2011-March-7
I have an absolutely brilliant idea for aid organizations in the U.S. Go to the government, congress, and the president, and make a simple proposal. Propose that the government hold a referendum on how much of the U.S. budget should be devoted to foreign aid.
Many U.S. politicians whine on and on about what the American people want: well, here's your chance to put your money where your mouth is. Let's see what the American people want to do about foreign aid.
So let's ask the American voter: how much should we give to poor countries to help them out, as a percentage of the federal budget? The results will be binding upon the government. It will allocate the amount chosen by the tax-payers (either an average or plurality) for foreign aid, working through existing, reputable agencies, for the next four years. Say, offer a choice of a) 10%, b) 7%, C) 5%, D) 1%, E) less than 1%.
I am very sure that American aid agencies will benefit beyond their wildest imaginations! They will receive 10, 20 times what they normally receive. The world will be blessed.
You see, it is true that most Americans think that foreign aid should be cut. At this time of fiscal crisis, that's the first item on the list. Fair enough-- so what do you think it should be cut to? Well, first of all, how much do you think we spend right now? The answer might surprise you. The average American voter thinks the U.S. spends 10, 15% on foreign aid. They think that because, though they don't think of themselves as being that generous, they think those liberals in the government probably are, and they probably give too much. Twelve percent? Are you nuts? In this day and age? We got needs at home! We need to take care of our own first.
All right -- so how much do you think is the right amount? I would guess that they would find 5% pretty reasonable. That's not really very much for a wealthy country like the U.S. If U.S. citizens are suffering under this recession and under the relentless attacks on working Americans by the Republican Party, they are at least, generally not starving to death, as they are in the Sudan, Ethiopia, and even areas of Pakistan after the flooding this past year. Well, times are tough: maybe 4%.
So even if they chose 2%, the poor of the world rejoice.