If many wars are caused by social problems, shouldn´t the US give social help instead of military assistance?

Question

What is the point of offering guns, when what people may need is education and food? An example: Colombia. Many of the problems in Colombia would be better tackled if the millions of dollars sent in military stuff were invested in assuring a diversification of the agricultural activities.

Answer 1

The reality is that the United States is one of the largest humanitarian underwriters in the world. In fact the U.S. spends more than any other nation to help fight AIDS in Africa, and the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) helps developing nations address problems like the resurgence in Malaria throughout the developing world.

With regard to why we opt to send weapons to some areas as opposed to development aid, keep in mind the areas being discussed. Columbia for example has a problem with violence related to the drug trade there. In addition the national policy of the United States regarding drug trafficing would make it difficult for the U.S. to issue aid money which may, in a worst case scenario, be used to produce narcotics as opposed to diversifing agricultural activites. Additionally, the Columbian government is independent and may not want the U.S. to engage in such activites within its borders. (e.g. some columbian farmers may not see the presence of the U.S. as a good thing and the safety of aid workers may not be easy to assure).

In the end the decision is made based on the problems to be solved and the way in which the government in question seeks our assistance in solving them. We offer aid as requested sometimes in the form of seed, and sometimes, unfortunately, in the form of arms.

Answer 2

The mainstream media is corrupt and is owned by the same people as the federal reserve. Do not believe the mainstream media. Look deeper for facts and answers, learn the truth about what are the real problems. Wake up! Do not contribute to your own oppresion. Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln Fought Against the Idea of a Central Bank. JFK passed a bill issuing Silver Certificates & was assassinated 5 months later, the bill was rescinded immediately upon his assassination by Lyndon Johnson. Ronald Reagan talked about the Federal Reserve being Corrupt but made no efforts to stop it.

Answer 3

Not all social problems are caused by poverty and hunger. In fact, poverty and hunger are only symptoms of social problems. There are also countries that suffer hunger because of unequal access to development goods caused by political strife and power tripping by the incumbents. The U.S. already pours in a lot of aid in education, poverty reducing programs, health care, and infrastructure. Different countries have different root causes of social problems and when the cause relates to injustice, sometimes the U.S. steps in, to the dismay or relief of some, to defend the defenseless.

Answer 4

It does. The U.S. has the Peace Corps, a few hospital ships that sail around the world giving aid, spends billions of dollars in debt forgiveness and is the worlds biggest consumer (to give poor areas jobs for the U.S. to buy).

Answer 5

The United States gives more money than almost the 2nd and third wealthiest countries combined. Money can't solve everything. Corrupt governments screw their citizens and the government and its citizens also lack responsibility and foresight, so you can pour money down the drain, it ain;t gonna help much.

Answer 6

Some wars may be caused by deprivations, but off hand I can't think of 1. Columbia's are caused by drug gangs.

Answer 7

Even when we give social assistance to Iraq they still try to kill us.

Answer 8

yes, but military assistance is MUCH more profitable to the US economy. So there we go....