Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
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Stephanie
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Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2008/tst030908.htm
Congress is poised to pass the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) authorizing up to $50 million in unconstitutional foreign aid. The bill passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee with a bipartisan agreement to nearly double the President's requested amount. It is always distressing to see officials in our government reach across the aisle to disregard Constitutional limitations.
Much of this aid will run through government-to-government channels and will be vulnerable to corruption. Some of the aid will be sent to faith-based organizations who, along with accepting government largess, will now be subject to governmental controls and will soon become more dependent on taxpayer funding than private funds. If they accept the aid, they must be careful of the vague language regarding what types of programs they can run. For example, the requirement that 33% of any funding received must go toward abstinence-only programs has been dropped and replaced with a 50% requirement toward behavior change. Many humanitarian organizations are incensed by the politicized requirements placed on their work, and feel they are being forced to continue failed programs at the expense of more effective ones.
The obvious question remains: Why are politicians in the United States deciding what is best for people in Africa ? And why are taxpayers in the United States being forced to fund –for example - family planning facilities that perform abortions?
In fact, Afrobarometer, a leading source of data on public attitudes in Africa asked Africans what their main developmental concerns were. They found that Africans are much more concerned about jobs, agriculture and basic infrastructure than they are about health issues like AIDS.
Africans should decide what is best for Africa . American taxpayers should decide what charities deserve their money. Forcibly taking money from the United States and sending it overseas is unconstitutional and immoral.
The energy that lobbying groups and celebrities expend for charitable causes here on the Hill could be better put to use actually addressing problems. It is sadly symptomatic of the trend toward bigger government that instead of private fundraising efforts, people put their hand out to Congress. It is unfortunate that some activists prefer funding taken by force, to donations freely given.
These efforts, though well-meaning, are misguided. The truth is all the foreign aid in the world will not transform Africa into a thriving, healthy continent. The economic growth of Africa depends on African entrepreneurs, liberalized trade policies, and political and economic freedom. The best thing we could possibly do for Africa and for our own country, is to stop sending misguided aid, and stop protectionist trade practices that prevent African farmers and producers from competing in our markets. Perhaps then Africa's leaders would focus less on how to get aid out of the United States , and more on the economic vitality of their own countries.
Re: Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
No, all it can do is further tax the American taxpayer.
Cato
Cato
Cato- Number of posts : 2010
Location : Behind my desk
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
There is increasing evidence that aid to Africa stifles African entrepreneurs, African self-reliance, and increases opportunities for greed, corruption, and abuse. Foreign aid is no good for the giver or the recipients.
ohio county- Moderator
- Number of posts : 3207
Location : Wheeling
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
I think that since trillions in welfare here in the USA has all but wiped out poverty, we should continue to throw money down the African ratholes to feather the nests of African despots and jihadists.
Ich bin Ala-awkbarph- Number of posts : 2310
Age : 73
Location : The Caliphate of Zarr Chasmistan, WV
Registration date : 2008-01-28
Re: Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
It's based on the naive assumptions of American liberals that spending 15 billion dollars on AIDS will actually create 15 billion dollars of good for people with AIDS, just like fighting the "war on poverty" will actually help people in poverty.
I think about North Dakota, which is number one in the country in graduation rates and yet 39th in per pupil spending. Everyone always brings up the need to "spend more on education" without at all studying whether or not increased spending does any good. In New York and California, the SAT scores are abysmal, the dropout rate high, and the spending per pupil astronimcal.
It's no different for Africa. Throwing money at a problem, ignoring the reality of despotism, corruption, and inefficiency, helps no one.
I think about North Dakota, which is number one in the country in graduation rates and yet 39th in per pupil spending. Everyone always brings up the need to "spend more on education" without at all studying whether or not increased spending does any good. In New York and California, the SAT scores are abysmal, the dropout rate high, and the spending per pupil astronimcal.
It's no different for Africa. Throwing money at a problem, ignoring the reality of despotism, corruption, and inefficiency, helps no one.
SheikBen- Moderator
- Number of posts : 3445
Age : 48
Location : The Soviet Socialist Republic of Illinois
Registration date : 2008-01-02
Re: Can Foreign Aid Save Africa?
SheikBen wrote:
It's no different for Africa. Throwing money at a problem, ignoring the reality of despotism, corruption, and inefficiency, helps no one.
Oh, don't be kidding yourself, ....... I'm sure that money helps the ones that it is intended to help.
Just like the "Iraqi's Oil for Food Program" helped those it was intended to help.
.
SamCogar- Number of posts : 6238
Location : Burnsville, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
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