Bring U.S. Foreign Assistance into the 21st Century

[mizzoulibertarian]

in 2012 when RON PAUL is president there will be NO more theft from the American people. all aid will be ended

[omiornaomi]

Foreign assistance represents approximately 1% of the US budget, 21% is military and 8% is interest on the debt according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Our deficit is worrisome but foreign assistance could be a more effective approach to preventing terrorism, environmental degradation and other problems that end up coming back to us in the form of wars, economic migration etc. This might be a helpful angle for skeptics to explore.

[FreshCutMedia]

I love the old footage!

[BellaAngelique]

A nation that has a deficit as large as the USA should not be giving out money and assistance that they just run up on an increasing tab.

The USA needs to end foreign assistance and pay its debts to the foreign nations it already owes and owes big.

[kazooz2]

You just don't get it. Foreign Assistance is mostly the purchase of US goods! And, it's not just about aid, it's also trade policy, environment policy, security. Developing nations success means a better life for all of us.

[ChomoCholo]

@kazooz2 We already pay for most of the Western World's security.

We're broke. We can't afford any new weapons systems.

[azpeitio]

We should suspend foreign aid. Let the European free loaders come up with some of the money we spent on them soooo long ago. Gold bricks, but how they complain. Do something worthwile european slackers. I am sick and tired of helping an ungrateful world, let them eat...

[CrookdRiverWmn]

@azpeitio - In terms of percentage of GNP, the US has almost always been lower than any other industrialized nation in the world. Because we are such a huge economy and the wealthiest nation in the world, we give a lot, but not as much as European nations do. They're far from "freeloaders" or "slackers." Besides, they know it's an investment that pays off in for their markets in the long run. That's why the US helped rebuild Europe to begin with -- it was in our long term interest. Aid is too.

[Azpeitius]

You are only accounting for Government official money. If the total donations of the US (Private and Public) are considered, the Euros lag miserably per capita or absolute terms. I wish to remind you that the EU is a larger economy than the US. Historically, Europe has exploited the rest of the World. If you need proof: Look at the Spanish ex-colonies. If what the US was looking for was self-interest, the Berlin Airlift would not have happened. Berlin would have been handed over.

[CrookdRiverWmn]

It's wonderful that Americans are generous via nonprofits. I've fundraised for nonprofits myself. But nonprofits are only one side of development. And EU's economy v. US economy: proportionate to size, we give less. Yes, parts of Europe got rich off the rest of the world, though some of the biggest spenders didn't. Bottom line: we love that we sell Hollywood and CocaCola, etc. all over, but we don't want the responsibilities that come with our global wealth and power. That's not right.

[mizzoulibertarian]

@CrookdRiverWmn and in 2012 when Ron Paul is president that aid we give will end. the theft from the american people is about to be put to an end.

[Tracymmo]

@mizzoulibertarian Theft? What theft? We give far less in aid than other developed countries. It's about .39% (a third of 1%) of our federal budget. Much of it is linked to economic development that will either ultimately strengthen trade or provide greater national security. And as the richest country in the world, giving a little just because we can wouldn't be a bad thing anyhow.

[mizzoulibertarian]

@Tracymmo wrong "we don't give anything" the federal government steals wealth from hardworking people and send it abroad." the federal government does this with out the consent of the American people who overwhelmingly oppose foreign aid. regardless of the percantage it is wealth stolen from working americans. and even if we were still the richest country in the world (which is debatable) it is still wrong to steal.

[Tracymmo]

@mizzoulibertarian Steal? It's called a federal budget, and we vote for the people who make it. Why not get upset about the half of our discretionary spending going to the Pentagon? By the way, plenty of hardworking Americans like myself approve of development aid and are tired of much smaller countries doing a better job at it. And you don't think the US is the richest country in the world? Then tell me who is? And back it up with some numbers from reliable sources.

[mizzoulibertarian]

@Tracymmo I'm tired of half of our discretionary spending going to the pentagon as well. going to stupid unnecessary wars to feed the military industrial complex. by the way a lot of the aid goes to countries such as egypt and the people there hate us for it. if we think of wealth as in standard of living for a countries citizens and good jobs or infrastructure we are no longer on top. we vote for people that receive funds millions from large corporations. you think we put them in? lol

[Tracymmo]

@mizzoulibertarian I didn't say a thing about the problems of corporations in our elections, you why are you assuming I am unaware of the problem? We need election reform and well as foreign aid reform. We're not on top when it comes to social indexes either, but the money is there. We need to find the right way to help our own people as well as the many others around the world our wealth is built on.

[spioncina]

In Italy,

we need it toooooooo!!!

Help us please!

[jonasbrothersrock92]

amazing...

[kazooz2]

Wow. Terrific video. it is hard to believe that we are still working on a policy created so long ago. And I can't believe no one is talking about this.

[stereogirl78]

this music is stuck in my head.

[mattching]

Drat! This video is no longer available. Anyone have a link to a video that works?

[sstout1412]

Its great, but too short -- need more info about what is especially out of date -- keep going.

[hassanalqbain]

agree

[djhart4]

foreign assistance is not receiving enough attention in the national debate during this election season. hopefully global development will be discussed more than flag pins during the general campaign.