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that they are, by far, the most aid giving country in this world when this is just not the case? USA ranks number 15. Also, much of it's aid is only given if the people receiving the aid will spend that aid on US product. This is no way to help people get on their feet and the aid then is pssed back to American companies.

http://www.cgdev.org/section/initiatives/_active/cdi/_country/united_states/

This is the same crap that USA's United Fruit Company in Guatamala. They hired local workers and paid them poverty wages that was in money which was only recognized at the company store. This meant that the farmers and people living outside of United Fruits got anything out of the company's being there. When the Guatamalan government wanted to change this the great giver of the US stepped in, engineered the downfall of the government, and backed up American Interests by "protecting United Fruits".

The same thing is true of much of the US "aid" "given" to impoverished countries

2007-03-18 13:50:30 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government Government

14 answers

Most Americans are oblivious to what's happening outside our country. That is why I'm going to travel the world when I'm out of college and probably not coming back, other than to visit my family and friends. Plus America is one of the most violent countries, and they say we're in the land of the free.

2007-03-18 14:00:52 · answer #1 · answered by Twilight Lover 3 · 3 5

Why do you care where America ranks in foreign aid? The rest of the left is screaming that we have no business in Iraq, that we should spend every freakin' penny of our tax money on education and domestic welfare, so you can blame the liberals in America for not spending on other countries. Also the index conveniently nets out a lot of stuff, not that there would be an agenda to make socialist European countries look better than us or anything. I mean, they just take all their citizens' wealth and redistribute it, so their GDP is pretty pitiful to begin with.

In the US, with our huge GDP, even massive amounts of aid don't register as well on your index.

And as far as how generous we are... I'd stack up our individual giving to charitable causes against anyone in the world. That's the beauty of capitalism and tax rate reductions: we get to make whatever we can make, and then give as we please.

2007-03-18 21:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by newbie 4 · 4 0

Well unless you are speaking to the President of the United States I would say that those Americans who are arrogantly telling you that we are by far the most aid giving country in the world are speaking of the individual Americans who are actually quite charitable. No one sees the individual American they tend to look at our government which may or may not represent an individual. I have my opinions about other countries but I see a difference between the government of that country and the individuals. Having said that Americans are arrogant but I was not aware that was a crime. Look at the other super powers, they all look similar...

2007-03-18 22:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by M B 5 · 1 1

The U.S. has actually moved up a spot or two since I last looked at the rankings. I believe we were at like number 18 or something back when I was taking my foreign policy classes. This is the same website my professor used.

Although we're about the richest country in the world, our giving of foreign aid leaves a lot to be desired. Thanks for bringing up a very good point!!!

2007-03-18 21:15:40 · answer #4 · answered by JoJo 4 · 1 2

What you linked is an index, not a gross total. The US is top in total giving, but is not as high in giving as a percentage of GDP.

It also states that the US is #3 in indexed individual giving, and I rather suspect that it's #1 in total money giving there as well.

2007-03-18 21:01:00 · answer #5 · answered by Teekno 7 · 3 0

I have found that alot of Americans believe their own publicity and unless the actively seek out information and knowledge about what is going on beyond their borders, they don't know or care.
The majority of the Americans I have met had no idea what the Commonwealth was. It makes me cringe.
I blame their schooling. I think there is so much emphasis on their own history that they have little knowledge on what the rest of the world has been up to.

2007-03-18 21:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by Meg D 3 · 1 3

I don't know where you got this link, but their figures are wrong! We give far too much to the likes of you and the countries that people like you live in. I would be more than willing to be 300th on the list rather than the 15 that you have on your list--or higher up which is closer to the truth. People like you are nothing but ingrates and I'm tired of helping you out with my hard earned money. In fact, you can keep your fruit and anything else that your country exports to the US and as far as Guatemalan fruit. I will be sure not to purchase any of it in the future.

2007-03-18 20:57:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3 4

Two American companies were recently fined for paying or 'bribing' the Paras (Para Military Forces of Colombia) to be able to 'operate' in areas controlled by said Paras. These same Paras are regarded by the US Govt as a 'terrorist organisation'. These self same Paras have been sending tons of cocaine to the US.
So, bottom line, American companies are 'indirectly' financing the drug trade, and get fined, anybody else that does that is thrown into prison forever.
'Rules' for Americans, and 'rules' for the rest of the world?

2007-03-18 21:02:56 · answer #8 · answered by Tokoloshimani 5 · 2 4

I guess the answer is that we Americans are simply the best. Everyone is jealous of us. I am so lucky to be born American. It would be sad to live somewhere else.

2007-03-18 21:00:01 · answer #9 · answered by Baby #1 born August 2009 6 · 3 2

Because they usually don't know any better. But, Americans do tend to be quite caring and they do give generously to "good causes".

2007-03-18 20:54:08 · answer #10 · answered by kobacker59 6 · 5 1

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