Why is the US so stingy when it comes to foreign aid?

Question

As a ratio to their wealth (GNP) America is one of the stingiest when it comes to foreign aid:

http://www.godweb.org/stingy2.htm


And don't forget America has got so rich because it is a country rich in natural resources stolen (with much bloodshed) from the natives.

OECD figures

You've never saved us. You came into the wars late- we would have won them without you.

And you engage in trade for yourselves-why don't you do something without considering self interest?

Answer 1

You are not stingy. They actually give more than most countries put together. It's just that they give to the wrong people, Israel for example. To buy American-made weapons. Very clever! Or is it?

Answer 2

Dude, we give more foreign aid than any two countries combined. And it seems to me that you are pretty rude to be angry at a country for not giving more charity. How much charity has YOUR native country given to others? I am guessing not so much.
Yes, America does have a lot of natural resources, but we also work our butts off and work to make those resources work for us. We earned the money, and have every right to send money only to those places where it will do the most good for both our country and the country receiving the FREE money and aid.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean by foriegn aid. If you include foriegn trade (giving 100s of millions of people jobs), tourism (more jobs) and joint defense (so allies can have small armies with the U.S. paying for their defense), the U.S. easily shoots past every other country combined.

There are more "native" Americans now than when Columbus came over. That's because they are now getting better health care and have a trusted food supplies. This is not true in Latin America, where many natives were hunted to extinction.

Answer 4

Why should we share our wealth (which between our government, private citizens, and private companies amounts to way more than anyone else!) when all the rest of the world does is bash us? They don't bash us when the need an invader ejected and someone else to die to save them, do they? And the rest of the world loves our markets and our dollar doesn't it? Take away the U.S. and what happens to the world economy? How many more poor would there be? Not a very thought out point you're trying to make.

Answer 5

So much of the foreign aid we have given in the past has ended up in some despot's hands that eventually used it either to kill more of his own people or against the US.

In addition, your statistics do not take into account all of the charitable contributions Americans made privately because they know their government does a bad job ensuring that their money is used properly.

Answer 6

Shut up fag,we give more than any other country.We cant help it if we got so much damn money it seems like we are not giving a fair share of OUR money to third world countries who wont get up off their butts and do something.AAnd as far as the native thing goes,shut up again and move on.

Answer 7

The US is not so different from developing countries any more. Our resources, timber, oil and mining rights are being sold at bargain prices and we have a tremendous debt burden. The chickens have come home to roost.

Answer 8

This country has some of the same problems that the foreign aid is dealing with in other countries.How about some "America aid"?

Answer 9

Why should we provide Foreign aid to country's that dint support us. Not many countries supported us in the Iraq War

Answer 10

You're kidding right, we give more than most all countries combined give me a break. Plus the American people are the most generous in the world. You can make statistics say anything you want if you try hard enough.