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'F')oreign aid helps to reduce needless suffering in some parts of the world, makes those people less likely to hate America, etc.

[Denny]

Before I can put any credibililty in this ranking, I want to know just what is the definition of "Official Development Assistance".

Does it include only money given to government authorized agencies? If so, in many cases, I wish it would be even lower, as the track record of most every western country's donations to third world governments is tainted, so much has gone to support of tyranny.

I would feel far more confident if all governments gave zero, and left the donating to the people themselves. I think far more highly of World Vision than I do of any government agency, either the donor type or the receiver type.

And, just what is wrong with religious variety of giving? The commitment and perseverance of missionaries in the third world to health and education, as well as extension of the faith, is truly heroic.