Topic: How much foriegn aid does the US hand out?

[fingerroll]

In response to the recent riots in the land of the sands, just how much do we hand out to govt around the world?

More importantly, where does it say in the Constitution that our govt can do this?

Possibly even more important, why are we giving money out when we are broke?

[Alphabet Soup]

The US Constitution acknowledges the need for foreign policy and defines who conducts it (The executive branch). It does not define or specify limitations such as foreign aid payments - that is discretionary.

The unfortunate thing is that what was once a benevolent and generous gift to our allies has now turned into tributes and extortion.

edit: altard-proofed

[fingerroll]

How much do we pay out? 
I understand that the exec hs th authority but I find it hard to believe that the idea was for billions of us dollars to be handed out all over the world by the chief exec.  Early presidents were known to veto funding for many domestics issues because they didnt fall under the authority of the Constitution. 

The fact that we still hand out the billions while we are broke is mind-boggling to me.  From a personal aspect, when I am more fiscally secure I tend to be a little more generous but when times are a little tighter I don't give as much.  common sense.  not that I'm expecting that from our leaders but we borrow billions and give billions out.  Thats a wtf(?) moment for me.

[Glock32]

How much do we pay out? 
I understand that the exec hs th authority but I find it hard to believe that the idea was for billions of us dollars to be handed out all over the world by the chief exec.  Early presidents were known to veto funding for many domestics issues because they didnt fall under the authority of the Constitution. 

The fact that we still hand out the billions while we are broke is mind-boggling to me.  From a personal aspect, when I am more fiscally secure I tend to be a little more generous but when times are a little tighter I don't give as much.  common sense.  not that I'm expecting that from our leaders but we borrow billions and give billions out.  Thats a wtf(?) moment for me.

That's because it's your money rather than someone else's.  And it's why our Founders always erred on the side of limiting government power, because even decent people are corrupted by that fetid swamp on the Potomac.

[Pandora]

How much?  Too much.  Any .. is too much. particularly now that it's borrowed money.  That's just insane.

And, as Glock writes, it ain't their money, Constitutional foreign policy authority or otherwise.

[CatholicCrusader]

In response to the recent riots in the land of the sands, just how much do we hand out to govt around the world?

More importantly, where does it say in the Constitution that our govt can do this?

Possibly even more important, why are we giving money out when we are broke?

Foreign aid is always a favorite whipping victim in tough times. But the fact is that it totals about 1% of our budget, so its not much, but it can often pay dividends in the long run.

[AlanS]

In response to the recent riots in the land of the sands, just how much do we hand out to govt around the world?

More importantly, where does it say in the Constitution that our govt can do this?

Possibly even more important, why are we giving money out when we are broke?

Foreign aid is always a favorite whipping victim in tough times. But the fact is that it totals about 1% of our budget, so its not much, but it can often pay dividends in the long run.

Except in the Middle East, which can be pretty fickle.

[benb61]

In response to the recent riots in the land of the sands, just how much do we hand out to govt around the world?

More importantly, where does it say in the Constitution that our govt can do this?

Possibly even more important, why are we giving money out when we are broke?

Foreign aid is always a favorite whipping victim in tough times. But the fact is that it totals about 1% of our budget, so its not much, but it can often pay dividends in the long run.

Yeah, but when an investment goes sour, you dont continue to dump money into it.

[CatholicCrusader]

Foreign aid is always a favorite whipping victim in tough times. But the fact is that it totals about 1% of our budget, so its not much, but it can often pay dividends in the long run.

Except in the Middle East, which can be pretty fickle.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Qatar has been really good to us, as has Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, so-so.