Medicine Lodge High School
Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Teachers:  Devra Parker and Steve Germes

 

Giving to Gain
By Natasha Wright
12^th Grade

 

Pretend you have two neighbors, one to your right, and one to your left.  Now, let's say that the neighbor on the right is a low-income family struggling to feed their children.  Your neighbor on the left, however, is middle-class and has ample money for their needs.  You have just been granted an extra sum of money, and you decide to help one of your neighbors.  But, which one do you choose? The neighbor on the right?  That would be my choice. Sadly, however, this is not the choice of the U.S. government when it comes to foreign aid.

Many people do not believe in the concept of foreign aid, stating that the United States "wastes" too much money on the well being of others.  What we tend to forget, however, is that these other countries contain human beings who are our neighbors, even if they are not next door. I believe that the critics are partly correct, however, in calling this money a waste.  Often when we think of foreign aid, we think of the disturbing picture of little girls and boys in Africa, tromping through disease-ridden streets and hungrily searching through the rubbish for any parcel that could be their next meal.  What we do not know, however, is that much, if we could call it much, of the .1% of the United State's budget that is spent on foreign aid is sent to countries who are financially secure.  "Why do they get this money?" you astonishingly question.  The answer is simple: politics.

Politics?  Yes, politics.  While this is a very important aspect of our country's well being, should it take food from the mouths of starving children?  The answer is no.  America spends an estimated $3 billion a year on Egypt and Israel, while AIDS-infested regions like Africa only receive a minute $737 million.  Despite the fact that this may seem like a large sum of money, this total dwindles even more when it is discovered that much of this "AIDS relief" goes to the purchase of condoms instead of proper medical and educational care.  Despite our attempt to help, it seems that we are giving cheaply and only for the point of bettering our image.

To spread the burn of misused foreign aid, it can be discovered that much of this aid is actually harmful to the governments that it supposedly helps.  Because of strict trade regulations imposed by the United States, poor nations are often impeded from participating in the international marketplace. Also, this aid frequently proceeds to the corrupt governments of countries with brutal dictators who rob their people, and ultimately eases the pressure on these regimes to reform.  In other cases, it has been used to create inefficient state-led programs and has hindered economic growth. The cold reality of whether or not someone receives aid boils down to one question: Is it beneficial to us?

While I am not rebuking the idea of foreign aid, nor am I attempting to defile the government that we reside under, I am driving home one point: the money that we spend on foreign aid should be used more efficiently.  Fortunately, according to the Millenium Challenge Account, it appears that it will be. 

In this action, only countries that uphold human rights and show good governance will be able to apply for aid.  Also, they must provide health and improved education to their people, as well as obtain sound economic policies to better the lives of their citizens. I believe this to be an important step in the right direction that will hopefully once and for all cut the ties between us and the brutal regimes of the world. By upholding our commitment to foreign aid and by following the guidelines of this account, we may finally be able to make a dynamic and charitable impact on the world around us and not just give to receive benefits in return.

Thus, the concept of foreign aid is one that is widely disputed throughout our nation.  While many people state that we should only be concerned with ourselves, could they look into the face of a starving little girl and deny her the privilege of a bite to eat?  I think not.  Even though it may be costly, it is our moral duty to protect those that cannot protect themselves.  We are fortunate to grow up in the nation where we live, and should not penalize others for not having the privilege to do so.  When it comes to foreign aid, we must all remember one point: it could easily have been us.

 

Questions

Q 1.    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?

A.  The three items that fund development are domestic capital, foreign investment, and, most of all, trade.

Q 2.  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?

A.  Besides needing financing, the development of a third world country also needs education and health care in order to be successful.

Q 3.  When is money sometimes counterproductive, according to President Bush?  

A.  Money can actually be counterproductive if it subsidizes bad policies, delays reform, and crowds out private investment.

Q 4.  Describe the Millennium Challenge Account and include in your description what is anticipated from donors and recipients.

A.  In the Millennium Challenge Account, among other efforts, the fight against AIDS will be expanded.  Also, computer instruction will be brought to professionals in developing nations, African businesses will be aided in selling goods abroad, textbooks and training to students in Islamic and African countries will be provided, and the power of science and technology will be applied to increase harvests where hunger is greatest.  The goal of the donors is to provide people in developing nations with the tools they need to seize the opportunities of the global economy.  In return for this commitment from the U.S., the recipients are expected to adopt reforms and policies that make development effective and lasting.

 

Q 5.  What are the three broad standards that President Bush expects the leaders of the developing nations to adopt?  

A.  President Bush expects leaders of developing nations to rule justly, invest in their people in education and health, and to encourage economic freedom.

 

Q 6.  Describe President Bush’s challenge to development banks and explain why or why not you favor it.

A.  President Bush challenges development banks to provide up to half of the funds devoted to poor nations in the form of grants, rather than loans.  I think that this is a good idea since these third world countries have very little money, and have enough debt to repay as it is.

 

Q 7.   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.

A.  Originally, I guessed that the United States spent 13% of their GNP on foreign aid.  After researching, however, I found that we spend only .1%.
 

Q 8.  Describe and defend a "Me First" attitude.

A.  I believe that people who defend a "Me First" attitude believe in only looking out for the interests of people in the U.S.  In some ways it makes sense, as many of our own people are homeless and starving, and could use more aid than what they are already receiving,.

Q 9.  Describe and defend a "Mutual Benefit" attitude.

A.  People who defend a "Mutual Benefit" attitude believe that by helping other nations we are also helping ourselves.  This attitude also makes since because by helping other nations we make more alliances, creating less enemies and further protecting our homeland security.

Q 10.   Describe three unsuccessful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens.

A.  First of all, I believe that our aid to Israel is unsuccessful.  While I believe that we should keep an alliance with them, I also believe that the money we give should be given to countries who are less financially secure.  Also, I believe that our aid to Egypt is unsuccessful.  Like with Israel, Egypt is much better off financially than AIDS-infested countries like Africa.  Lastly, I believe that some of the aid that we allot to Africa is unsuccessful.  While I wholly believe in assisting the African people, I detest the fact that much of the money for AIDS relief is provided in the form of condoms instead of education.

 

Q 11.  Describe three successful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens.

A.  To begin, with the exception of some aspects, I believe that our aid to Africa is successful.  This AIDS-infested region sadly contains 70 percent of the global caseload of HIV-infected people, and if not dealt with could spread even further.  Another program that I believe is successful is Save the Children.  This organization works to provide life-saving immunizations to children, as well as to build schools and train teachers to give them a chance at a better future.  Lastly, I believe that World Vision is a successful program.  This organization works to provide food, water, and blankets to unfortunate families, as well as to provide urgent medical care for the population of Monrovia.

 

Q 12.  Steve Radelet, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, believes we can do both, 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.

A.  I believe that we can do both, but we must have our priorities straight first.  We should offer aid to other countries, but before we do this, we must first offer aid to people in our own country.

 

Q 13.  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?

A.  I think that this is a good idea because under this plan we can evaluate who needs the money the most, and also can be sure that the money goes where it is supposed to.

 

Q 14.  Which  of Mr. Radelet’s three concerns regarding the MCA concerns you and why?

A.  I am most concerned about the fact that there are two different foreign assistance programs.  If a lack of communication would occur between the two, there is a chance that people who need the money the most would miss out on valuable aid, while others who are not in so much need might receive more than their share.

Q 15.  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.

A.  I believe that if we concentrate more on Weapons of Mass Assistance, we will be able to reinforce our alliances with other countries, thus reducing our need for Weapons of Mass Destruction.  However, due to recent attacks on our homeland security, it would be wise to maintain our production and maintenance of these Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Q 16.  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.

A.  The World Bank recommends that the United States should give an additional $10-$15 billion dollars to the Millennium Development Goal.  I believe that the citizens of the United States could afford this additional contribution to foreign aid, but also that we should not be expected to give it.  Instead, I believe that we should use the money donated to foreign aid more wisely.

Q 17.  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.”?

A.  I think that the government should help these non-governmental organizations, but that the government -endowed money should be carefully monitored to make sure that it is used effectively.  

Q 18.  How many countries would be affected positively by health-related investments according to the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH)?

A.  According to this commission, 83 countries would benefit because of these investments.

Q 19.  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?

A.  According to the CMH, $360 billion would be gained annually.  

Q 20.  Use the Internet for your research and name the two congressman who introduced H.R. 4524.  Give a 2-line synopsis of that bill.

A.    Christopher Smith of New Jersey and John LaFalce of New York introduced this “Debt Relief Enhancement Act of 2002”. This act was created to release the burden of highly indebted countries.  Its main goal, however, is to fight AIDS/HIV through human development.

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