Why does the U.S. help countrys that hate us?

Question

If most of the world hates us, why do we help their countries with food and money. Like if instead of giving other nations billions, we spend it on ourselves, when we have millions of people who are struggling and hungry.

I heard a story that kids in Columbia, after the U.S. gave them food, they started throwing rocks and stuff at our troops. Why do this? I don't want to get in the whole Iraq debate, but since we spent 500 Billion on the war, wouldn't that help out so much here, spent on schools, roads, and helping families who need it.

Answer 1

We don't really. Most Americans think we spend about 15% of our budget on foreign aid, the real number is about 1%, and that includes our State Department budget. Of that small amount of aid, almost all of it is in the form of food assistance, whereby we give them grants to buy food from American companies. So really, we're giving subsidies to US farmers.

If you're talking total aid (including military assistance) then there are obviously good reasons for us to spend money to prop up, say, the Israeli Army or currently, to give military assistance in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we're talking development assistance, then the breakdown in descending order goes like this: (05-06 numbers)
Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Jordan, Colombia, Palestinian Adm. areas, Uganda and Pakistan.

Compared to other countries, we give almost nothing as a percentage of our budget or Gross National Product. (currently, we are 22nd in terms of GNP.) The basic idea of giving nonmilitary aid to countries that aren't huge fans is that it's a very inexpensive way to make inroads into how they see America and Americans. You can give poor kids in Pakistan grain from the American Midwest for almost nothing...in fact, it helps the farmers there to do so, and maybe that kid having a full belly will be less likely to join a group that will feed him in exchange for his military loyalty against us. Also, just in terms of general development, if you help a country develop it's economy, it's more likely to buy good from your markets when it is able to do so.

Finally, whether people hate us or not, sometimes it's just the right thing to do. We shouldn't be looking at cutting our aid budget, we should be trying to find ways to increase it dramatically.

Answer 2

Its a good question and not one thats easy to answer. Being the worlds only superpower, we have some obligations to assist other countries in need. The scenario you just mentioned, about throwing rocks at troops can really upset you, but the truth of the matter is, those food drop offs are well known in advance, when they are going to happen and where. Think of it this way....when people who want to demonstrate find out the best place to be, to show their disdain for us, they show up, in this instance, the contact with any United States representative is rare, their only contact is with the troops who bring supplies and aid. Thats why the assholes show up to rain on the parade. Rest assured, that most of the people in that area dont feel that way. If you were someone who lived in Spain and watched demonstrators outside the White House, the perception is the country hates the current leadership, but the pictures are misleading. No matter who is in charge, there is always opposition, and showing pictures of ONLY the opposition can shape opinions that the leadership is bad. You can blame that on irresponsible media and bias.
I am convinced that no matter how much money we put into saving the poor, all that will do is create more poor people. If all you have to do is be poor, meet some criteria, how many people will meet that criteria to get a hand out? I know of alot of people who would do that. I know you didnt want to get into Iraq and I will keep that short, but we are nearing the end of our ability to keep pouring money into that. I was very supportive of it at first, but just as I said, the more we give, the more they are willing to take. I see signs they are willing to take charge and I think the balance in our government is really helping them get the message. We need that balance whether you are for or against the war, the Iraqi government knows there is tremendous pressure for them to take charge and do it as fast as possible.
Hope that helps.
D@N

Answer 3

Why are our troops in Columbia? Nobody likes armed uninvited guests, who won't leave. sometimes I don't even like the ones I do invite. Few people hate Americans but many hate the US government. US gov. has never given without getting in return only NGO's give without expectations.

Answer 4

The US stands up to do what is right. It's one of the many reasons that I consider us one of the greatest nations on Earth.

I know things like that happen, though. We dropped Humanitarian Assistance in a Baghdad neighborhood and then fought our way out. However, that act was not forgotten by the people and we have had a great relationship ever since. There hasn't been a firefight in there since, until recently but that's due to other reasons...

Sometimes, it's more important to do the right thing than to worry about what you're going to get out of it. One thing about it, though, if you do it too much, you create a welfare state. It's good to help, but teach them to take care of themselves, too.

Answer 5

well... some think it's immoral to not help if "extreme help" is needed, regarudless of politics... and a lot of countries are in pretty bad shape..

Even Cuba offered to send doctors to the U.S. during Katrina...

and also... some do hate us... but most don't... most just disagree with us on a few issues... it's not hate... frustrated maybe...

Answer 6

US has the good intention of helping other countries even when its people hate Americans. As the saying goes, "It is better to give than to receive".

Answer 7

well, it's being done to improve the way the world sees and looks at the U.S.

Answer 8

In hopes that when we need help, they'll provide. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Answer 9

in this respect, we are our own worst enemy.