Time to Cut Back On Foreign Aid Handouts -- Charity Begins at Home
America is facing the toughest economic
challenges in our nation's history. -- Now is
the time to put America first and curtail our
foreign aid.
The American people are the most charitable and
generous on the face of the earth. Having said
that, we must now as a nation concentrate on our
own economic well being before we devote
resources we can't afford to others.
Now is the time for other nations to pick up the
slack, step up to the plate and be as helpful as
we have been. It is about time that the world's
communities help more and look to the U.S. less.
The United States has done more than its fair
share for others since our birth as a nation.
Let's take a look at the latest public records
of the top 10 countries that receive U.S.
foreign aid. Keeping in mind that these
statistics do not even take into
account the wars in
Afghanistan and
Iraq:
1.
Israel: $2.4 billion. Virtually all
of this money is used to buy weapons (up to 75%
made in the U.S.). Beginning in 2009, the U.S.
plans to give $30 billion over 10 years.
2. Egypt: $1.7 billion. $1.3 billion to
buy weapons; $103 million for education; $74
million for health care; $45 million to promote
civic participation and human rights.
3.
Pakistan: $798 million. $330 million
for security efforts, including
military-equipment upgrades and border security;
$20 million for infrastructure.
4.
Jordan: $688 million. $326 million to
fight terrorism and promote regional stability
through equipment upgrades and training; $163
million cash payment to the Jordanian
government.
5.
Kenya $586 million. $501 million to
fight HIV/AIDS through drug treatment and
abstinence education and to combat
malaria; $15 million for agricultural
development; $5.4 million for
programs that promote
government accountability.
6.
South Africa: $574 million. $557
million to fight TB and HIV/AIDS; $3 million for
education.
7. Mexico: $551 million.
8.
Colombia: $541 million.
9.
Nigeria: $491 million.
10.
Sudan: $479 million.
In 2008, the U.S. gave an estimated $26 billion
dollars of foreign aid to some 150 countries.
According to the Associated Press, the Obama
administration has requested $36.4 billion in
foreign assistance in fiscal 2011.
At this critical time when we are concerned
about our country's
financial well being it is
imperative that we curtail our charity to
others.
With national unemployment hovering nationally
at nearly 10%, home foreclosures at record
levels, our national deficit soaring, a crisis
looming for
Social Security and
Medicare, two wars, several of states
teetering on the verge of bankruptcy -- just to
name a few of our immediate challenges -- we
must get our own house in order first and
foremost.
The American people should demand that our
government leaders put America first. We need to
come together as a nation and vow to solve our
own problems before we seek to solve the
problems of others. We have a long and proud
history of helping others and we should be proud
of that. But, when times are tough in America, I
do not see others rushing to our side. -- One
reason is because many nations are in the same
boat economically as we are.
Now is a time for national sacrifice and
responsibility. All Americans must be prepared
to do their part to restore America to her
greatness.
Let's take a lesson,
America, from the unrest we are witnessing
throughout Europe. We cannot allow ourselves to
blame others. Our problems in many cases are
self-inflicted. There is no one to blame but us.
So lets not cast blame lets seek solutions.
Our current challenges pale in comparison to the
monumental challenges faced by those who came
before us. General George Washington did not
give up when he was faced with great obstacles
while fighting the Revolutionary War.
Conditions were horrendous and troop morale was
low. He knew that the promise of freedom was
worth the battle over tyranny. So against great
odds he fought on and led his troops to victory
and gave birth to the greatest nation in the
history of the world. Our history is chock full
of overcoming diversity at great odds.
America is at our best when we are challenged.
We never give up and always manage to put our
principles above ourselves. We have done it
before and today, we must do it again. A strong
and prosperous America is important to the
stability and prosperity of the world.
We have an obligation as a world power, (that
others look to for stability, security and
assurance), to get healthy as
soon as possible for our own well-being and
others too.
A weak economic, political, national security
America means a more dangerous and less secure
world.
Bradley A. Blakeman served as deputy assistant
to President
George W. Bush from 2001-04. He is currently
a professor of Politics and Public Policy at
Georgetown University and a frequent contributor
to the Fox News Opinion.