A Modest Proposal

COMMENT SUMMARY:  No comments were received.

MY COMMENT: 

According to the federal government:

Foreign assistance is aid given by the United States to other countries

to support global peace, security, and development efforts, and provide humanitarian relief during times of crisis. It is a strategic, economic,

and moral imperative for the United States and vital to U.S. national

security.

Today, the U.S. manages foreign assistance programs in more than

100 countries around the world through the efforts of over 20

different U.S. Government agencies. These investments further America's

foreign policy interests on issues ranging from expanding free markets, combating extremism, ensuring stable democracies, and addressing

the root causes of poverty, while simultaneously fostering global good will.

Our federal government plans to spend 34 billion dollars on foreign assistance in 2017.

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/

Interviews with 1,012 adult Americans were conducted by telephone by Opinion Research Corporation in January 2011: Published by CNN, the response was that 81% felt that reducing aid to foreign countries was a good way to reduce the federal budget deficit, while 18% thought aid was more important than reducing deficit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid

Amounts vary, but it appears that our national debt is around 19 trillion dollars.  The $34 billion the federal government plans to spend on Foreign Aid in 2017 would not have much effect on our deficit spending. 

Thomas Pogge, Director of the Global Justice Program and Leitner Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs at Yale University,has noted that public opinion will not change even while the hardships suffered by poor people are rising, partly as a result of the U.S.-caused Global Financial Crisis. This is even though worldwide opinion of the United States improves with contributions to developing countries,although some claim the U.S. is helping corrupt governments with the aid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid

Talk about liberal guilt!  This is the kind of thinking that has our college students supporting Bernie Sanders, an avowed Socialist, for President.  I would argue that:

• ·     Things usually have more than one cause.

• ·     One of the causes of the banking crisis was President Clinton’s policy that everyone who wants to should be able to realize the Americandream of owning their own home.  Consequently, government interference in the banking industry caused banks to make home loans to persons who were not financially qualified to repay.  These loans were later bundled and sold. When they were defaulted on the banking industry went into crisis; contributing to global economic difficulties.  Hillary Clinton is running, in part, on the “successful" economic record of her husband’s presidency.  If you want more of the same, vote for Hillary.  I won’t.

U.S. citizens should inform themselves about the operations of their government, including Foreign Aid, and should form their own opinions about the effectiveness of those activities.  Personally, I think we can do better.

I support the United States’ provision of aid to foreign countries.  However, I want it to be done more effectively.  I don’t like it when the money is misappropriated, used for clandestine purposes, or when the people who get the help do not know where it came from.; to name a few.  I get angry when we give aid to countries who actively oppose our goals and interests.  Following is a list of such countries, and the foreign aid planned for them in 2017:

China ……………………. $6,800,000

Venezuela ………………. $5,500,000

Mexico ……………….  $134,664,000

Turkey …………………... $3,800,000

Yemen ………………....  $55,884,000

Saudi Arabia ………………...  $10,000

Syria ……………..…….  $238,470,000

Somalia ………………… $513,667,000

Indonesia ………………. $179,125,000

Pakistan ………..……… $742,200,000

Vietnam …….…………   $131,912,000

Libya …………………….   $20,500,000

Cuba ……………………   $15,000,000

http://beta.foreignassistance.gov/

We have to remember that this is a federal government operation.  Otherwise there would be no explanation for such stupidity.  Reader, you can toss off some of the countries on my list if you do not think they should be there, and replace them with ones that you like better.  But, please remember this, the total from my list is $2,047,532,000.  Anyway, let’s take it as a hypothetical and play with it a bit.

Allow me to suggest a couple of options for using that money differently:

• We could take it away from the bad guys and give it to countries that are trading, and otherwise partnering, with us in good faith.  The Ukraine could probably use some humanitarian, military, and economic aid.  We already give Israel more than anybody else, but they could probably use some help getting out from under the bus President Obama and John Kerry threw them under when they cut the nuclear deal with Iran. 

• Or, we could bail ourselves out of the unfunded liabilities mess in the Social Security system.  According to the Census Bureau, the population of the U.S.A. was 321,418, 820 in 2015.  Therefore, if we kept 20 percent of the money and other resources we give to each of the countries listed above, we could give each American citizen $1.27 million, and have change left over.

Some say that would cause hyperinflation.  Some say in 10 years the rich would be richer, and the poor would be back in the tank.  Not if we do it right.  We could put the money in IRA’s (in banks where Congress can’t get their hands on it), tax free until the owner retired at 65 or became disabled.  The interest would apply to the balance until retirement.  The balance at the time the IRA owner died, could be inherited by his or her heirs.  This would encourage the maintenance of family ties, and it would encourage children to honor and obey their parents.

New citizens by birth or naturalization would get their IRA’s at birth.  The Constitution would need to be changed to exclude children born in the United States of foreign parents from citizenship, but what an incentive to do so!

A rich ruler asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life.  Knowing the man’s heart, Jesus said he should obey the commandments. The rich ruler said he had done so since his youth.  Jesus then told him, “You still lack one thing.  Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”  The rich ruler became very sad because he loved his wealth.  Then Jesus told him, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”  The people standing by asked, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God. (Luke 18:18-27)

Praise God for his grace, which alone can save us.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV) Jesus said. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48 NIV)

I urge everyone to Write your Congressmen and Senators demanding reform to prevent abuses in the Foreign Aid program.  However, I believe that such programs need to exist.  Too often, people use conservatism as an excuse for penury.  Too often, Liberals think they can solve problems by spending other people’s money, without safeguards for how it is to be used.

We also need to “solve it individually,” by giving to the poor.  If you can’t give money, give service or donate possessions.

One way to help is to sponsor a child.  For more information, please mail:

Compassion International

Colorado Springs, CO  80997

Or call them at: 1-800-336-7676

Or contact them on the Web at:

www.compassion.com/contact/