One of the MAGA myths about American foreign aid in general and the the war in Europe in particular is that the U.S. can’t afford to keep sending weapons and money overseas. But the fact is that foreign aid is not for the most part simply America tax dollars being sent abroad.
A significant portion of American foreign aid is “tied aid,” meaning it must be spent on American-made goods or services. This practice benefits the U.S. economy while providing foreign economic assistance. Some 75%` of American foreign aid consists, as in the case of virtually all military aid, of goods made in America by American workers in American factories.
The remaining 25% of foreign aid, loosely categorized as “Humanitarian Assistance,” is channeled through U.S.-based agencies which then work with a mix of nonprofits and local organizations to implement specific projects. Most of this work is done in American as well.
True, there are cash disbursements. This occurs when a direct cash transfer is the most efficient manner of providing the assistance called for. Such disbursements are not the norm and are scrutinized and monitored closely.
Thus, T****’s isolationist, “America First” policies would have a negative impact on the American economy in general and the workingclass in particular. Also, It’s important to note that foreign aid spending accounts for about 1% of the U.S. Federal budget, significantly less than many Americans believe.
No country exists in isolation. America is the richest, most powerful and influential country in the world. In truth, our economic and political realities are tightly woven into the fabric of the rest of the world’s.
Those who support T****s America First mantra are led to believe the opposite, and that our taxpayer dollars need to remain here. But the overwhelming majority of our foreign aid dollars do remain here, and benefit both the American economy, the nations who receive our aid, and demonstrate our standing as the world’s leader and moral compass. But because of T****’s lying brand of isolationist populism preaches a different tune, they don’t know any of this.
Or perhaps they just don’t want to know.
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