Medicine
Lodge High School
Medicine
Lodge, Kansas
Teachers:
Devra Parker and Steve Germes
America’s
Children
By
Daycie Winborne
12th
Grade
A
man slowly writes out a check for five hundred dollars. This check will be the
only bill he pays this month, for his debt is a struggle too hard to face. The
money will be sent to an organization that feeds starving children in Africa.
This year he decided to almost double his contribution. Playing in the room
next to him are ten starving children whom he has turned his back on while
signing the large payment. Later that night the man slumbers soundly while his
children cry because of their hunger when trying to fall asleep.
To
most, the previous story would seem extremely unrealistic. The idea of paying
money one does not even have to support other children when their own are
starving is unfathomable, but, in reality, this is exactly what the United
States of America is doing today. Because of the fact that millions of
children in America go hungry everyday, I believe that we cannot afford to
increase our financial aid. It is crucial that we remember America is in debt,
and some of our own people are starving and homeless.
Debt
is a term Americans are familiar with because we all have experienced it.
Whether a person has owed a debt to us, or we owe one to someone else, debt is
real. Not only are the citizens of this country in debt, so is our nation.
After September 11, 2001, our nation has accumulated almost seven trillion
dollars in debt. In addition, since the war in Iraq, President Bush has called
for over 87 billion more dollars to rebuild in the Middle East. By increasing
our foreign aid, I believe we are spending money we do not have. On the
contrary, I do not believe we should totally eliminate foreign aid, and I do
think that the Millennium Challenge Account is a step in the right direction.
It is important that we know our money is going to develop countries so that
the world will gain from the foreign aid we give. I believe we should redirect
the aid we already contribute to the cause of the MCA.
“What
most Americans do not realize is that the vast majority of the recipients of
the of US Foreign Aid routinely vote against the wishes of the United States
in the United Nations at an average rate of 74%.” Also, in some cases when
foreign aid is given, it causes discrepancies in the agricultural markets of
those countries, which in essence does not help them at all. By contributing
our foreign aid to the Millennium Challenge Account, I think we could rest
assured our contributions are going to a worthy cause that will help us in the
long run.
According
to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, throughout the past
year, over three million men, women, and children were homeless. In 1995, the
demand for shelter increased by 11%, and these numbers are still rapidly
growing. “There are 35 million poor persons in America including 14 million
children.” Millions of families have to use food stamps and visit local food
banks throughout the year. Among these are also millions of children who
qualify for free or discounted school meals because of their family’s
income.
The
Children’s Defense Fund reports that nearly 502,000 families with children
under the age of 18 were unemployed last year, a number 171 percent higher
than two years ago. “Research shows that children of families that sustain
substantial income losses are more likely to perform poorly in school and
complete fewer years of education.” This fact is somewhat disturbing since
these children are the future workers of America, which causes our future
economical state to look less promising, but it is exactly the reason why we
need to invest our money in the children of our country. They are the next
generation of the United States, and what will foreign aid gain us if our
future is bleak to begin with?
Children in America deserve our support. It is our responsibility to take care of our country first and foremost. We cannot stand back and let our children hunger and live in poverty while increasing our foreign aid. Unlike the man mentioned previously, we should take care of our debt then support our fellow citizens, America’s children, before increasing our contributions to other nations. Right now we are in a state of economic despair which should be dealt with, and after that we should consider increasing our aid to help foreign countries.
Questions
Q1-
President Bush claimed that most funds for development do not come from
international aid. He mentions three things that do fund development. What are
they?
A1-
Three things that fund development are domestic capital, foreign investment,
and trade.
Q2-
President Bush reminded his audience that successful development in a third
world country requires more than funds. What two items did he mention in this
regard?
A2-Two
items other than funds needed for development in third world countries are
good government which includes sound economic policies, and healthy and
educated citizens.
Q3-
When is money sometimes counterproductive, according to President Bush?
A3-
Money is sometimes counterproductive when nations refuse to enact sound
policies because it subsidizes bad policies, delays reform, and crowds out
private investment.
Q4-
Describe the Millennium Challenge Account and include in your description what
is anticipated from donors and recipients.
A4-
The Millenium Challenge Account is an account in which rich nations contribute
money to assist developing nations. Greater
contributions from the rich nations will require a greater responsibility from
the developing nations. The
account will be used to expand the fight against AIDS, bring computer
instruction to young professionals, assist African businesses and their people
to sell goods abroad, and proved text books and training to students in
Islamic and African countries. It
will apply the power of science and technology to increase harvests where
hunger is greatest. In turn,
these nations must adopt the reforms and policies that make development
effective and lasting.
Q5-
What are the three broad standards that President Bush expects the leaders of
the developing nations to adopt?
A5-
Three broad standards that are expected of developing nations to adopt are
ruling justly, investing in their people, and encouraging economic freedom.
Q6-
Describe President Bush’s challenge to development banks and explain why or
why not you favor it.
A6-
President Bush challenged the development banks to provide up to half of the
funds devoted to poor nations in the form of grants, rather than loans in
order to stop debt. I believe
President Bush’s approach to ending debt is just what the world needs.
Numerous people in America and all over the world live in debt, and
nations should provide an example of debt-free living.
Q7-
What percentage of our national income (GNP) do
you think the United States government committed to foreign aid in 2002?
First answer this question and then
use the Internet to find the answer.
A7-
I think the United States government committed 8% of our national income to
foreign aid in 2002. The actual
amount was .1%.
Q8-
Describe and defend a “Me First” attitude. (Use your head ¾ you won’t
find the answer in the required reading.)
A8-
A “Me First” attitude requires taking care of our own nation’s debt and
problems with hunger before giving our money to other countries to solve their
problems. After we have
eliminated America’s struggles, then we need to give the amounts of money to
other countries’ needs before we tell other nations to do the same.
Meaning we take care of our problems first and also give first.
Q9-
Describe and defend a “Mutual Benefit” attitude. (Use your head ¾ you
won’t find the answer in the required reading.)
A9-
A “mutual benefit” attitude involves helping other nations so that we will
also be helped. It is an attitude
of working together for the common good of everyone- not just ourselves.
Q10-
Describe three unsuccessful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S.
government or private American citizens. (Do not use the programs discussed in
the testimony of Faith Action for People-Centered Development Policy included
in your required reading. Conduct research using the Internet. Duplicate
examples from the same class will not be accepted.)
A10-
World Vision is an example of an unsuccessful foreign aid program.
Looking at their website, they give no examples of feeding hungry
children or developing countries. Also,
they have a deficit of money. Food for Peace seems successful in that they
provide food to foreign countries, but in all actuality, the food they provide
interrupts the local agricultural market.
Finally, the U.S. Agency for International Development admits that only
a handful of countries that started receiving U.S. assistance have ever
graduated from the dependent status.
Q11-
Describe three successful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S.
government or private American citizens. (Do not use the programs discussed in
the testimony of Faith Action for People-Centered Development Policy included
in your required reading. Conduct research using the Internet. Duplicate
examples from the same class will not be accepted.)
A11-
The International Cooperation and Development Program provides “humanitarian
aid to international refugees or countries suffering from natural
disasters.” When hurricane
Mitch hit Nicaragua, this program provided fast reaction and assistance.
The United Nations Children’s Fund is another positive form of
foreign aid. It provides
education, immunizations, child protection, HIV/AIDS prevention, and early
childhood programs. Feed the
Children also provides foreign aid in the form of food to other countries.
They also recently built the ABC Children’s Center in Africa.
Q12-
Steve Radelet, Senior Fellow at the Center for
Global Development, believes we can do both ¾ take care of our own people and
lend a helping hand to citizens of less developed countries. Explain why you
think we can or cannot offer aid to both.
A12-
I believe that the majority of money should be concentrated on solving
America’s problems, but I believe it would be a mistake to totally cut off
our support of other nations. It
is crucial that America works on getting out of debt and solving our hunger
and unemployment dilemma, but it would be dangerous to completely isolate
ourselves from the rest of the world, especially for the sake of security.
Because Americans are not the only people, it is important we support
the common good of man.
Q13-
What do you think about Mr. Radelet’s assertion
that “the administration is leaning towards a system in which eligible
countries would write proposals (or business plans) describing their
objectives and strategy, how they would use the money, the benchmarks used for
evaluation. Giving recipient countries this responsibility is a revolutionary
change in US foreign assistance.”?
A13-
This “application process” is an extremely important step in foreign aid.
The purpose of giving the money to other nations is so that they can
develop and become stronger so we need to make sure they use the money for
those objectives. I believe the
money should be given in allotted amounts which could cease being given if not
used efficiently.
Q14-
Which of Mr. Radelet’s three concerns regarding
the MCA concerns you and why?
1.
as
more countries in this income range become eligible, there will be fewer MCA
funds available for the poorest countries that are implementing sound
development strategies.
2.
the
make-or-break requirement may unnecessarily eliminate some countries.
3.
the
separation of US foreign assistance into two agencies could lead to a lack of
coordination and overlapping functions.
A14-
The possibility that as more countries in the income range become eligible,
there will be fewer MCA funds available for the poorest countries that are
implementing sound development strategies is the biggest concern.
We do not want our money to be spread so thin that it does not
accomplish our goals. The
solution to this problem could be to lower the required income so that only
countries in desperate need receive funds.
Q15-
There is evidence of an increase in negative world opinion towards U.S.
foreign policy, not necessarily the American people. To counter this negative
perception of the U.S. some people want the U.S. to concentrate more on
weapons of mass assistance (WMA) and less on weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Please comment.
A15-
In order to concentrate on weapons of mass assistance, it is required that we
also concentrate on weapons of mass destruction.
We have to protect our freedoms and the American people in order to be
able to give assistance to other countries.
Therefore, it is important to do both simultaneously.
Q16-
What does the World Bank recommend as the United State’s “just and
appropriate share” to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015? Do you
think our citizens can afford that kind of increase? Defend your views.
A16-
The World Bank recommends an additional $10-$15 billion annually to reach the
Millenium Development goals by 2015. No,
the American people and government are already billions of dollars in debt.
Also, many citizens are experiencing unemployment.
Q17-
What do you think about the request of Faith Action for People Centered
Development Policy’s request that tax dollars be used to fund, not only
government-sponsored foreign aid programs, but “that funds also go to NGOs
and grassroots organizations.”?
A17-
I think it would be foolish to just hand the funds to non-governmental
organizations. It is important
that we make sure of exactly what our money is funding.
When money is given to NGO’s and grassroot
organizations, we should first know it would be used properly.
Q18-
How many countries would be affected positively by health-related investments
according to the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH)?
A18-
Eighty-three countries would be positively affected by health-related
investments.
Q19-
According to the CMH, how much would be gained annually between 2015-2020 due
to saved lives and increased economic growth, if an increased investment were
made in global AIDS and other health services?
A19-
Between 2015 and 2020, $360 billion would be gained annually due to lives
saved and increased economic growth.
Q20-
Use the Internet for your research and name the two congressmen who introduced
H.R. 4524. Give a 2-line synopsis of that bill.
A20-
Christopher Smith and John LaFalce introduced H.R. 4524.
This bill substantially increases resources available for human
development and poverty reduction in heavily indebted poor countries. It
encourages the Secretary of Treasury to immediately start work with creditors
to reduce debt.