Should the U.S. provide foreign aid?

[ProSense]

Egyptians are rising up against their government. The most important thing isn't whether or not the subsequent government is more or less friendly to the U.S. I bet it doesn't matter one way or another to the Egyptians as long as the government is better than Mubarak's.

The people of other countries likely don't elect their leaders based on which of them is going like the U.S.

Whenever the next leader of Egypt emerges, the U.S. is going to have to deal with that government, like it or not. There are many examples of this exact scenario.

The reaction to Egypt in the U.S. is all over the place: stay neutral, pick sides, cut aid, don't cut aid.

When the U.S. doesn't provide aid, it's accused of not supporting fledgling democracies or neglecting world hunger. When the U.S. does provide aid, it's accused of supporting dictators.

Obama Administration Cut Funding To Promote Democracy In Egypt, Disappointing Human Rights Activists

<...>

In its first year, the Obama administration cut funding for democracy and governance programming in Egypt by more than half, from $50 million in 2008 to $20 million in 2009 (Congress later appropriated another $5 million). The level of funding for civil society programs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was cut disproportionately, from $32 million to only $7 million. Though funding levels for 2010 are not yet available, they are expected to show an increase to $14 million, says Stephen McInerny, the director of advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy. He notes that the Bush administration slashed economic aid to Egypt in the 2009 budget but kept the funding for democracy and governance programs constant, while Obama cut funding to those programs in an effort to make the cuts more proportional and under pressure from the American embassy in Cairo.

<...>

Foreign aid is with not synonymous with military aid.

[Make7]

1. If it this is an all or nothing kind of question, I would vote for no foreign aid.

Historically speaking, the foreign aid dispensed by the United States has done far more harm than good. That is not to say that foreign aid couldn't be used in a constructive manner, it just seems as though that is not the primary goal as things currently stand.
 

[ProSense]

2. It's never all or nothing, and the

goal should be, as you stated, "that foreign aid couldn't be used in a constructive manner."

[jeanpalmer]

3. "it's accused of supporting dictators"

In this case, it's supporting a dictator. No question about it. Everyone knows it, except Biden apparently. It's time for Obama to acknowledge reality. Step up and be on the leading edge. Help these people out. He's pissing away an opportunity.

[ProSense]

4. "Help these people out."

How?

[jeanpalmer]

5. Don't give the dictator any support

Support the people. Just tell Mubarrak to GTF out. Everyone knows he's a sadistic dictator, torturer, despot. Don't support him. Why is he equivocating with regard to a torturer/dictator? If he were to put the word out that the US no longer supports him, he'd be on a plane to Saudi Arabia. His family has already fled.

[ProSense]

6. "Support the people. " What does that mean?

What do you want him to do, specifically?


"Just tell Mubarrak to GTF out."

And if Mubarak doesn't comply, then what?

[jeanpalmer]

7. Then ratchet up the pressure

cut off the aid, cut off recognition, condemn him for use of excessive force. Get Europe to do the same thing. There are all kinds of steps he can take to get him to leave. The main thing is, make our position clear -- we want the dictator gone. The people of Egypt would be grateful. Threaten to bomb the mofo like he does Iran. Send in an assassination team, like he does in Yemen and Afghanistan. Send in drones like he does in Pakistan. There are so many options, for someone who has some courage.

[stevenleser]

8. "Threaten to bomb...send assassination team..."

Yeah, great stuff there, particularly from someone constantly saying Obama isn't progressive enough.

[jeanpalmer]

9. Isn't he a terrorist

to his own people? What's the solution Obama applies to other terroroists, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia? He put out a hit on an American citizen. Why not Mubarrak?

[ProSense]

10. So terrorists only exists when you want them to?

Do you think Bush was right to invade Iraq to get rid of Saddam?

[BobbyBoring]

11. And they hate us

For our freedom....................

No, they hate us for our meddling.

We have spent billions of dollars propping up "Friendly" dictatorships in the ME for far too long. GWB jacked off Musharraf for how long?

Our position has never been clear in the ME. We vacillate back and forth like jellyfish. Sending in an assassination team could have disastrous effects. Maybe a new Islamic republic??

Bottom line is, we need to get the fuck out of the ME. If Israel goes down, so be it~

[Pisces]

12. They are helping thru the CIA. Money is getting to people on the ground.

We cannot do it in the open and anger other muslim nations on the brink of protests. Politics is a tricky business and we the public will never know the truth wikileaks or not.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. A social democracy in Egypt would be nice - with elections!

Mubarak is past his sell by date! However, the country could be taken over by Islamic fanatics? Egyptians tend to be extremely clever though - in an democratic system they might get a reasonable government instead of being told what to do all the time.

[golfguru]

14. No, the Foreigners should provide aid to the US because we

owe more money to foreigners than any nation in history of earth.
And we have the highest national debt of any nation in history of earth.

[ProSense]

15. Does that make sense? n/t