Should America stop providing foreign aid?

Mark (No)

Providing aid to foreign countries is an American institution and should be indefinitely upheld. Many critics of foreign aid fail to realize that it accounts for less than 1% of the annual trillion-dollar budget. Previous campaigns have been fueled by targeting foreign aid assistance as wasted tax dollars, but that is simply erroneous. In this century alone, foreign aid has saved around six million lives by preventing the spread of malaria. Without assisting third-world countries, the threat of disease reaching our borders increases significantly. 

Additionally, extremist regimes are often the result of severe impoverishment and poor living conditions. Therefore, foreign aid goes a long way in reducing the threat of global terrorism. If foreign aid were to be reduced or done away with altogether, it would likely result in a greater potential for conflict with other nations. Therefore, foreign aid goes a long way in preventing wars. The US only serves to positively enhance our reputation by maintaining diplomatic and, in many cases, altruistic relations with other countries.

The US enhances its national security by offering foreign aid, as countries that receive this aid are less likely to jeopardize crucial US resources and interests. It’s quite honestly what foreign aid prevents rather than who it benefits that Americans should be most concerned about. However, building relationships with other nations can positively impact our economy. Our distribution to other countries often returns to America through industry and business. As a global leader, America must continue to act by example, and foreign aid achieves that in multitudes. 

Elliot (Yes)

America should stop providing foreign aid; we have enough problems in our own nation that desperately need financial assistance, including starving children and people who can’t afford medical treatment. Funding other nations doesn't make sense when our own people are suffering. We should serve our citizens before sending money abroad—especially since the government is taking money from taxpayers to give to nontaxpayers abroad. The American government is effectively stealing from its people through taxation to fund foreign nations. This is not moral or just.

Likewise, many of the countries we send aid to have a history of committing human rights violations. Many of the countries we send aid to are also run by dictators. America shouldn't fund regimes that are undemocratic and treat their people terribly. This foreign aid is not altogether altruistic, either. The money often comes with strings attached—and we are effectively buying influence in order to manipulate countries that should be left alone. Sometimes, we offer countries enormous, unpayable loans that turn them into little more than vassal states. 

Another issue is the level of corruption in these recipient states. In many cases, aid is stolen by the leaders of these countries while the people continue to suffer. The most recent example is Ukraine, with not only money but dangerous weapons being stolen and resold. One report showed that Javelin anti-tank missile launchers are showing up on the dark web for $30,000 each after being sent to Ukraine. Overall, most nations, especially America, would benefit from a policy that offers less foreign interference.