20 Aug 12
1 edit
The ratio that matters is debt to revenue.
Hmm. How can we improve such a ratio?
Well, we can try to reduce debt. How do we reduce debt? We need revenue.
Or we can increase revenue. Sounds like both ends of this "ratio that matters" are requiring higher taxes.
You think Romney/Ryan can improve that ratio with their plans to cut taxes?
20 Aug 12
Originally posted by AThousandYoungU.S. foreign aid has a variety of goals. Among them, lifting people out of poverty, promoting democracy and economic stability worldwide, and bolstering strategic alliances. According to the government’s user-friendly Web site, www.foreignassistance.gov, Uncle Sam doles out “more than $58 billion a year in foreign assistance through more than 20 agencies.” More than half of that, roughly $37 billion, is managed by the State Department and USAID.The ratio that matters is debt to revenue.
Hmm. How can we improve such a ratio?
Well, we can try to reduce debt. How do we reduce debt? We need revenue.
Or we can increase revenue. Sounds like both ends of this "ratio that matters" are requiring higher taxes.
You think Romney/Ryan can improve that ratio with their plans to cut taxes?
You may be surprised to learn that most countries outside of Western Europe, Canada and Australia get foreign aid from the U.S. This year the requested amount for Russia was $68.7 million. For China, it’s $12.9 million. A whopping $647.7 million has been allocated for Nigeria. Even $20 million is set aside for communist Cuba. Again, these figures are the requested amounts for 2011–Congress is still trying to figure out how much to spend during the current fiscal year–and they only include aid to be managed by State and USAID. They don’t include money that finds its way into these countries through U.S. regional foreign assistance offices or offices that deal with specific issues like health or agriculture.
Start by doing a gut check on this...... a total review of all aid doled out..has to be some savings there.
Those shovel ready jobs we were promised seem to have disappeared...? But the bridges here in Oregon are in terrible shape, so where are the jobs? .. upgrade the power grid? We need people working and paying taxes again... a sore spot with the Liberals,, but that pipe line should be heading south.... the economies in the Dakotas are doing quite well.... drilling on privately owned land?
Jobs, jobs and more jobs....and some responsible spending cuts... what's up with aid to China and Russia? CUT it...
20 Aug 12
Originally posted by AThousandYounghaven't seen their plan to cut taxes.....The ratio that matters is debt to revenue.
Hmm. How can we improve such a ratio?
Well, we can try to reduce debt. How do we reduce debt? We need revenue.
Or we can increase revenue. Sounds like both ends of this "ratio that matters" are requiring higher taxes.
You think Romney/Ryan can improve that ratio with their plans to cut taxes?
20 Aug 12
1 edit
In China and Nigeria, more than half of the requested budget for foreign aid to those countries is aimed at helping those countries fight HIV/AIDS.
ouch, so we borrow money from China, then turn around and give it back so they can fight AIDS....... that sounds screwed up. Review all aid packages....
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by Hugh GlassA large percentage of 'foreign aid' actually returns to the donor country. This is especially the case when it is governmental aid. Usually at least half the funds go to pay salaries of employees from the home country.
U.S. foreign aid has a variety of goals. Among them, lifting people out of poverty, promoting democracy and economic stability worldwide, and bolstering strategic alliances.
You are also incorrect about 'promoting democracy and economic stability worldwide' as the US is often involved in deliberately destabilizing regions and aid is one of the tools they use to do this. They also frequently do not promote democracy - but rather promote american style politics which consists of bank rolling your preferred candidate into power (not democracy in my book).
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by Hugh GlassAnd you will probably find that much of that money is used buying overpriced drugs from US companies - and the real purpose for doing so is to stop generics from India and Brazil.
In China and Nigeria, more than half of the requested budget for foreign aid to those countries is aimed at helping those countries fight HIV/AIDS.
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by Hugh GlassThe US government gives out money to everone it can. Forieng countries, the rich through corporate welfare, the poor through welfare etc. In fact, if we found alien life in the universe they would probably try to buy them off as well. All they ask is for our submission. Is it too much to ask?
U.S. foreign aid has a variety of goals. Among them, lifting people out of poverty, promoting democracy and economic stability worldwide, and bolstering strategic alliances. According to the government’s user-friendly Web site, www.foreignassistance.gov, Uncle Sam doles out “more than $58 billion a year in foreign assistance through more than 20 agencies. ...[text shortened]... jobs....and some responsible spending cuts... what's up with aid to China and Russia? CUT it...
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by whodeyIn fact, according to Wikipedia, “only about one fifth of U.S. aid goes to countries classified by the OECD as ‘least developed.’". In other words, they strongly prefer giving to the rich.
The US government gives out money to everone it can. Forieng countries, the rich through corporate welfare, the poor through welfare etc.
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by twhiteheadBecause they depend on the rich to keep them in power.
In fact, according to Wikipedia, “only about one fifth of U.S. aid goes to countries classified by the OECD as ‘least developed.’". In other words, they strongly prefer giving to the rich.
Both parites do it.
21 Aug 12
Originally posted by Hugh GlassSo you want to "help people here"... but then, when a possible means of doing so (bailing out homeowners in default in California) becomes apparent, you refuse to do that to.
anyway, stop giving it out.. why not help people here...?? it looks like we will bail out most of the homeowners in default in CA now,, what gives, let them fail..
Anyway, foreign aid is a long-term investment. A friend of mine went to Kenya recently and said that it was full of development projects sponsored by Saudi Arabia during the last few years. Which would you rather spread in Africa: Salafism, or liberal democracy? If the former, you're going the right way about it by encouraging Western governments to cut their aid budgets.
22 Aug 12
Originally posted by Hugh GlassNiall Ferguson isn't some right wing radical, and Newsweek isn't Fox News. When you run on hope and change, and the changes leave little hope, it is time to go.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/08/19/niall-ferguson-on-why-barack-obama-needs-to-go.html
right on now..
22 Aug 12
Originally posted by AThousandYoung"Hmm. How can we improve such a ratio?"The ratio that matters is debt to revenue.
Hmm. How can we improve such a ratio?
Well, we can try to reduce debt. How do we reduce debt? We need revenue.
Or we can increase revenue. Sounds like both ends of this "ratio that matters" are requiring higher taxes.
You think Romney/Ryan can improve that ratio with their plans to cut taxes?
Two possibilities, increase revenue, or decrease spending. The truth is that both need to be used, but revenue is increased in two ways.
1. Increase taxes, and further depress the economy without getting any appreciable new revenue perhaps even none, or
2. grow the economy which will produce more revenue. Instead of stimulating the economy by giving away billions to boondoggles you like, just let the people who earned it keep more.
Along with economic growth, limiting or cutting spending has to be done anyway. How is any budget going to be in control and balanced, with built in spending increases of baseline budgeting. When reduced increases can be labeled cuts, we are lost.