The Bernhard Perspective

FOREIGN AID             

One of the Right-wing Conservative myths about American foreign aid propounded by Donald T**** is that the U.S. can’t afford to keep sending American dollars overseas. But T**** is lying. The fact is that foreign aid consists mostly of America tax dollars being spent at home.

Known as “tied aid,” some 75%` of American foreign aid consists, as in the case of virtually all military aid, of goods made or assembled in America by American workers in American factories. 

Additionally, the food we used to send overseas as USAID to feed starving millions is grown by American farmers who made their living selling it to the American government. 

The remaining 25% of foreign aid, loosely categorized as “Humanitarian Assistance,” is channeled through US-based agencies which work with a mix of nonprofits and local organizations to implement specific projects5. Most of this work is done by Americans as well.

True, there are cash disbursements. But these are not the norm and are scrutinized and monitored closely. The image that pallets of cash being loaded on Air Force transports is what constitutes American foreign aid is a Right-wing conspiratorial fantasy.

The fact is that T****’s isolationist, “America First” policies, will have a negative impact on both the American economy and our standing on the world stage. Besides, foreign aid spending accounts for about only about 1% of the U.S. budget. Eliminating all of it would have little effect on controlling spending or reducing the federal deficit. 

The MAGA’a who support T****s America First mantra insist  that our taxpayer dollars remain at home. And that is all well and good. But they are led to believe a false narrative.

Nor are they told that these gifts “From the American People” solidify our standing as the world’s great humanitarian leader and moral compass.  No other country in the world can come close.  Yet for lack of American USAID assistance, untold millions of people in other parts of the world will suffer an die. 

But Donald doesn’t care about any of that. All Donald really knows how to do is lie.. 

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