Should the U.S. halt foreign aid to Libya and Egypt?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The violence in the Middle East has renewed questions about which countries get U.S. foreign aid and whether they deserve it.
Some House conservatives wanted to strip foreign aid to Libya and Egypt from a six-month funding bill set for a vote today. That's not going to happen because it was too late for any changes to this bill.
Nonetheless, some Republicans are questioning if the U.S. should keep giving money to countries run by "radical Islamists" such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Others say before handing out aid, the U.S. should make sure Libya is helping with the investigation into the attack and murder of our ambassador and three other Americans.
But not everyone agrees. According to The Hill newspaper, senior House Republican David Dreier of California says it would be a "big mistake" to cut funding to Libya and Egypt. Dreier says it's essential now more than ever to "strengthen ties with these fledgling democracies."
It's worth pointing out that as millions of Americans suffer under a weak economy, our government is sending lots of money we don't have overseas to other countries. U.S. foreign aid to Egypt is about $1.5 billion a year. That's second only to Israel.
And Mohamed Morsy, the new Egyptian president, didn't even apologize for the attacks on the embassy in Cairo until today, two days after they happened. That tells us quite a bit.
The U.S. had withheld aid to Egypt this past year when the government was cracking down on protesters. Now a decision will have to be made whether to do it again.
Here’s my question to you: Should the U.S. halt foreign aid to Libya and Egypt?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
I'm not real happy about shipping our tax dollars over there, but until we are energy independent we have to coddle that part of the world. Let's start putting solar panels on every American roof!
Jack,
Not only should we drop aid but should pull out our embassies as well. Time to stop being the Police of the world, and I'm a Democrat saying that. Enough is enough.
when it comes to foreign policy, America always "plays favorites" – we need to pick a few in Libya and a few in Egypt and weigh in, heavily. money talks. regional stability is good for America, good for Europe and good for Israel.
All depends on your goals. If you are Bainman and Boy Ryan, then your goal is to create Brownie Points with extreme Right Wingers, so to achieve that goal you cut the funding with maximum rightousness and fanfare. If you are a serious foreign affairs diplomat trying to make the world a better place (and how silly is that!) you continue aid because everyone in these countries is not our enemy. It's pretty simple really, Jack.
Yes we should stop all foreign aid to all countries , This would allow more money to be spent on food stamps, and training people to read the Help Wanted Adds in their local newspapers, which in turn will help our economy
Foreign aid to these countries should be conditional. If they allow their militant wackos free reign, then the bucks slow down or stop. Some humanitarian aid can be offered on condition that it be independently monitored. Under NO circumstances should there be any weapons offered, even to their so called police (look at Afghanistan for an example).
I would. Only fools bite the hand that feeds them.....and sometimes foools need to be taught a hard lesson.
My answer isn't going to directly answer your question. First, you cannot buy friends. Second, a country that has a national debt as large as ours shouldn't be giving aid to anyone.
Uh, YES! We are no longer the uncle with the big pockets. We have issues here to take care of, and interfering in other countries' foreign affairs has not only depleted our own resources, both financial and military, but it's done nothing but cause ill will abroad, and is one of the reasons I cannot safely board an airplane with a fingernail scissors. Wake up, America, and mind your own business.
The original objective to give foreign to these countries is still valid and with merit, so we should stay the course and continue giving foreign aid but adjust the conditions of giving the aid
Foreign aid is a catch 22. We get criticized for meddling in other countries affairs when we provide aid and we get criticized for not being sympathetic or only caring about oil if we don't provide aid. Not providing aid also increases the possibility of a failed state and terrorist heaven. Continuing to provide aid seems to be the least negative solution but it sure is hard to feel good about it.
You bet your bippy we should Jack and do so immediately. The billions we throw at these clowns should be going to pay down our own impossible debt. And, if they don't like it, they can lump it. That's an American phase they wouldn't understand.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
To Libya no but to Egypt, yes. Untill they can PROVE to us to be a WORTHY receipiant of this aid, it should be scaled back. Libya is still trying to set up a Government and get infrastructure established. 45 Yrs of Gahdaffi was just as bad as what Saddam did in Iraq.
I think all monies should be withheld from all the countries now involved in the uprisings in the Middle East immediately, and until we have answers and those who are guilty for the murders of our Ambassadors, etc., are found and put in jail!! We have bent over backwards for these people, and they spit in our face, and hate and kill our citizens. These are malicious people, and unfortunately the news media does not call them out as they should. I don't think we need to apologize to any country for a movie made here because they only use their religion as an excuse to hate and kill and they should be called out for it, not given approval by the press.
Americans will never learn Jack. The policy makers of this country seem to think that they can buy security and change policy with dollars. I have news for them. That is not going to happen. Ever. The mind set of Islamic extremist can not be bought. Sure they will take all the money we give them and then use that money against us every chance they get. These attacks supposedly were not done by Libya's and Egyptians however those same people also did nothing to stop them. Even after being told that the attacks were coming. It is long past time to get our people out of the middle east.
we should hault all aid to all of the middel east
If we're not getting pro-American policies from them, then why should we be giving them free money?
We have plenty of uses for that money here at home, and don't need to be giving it to foreign ingrates.
Should the U.S. halt foreign aid to Libya and Egypt?
Do you know that the 1st mention of Egypt in the Bible is "Abram went down" (Genesis 12: 10)?
They need to be told "There is ONE body, ONE Spirit, ONE Hope, ONE Lord, ONE faith,ONE baptism,
ONE God and Father of ALL, Who is above ALL, and through ALL, and in you/us ALL" (Ephesians 4: 4-6).
They have nothing to gain but a Lake of Fire with their antics (Revelation 20: 12-15)
"The heavens are the Lord's: but the earth hath He given to the Children of Men"(Psalm 115: 16)
"By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His Mouth...
For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast" (Psalm 33)"all things visible and invisible-
(Colossians 1: 16). "the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts "-
(1st Chronicles 28: 9)
"Every human knee shall bow to Him" (Isaiah 45: 23 ; Romans 14: 11 ; Philippians 2: 10)
It may be too soon to tell. The situation appears to be fluid. Libya did not do this. Egypt is another story.
We cut off aid to Afghanistan in the 1980s, the country descended into a failed state, Al Quaeda set up shop, and look what happened. I think it's time to listen again to George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," paying close attention to the lyric, "With every mistake, we must surely be learning."
No. We still need them as allies in the region. We should not let the actions of a few destroy our relationship. That's exactly what the extremist and Al Qeada want.
jack
It's time we cut these countrys around the world off let them fend for themselves We cant be the police of the world, now dont give me this its all obama fault either U.S presidents have been doing the same thing around the world for over 40 years. Giving aid to these savages always end in thesame they attack us. The u.s armed hussein and osama bin laden these acts are not obama conspiracy theories. Romney is sticking his foot in his mouth his own party does not support what he said yesterday He will not win Romney shows he run's his mouth before he knows all the facts. It's time we look out for us here at home not the middle east How meny times does dr ron paul have to be right before we wake up. these people have been killing each other for thousands of years they wont stop just because the usa say so. They will take our billions then they will turn on us like wild dogs
Jack,
Yes, stop it. This should of never began in the first place?
No. We still need them as allies in the region. We should not let the actions of a few destroy our relationship. That's exactly what the extremist and Al Qeada want. However, we should put pressure on their Governments to denounce the behavior of these extremist, and bring those who killed innocent American citizens to justice.
If investigation proves that the governments are not living up to our expectations, then yes we should halt it. These are young governments, we need to give them a chance (a closely monitored chance) to establish. This country wasn't founded in a day, either.
We need to end all foreign aid period. Not to mention homeland corporate welfare as well. Well,at least Egypt buys our Tear Gas. Jack, it wasn't the vast majority of the population of both countries that hate us, it's just a few. Besides, look at our own American Taliban....The Evangelical "Christians". They are more dangerous than the Muslim Brotherhood. Our Taliban can get folks in Congress and in the White House........ and can have access to the codes.
jack
It's time we cut these countrys around the world off let them fend for themselves We cant be the police of the world, now dont give me this its all obama fault either U.S presidents have been doing the same thing around the world for over 40 years. Giving aid to these savages always end in the same they attack us. The u.s armed hussein and osama bin laden these acts are not obama conspiracy theories. It's time we look out for us here at home not the middle east How meny times does dr ron paul have to be right before we wake up. these people have been killing each other for thousands of years they wont stop just because the usa say so. They will take our billions then they will turn on us like wild dogs. Our own people starve here in the usa and we ship these people aid everyday. Its americans who die defending these savages as a vet its time we stop funding them these attacks will never stop
Absolutely! I am sick and tired of giving away billions and billions of dollars to people who hate our guts and are screwing us. All we get in return are double crosses and dead ambassadors. And we may as well cut off Pakistan too, so we can use the money to track the al Qaeda faction to whom they are giving aid, comfort and shelter.
Yes, apparently the money being sent is in the direct hands of the Muslim brotherhood or another faction, is being funneled to another source, while Americans whose whole heart with the intent of establishing Democracy, has gone by the wayside. My question is where was the CIA, the DOD, and most of all the PResident It appears to me that he would rather be on late night comedy shows, exclusive CNN interviews, and on the stump rather than doing what he was elected to do????
With our own people in so much need, why should we continue to send taxpayer money to a people who despise us? The Egyptian government, whatever that entails, needs to get control of their own fanatics.
Let's not go the same route as Mitt and overreact. I think we should wait and see how all this plays out. I don't believe they receive that much aid anyway, and I am sure the people really need it. Bottom line. Wait and see.
If there was no "DO-GOODERS" that is what should happen. But they will get in the way and make all kinds of excuses for people who clearly hate Americans.
America should cut all foreign aid. I don't want some war lord in some backward ass country living off my dime. Someone needs to explain to me why the United States is giving billions of tax dollars to countries who hate us. There are millions of deserving people in America who could use some help and yet all the political hacks want to do is cut
social security and medicaid. They should be talking about cutting foreign aid instead. ALL types of foreign aid.
Jack we call aid in america welfare with tons of paper work, we call foreign aid funding terrorists something we will keep doing, Forget the millions here at home who can't feed themselves but scream about people on welfare yet people want to keep using our tax dollars to fund these wack-jobs in places that harbor terrorists . What the heck is wrong with people we care more about these savages then we do about our own.
I am against all foreign aid in general right now, so the answer is an easy one for me. No foreign aid to Egypt, Libya, and the rest of the world, untill we can take care of our own citizens at home. And we have to stop letting people swarm into this country at the rate they are entering, untill we can handle the population that is here. Yes, I know we are all immigrants, but that shouldn't prevent us from confronting the reality, that we have lost control of the situation. Take a look at the World Trade Center beams, shinning a cool florescent blue in the evening tonight. You will see thousands of flickering whitish images within the beams. The little lighted flecks flicker up and down, and left and right, and every which way, and if you look closely you can see their wings flapping quickly like a snare drummers sticks. Bats. Thats right Bats. Bats on top of Rats. Thats New York City. Its time to get a handle on things folks. Doug, Pepperell, MA.
Yes I do. These countries are like parasites. They suck our money out in the millions every day and our leaders, who are supposed to serve us, decide to allow them to continue to leach off of us. I don't disagree with helping a neighbor in need but look at the state of things. We are in another depression and owe our existence to foreign countries who are also in debt. To make matters worse we are sending all of our money out of the country to "help" other nations but in all reality it is just a grand(and failing) imperial scheme to control our foreign interests. These nations are not allies nor friends by any means no matter what they may have to offer. Tell me then, if you buy your friends and you have no money are they truly your friend?
The answer is yes , jack ... We should halt our taxdollars flowing into the region ...
The U.S. should stop funding regimes that are unstable and not democratically elected through legitimate elections. Our involvement in those processes have a negative impact on the perception of the U.S. in the minds of the people. This "more perfect union" is not ideal for every culture on Earth. The "Arab Spring" is only the beginning of the evolution all societies undergo when demands for individual freedoms are more powerful than grip of tyrannical overlords struggling to maintain control. U.S. aid has no place in these matters. We should keep our distance until stability is reached, pride flows from the people who struggled to develop a better society, and true freedom is abundant within the hearts and minds of entire nation.
If it wasn't for their oil we wouldn't be there. Back in Nov 2002 I was paying $1.49 a Gal, Nov. 2008 $ 2.42 a Gal
today $ 4.29 a Gal for gas , whose to blame ? Rich Oil Companys or the President ?
WE should stop spending money we don't have on all of these countries. Our own house is not even close to being in order, yet we think everyone else needs a handout. There is a God and we're not it.
Since foreign aid is only a diplomatic term meaning "we are paying you to pretend to be our friend" then the answer is yes.
No! By halting foreign aid to Libya and Egypt were doing the things that the terrorists and radical islamists expect! Instead we should increase security at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, then we should work with the Libyan government to find the people responsible for the attack on the U.S. Consulate at Benghazi, and finally we should work with the Egyptian government to make sure that are interests in the region are protected. As a volunteer for Barack Obamas Presidential Campaign we should choose diplomacy over military action, after all the U.S. is the leader of the free world! Greater power means greater responsibility and we should use that power to work with both Libyan and Egyptian governments to eradicate those who seek to destroy democracy and make the middle east a land of lawlessness!
The United States government will never buy Islamic extremists obedience, respect or allegiance no mater how much money they try and pump into it. . It just does not work that way in the real world. Perhaps in our governments fantasy world it does but not in reality. America has absolutely no business sending money we must first borrow from other countries in an attempt to spread western democracy to countries that do not believe in it or want it in the first place. Hell we can not even afford our own governmental expenditures much less building another countries infrastructure while ours falls down around us..
Should the U.S. halt foreign aid to Libya and Egypt?
No.
What happened in Libya was not done by the people of Libya (locals seen carrying the bodies of the four Americans to the hospital for care) but done by radicals, possibly Al Qaeda members.
What happened in Egypt was in response to a Zionist Israeli American film that was offensive to Muslims. Just because you have Freedom of Speech doesn't mean that you have to use it or if you do chose to exercise it doesn't mean the rest of the world agrees. There are always consequences to actions. The Egyptian media has as much blame as the filmmaker in that they showed bits of the inflamatory film to the general public without thought. Radicals in the nation responded. But not ALL Egyptians should have to pay.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Absolutely. But we should not stop with those two. Aid to Israel and Pakistan should be cut as well. We take alot of flak from the world for being Israel's ally, and have very little in return to show for it. And Pakistan has shown time and again that they are not true allies. They have yet to come up with an acceptable reason for why they were sheltering OBL.
New governments now free of US supported dictators can proceed down many paths. The US should continue financial support that is conditional on negotiated interests favorable to Democracy and commerce.
Jack is your surname Romney? Proposing extreme measures without complete intelligence?This extreme supposition should only come into play after all intelligence has unraveled and found either or both governments complicit and or offered taciit support to the anarchists/terrorists.
Jack: I believe the foreign aid we promised this fiscal year should be delivered. I do not believe the Prime Minister or President of Egypt was happy about protest at the American Embassy, but Egypt should be warned by our Ambassador that protest which get our flag burned will result in no foreign aid in the future. We have increased the number of Marines at all embassies in the Middle East. Libya's Prime Minister condemned the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, and is hunting for those who are responsible for his death. The USA is also hunting for these individuals in the desert. Libya is a young democracy, and needs assistance in controlling different groups with weapons.
In one word Jack, YES!
Not unless you want Al Qaeda to grow until it is a real threat to the US mainland again. We have to help mold these countries or we will lose them to the enemy! Our presence is necessary! That was really a poor question, Jack. You know you are just feeding the crazies!
When it comes to aide for anything else than medical and food aide. Any country we give money for military or just bundles of cash they should be like Circus Ole and have to jump through all the hops we want them to jump through to get it.
Yes. It undoubtedly would do more good to use that money to fund the study of the eating habits of Peruvian cave frogs. Unlike most of the Arab world the cave frogs do not despise us, and we would know with certainty what hole we're throwing our money down.
Why do we give aid to any country that has expressed hatred toward America? Pakistan should be included in this group. WE are in an economic crisis and yet we try to 'buy' loyalty with money that is needed here. To make matters worse, Obama likes to apologize to the same countries we are financially supporting because they might be offended by us. This is disgusting and reflects how far the USA has fallen under Obama.
Malvern, PA
No!
Our leaders continue to foster freedom throughout the world. We need to continue to plant these seeds and honor God in all that we do.
We need to understand that Domestic Terrorist in our own nation is just as much a problem as any other terrorist.
The Republican Party has become a financial terrorist organization and just like Jim Jones have a group of people that follow them instead of doing what God leads them to do. These folks are caught up in the ways of the world.
Foreign aid...Please don't make me scream...We give it to people, who don't even like us. We have people in our own country, who are homeless and children who are hungry. STOP all foreign aid and use the money to pay off our debt and give decent shelter and food, to our own people. If a film makes those people act like crazies, I hope they never see a Roadrunner cartoon. The Acme company won't be able to keep up with business.....Charlotte from Greenville, Pa
We do not need to cut aid to either country...what our government, our nation, our citizens need to do is GROW A SET! What we have yet to hear from anyone is support for the constitutional right to free speech. We need massive protests by Americans in front of every muslim embassy in the U.S., screaming at the top of our lungs that we will fight for and die for everyones' right to free speech. Free speech is inalienable. Every human being has the right–and the DUTY–to criticize, lampoon, characiture, cartoon, denounce and yes, INSULT, anyone and anything they so choose. I'm certain President Obama doesn't care for some of the things people say about him, but as Americans, we do not kill people for speaking their mind. WE NEED TO SPEAK OURS! WE NEED TO PUBLICALLY CONDEMN anyone who feels we should eliminate free speech in order not to offend someone's religion.
The U.S. should halt foreign aid to ALL foreign countries until we get our own country back on it's feet. We should also bring all of our troops and all of our diplomats home and focus on our own problems instead of trying to solve every other countries problems.
Pinching wallets usually gets ones attention. After countless years of pouring money to various governments they begin to believe they are entitled to the funds. I only wish I could get a few hundred million dollar allowance. Here's my address...
The United States understands that Libya's government is in transition and this type of transition takes time; therefore, the U.S. must continue to support Libya's foreign aid, as Libya has offered their full support in this attack. However, Egypt is a different situation and the U.S. should continue to closely monitor their progress and the actions of their leaders.
If ever the term "Pouring money down a Rat Hole" applied it's here.
However the minute we stop supporting their CORRUPT so called leaders they will be in bed with Russia and China creating even bigger nightmares.
We should have adopted a policy right after world war two of STAY AT HOME, MIND OUR OWN STORE, and DON'T LOOK TO UNCLE SAM FOR ANY HANDOUTS..
What is the objective of foreign aid anyway? If you answer that question, you'll see that nothing has really changed with Libya or Egypt. The U.S. still wants to do business with them, and have some leverage if something goes really really wrong with these relations. The recent incidents and the actions of some terrorists don't change anything. In fact you have to consider the consequences if the U.S were to cut the aid to these countries.
Most defnitely, Aid should be cutoff immediately, all American personnel pulled out and our government should express outrage at such a wanton disreguard for human life., They ccomplain about their religion being insulted, while they constantly disrespect all other religions. They don't truly follow the Koran, if they did, they would respect life, not take it.American politicians, who believe peace can be obtain in a radical Muslim world, better wake up and acknowledge radiacal Islam will NEVER accept democracy,
Charity hasn't ended at home. but isn't it about time it does before flags start being burned here in America?
Another Brir rabbit and tar baby issue, the question? Should the US halt foreign aid to Libya and Egypt?
As Ron Paul stated somewhat of this nature, that he demanded that it be so, if that is what he said I will have to agree with him, he as well as I see things from this part of the area, as being robbed and taken away from just two as I said in one of my comments to be elevated for their reason, the genders as I said, they are robbing Peter to Pay paul.... As the saying goes, you take away their jobs here in Southeast saying go back to school just to lift their agendas, and ideals in another region or place, as I said in one of my comments American needs a balance, it's Martha's and its marys.... I balance, otherwise America will end up and already is in a dry clabberish attitude, for say? Riots, etc. because as you said is the education worth it? There must be a balance even as Martha got a bad attitude while in the kitchen, so is America becoming,
besides that, does not charity begin in the home? One that says is that our leaders are not taking care of us in the US as well as they need to be, at that point we not only look at present but also future us knowing that even so better present and those that want to become, all look in the wrong direction, how selfish is it when either party takes care of those in foreign lands, when America is declining in Medicare and Medicaid and other issues, jobs lost here in the Southeast such as coal and different things that is promoted, and I mean businesses by coal, is taken away, yes I like Randy, I think it should be stopped.
Most definitely Aid dshould be cutoff immediately. All American personnel pulled out and our government should express outrage at suchwanton disreguard for humanlife. Tihe protestors complain about their religion being insulted while they constantly disrespect all other religions. They do not believe in Democracy and American politicians had better wake up and realize radical Islam never will allow for freedom of religion, speech or any of our basic rights.
The problem for me is that we never have an accounting for the 100's of Billions GIVEN to Iraq etc.
David, Las Vegas
Why do we pay billions of dollars to people who hate us while thousands of Americans, particularly veterans, go to bed hungry or sleep outside because they have no other place to go? These bribes clearly don't seem to work in the Middle East. Let's get out of there and concentrate on developing home-grown sources of energy. We've been talking about energy independence since the 1970s. If not now, when?
By All Means YES! No more money paying them to be "Our Friends". Purge the democrats who act like cowards still advocating we pay them to maybe be nice in future.
Jack, let me find the logic. Burn our flags, kill our ambassador, attack our embassy...gee, and we continue to send them a billion dollars in aid. Aid for WHAT? Oh, and by the way, why are we paying Israel anything; they should be paying us about 5 billion a year for THEIR protection. Why iis that our government continues to send our dollars to other countries when we are in such dire economic need ourselves. How can our government justify the increasing deficit without any accountability to the American people. They just give, give, give and spend, spend, spend. We'll 'pay the piper' one of these days.
We seem to continuously debat what the US should do in foreign affairs while ignoring the issues going on here at home. For instance the first ever audit of the federal reserve recently uncovered that the fed has secretly been lending our money to bail out American and foreign banks. $16 TRILLION to be exact. Where's that story?
Yes, and we should get out of both countries. After we overthrew both governments and left both countries with non functional governments wide open for terrorists to seize control of, we may as well leave.
Libya is in a shambles from cruise missiles and air strikes the U.S. launched over a rebellion that began in Benghazi when a suicide bomber blasted his way into the Libyan Military Base and the rebellious terrorists stole all of the military equipment and began a civil war backed by the U.S. and NATO. I think we should send them a check for the damages and war crimes and then mind our own business.
Our only concern in the Middle East is to guaranty Israel supremacy and all of the Arab Nations are aware of this, and we will never gain any influence because of our biased support for Israel.
Not to Libya, since so far the government seems to have reacted properly, but very probably to Egypt given the statement by their new president.
Let's see: We as a nation are attacked on 911 and also around the world by muslin extremists and we are supposed to not blame the muslin community but only blame the extremists themselves. But let some wacko wannabe moviemaker youtube a video making fun of their religon and the west is in danger all over the world,including the very same countries that we helped rid themselves of brutal dictatorships. Ok I got it I think
We are a debtor nation. Stop foreign aid to every country, end U.S. wars, don't start new wars, and pay off our national debt. Dr. Michael Knox, Tampa, FL
The conflicts in the middle east are largely between different factions of a common faith (somewhat like we see amoung the faithfull right here). We cannot take sides. If the other side wins we look weak and ineffectual and lose any chance to influence their future. If our side wins we have made implacable enemies of the loser. Either way it's a lose-lose situation for us.
So, to answer your question. Yes. Halt the aid, let them sort it out ,then re-evalutate our involvement.
We should freeze aid to Egypt until Morsi apologizes. Libya has shown support for the US and should continue to get aid.
Jack, given billions spent in what is basically a Islamic Jizya tax has not purchased peace in the Middle East. So, yes we should stop and we should demand a full refund!
1.5 Billion dollars a year!?!? Apparently I've been living under a rock because the last time i checked this country was dead broke.
Well, DUH Ron Paul has been saying this since the start. Actually, we should have pulled all of our diplomats when the revolts in Libya and Egypt first began. Paying off countries to make them "Like You" is absurd! Why is America stuck on stupid?
The U.S. should halt aid to all countries that are in flux and do not have a stable sane governments. It does
not make fiscial financial sence with a trillion dollar deficit to give money to contries that do not share the same
common values or are supportive to American intrests. U.S foreign aid does not buy any love for the U.S., it only
delays the enviable, the enviable is happening now.
Jack,
We hooked them on the foreign aid drug and the reality is that it works two ways. Either they extort us for it and I'm sure any of these governments have their methods or we are leveraging the money for some benefit to the U.S. The debate is how effective one party or the other is at the process. However, pull these countries off the foreign aid drug probably creates a withdrawal effect that no one has the stomach to handle.
We can’t trust our own government to spend our tax money wisely, how can we trust other countries? Stop foreign aid to every country, end U.S. wars, don't start new wars, and pay off our national debt. Dr. Michael D. Knox, Tampa
Regardless of what anyone thinks of Ron Paul, his impression of American tax dollars going into 'American Imperialism' should stop. Why do we not create jobs with this money rather than create enemies?
Absolutely, without a doubt! We should never reward bad behavior especially from countries that hate us. Money can not buy love......
Halting aid to Libya and Egypt would be a grave mistake knowing Iran, China and possibly Russia would be more than willing to fill that void and that would be disasterous for the whole region especially Israel.
Absolutely not. Have you ever met an Egyptian or a Libyan that you didn't like? If all Americans were judged by Limpbough and our lunatic fringe, other nations would have America on the chopping block. Don't punish our friends and allies for the crimes of a few.
From all I hear on CNN, the U.S. can't even take care of their own. Why in God's name do they give billions upon billions of dollars away under the guise of 'aid'. "Aid" of what ... training more terrorists? There are other places to get oil than the middle east. Dump them and let then drown in their oil. Enough already!
They should but they won't because they pay Egypt 1.5 billion to be nice to Israel, they do the same with Jordan.
Yes, just drop all aid. Cut these people adrift. They want to kill us, why should we send them our hard earned money.
Jack, all this talk about discontinuing aid to Egypt! I wish you would bring on an expert to explain, in detail, where that money goes, how it is spent, how much comes back to us through military contractors, etc. It is aid, but isn't as charitable as many of us would like to believe.
The only aid that we should give them is forcefully aiding them in adjusting their attitudes
Cut off all aids we need it more at home period.
Our foreign aid is a pittance in the budget. Cut a smidgen of Defense Department welfare to war mongering corporations and cover the cost of encouraging peace
Tacoma WA
we didn't give aid to the soviets when the czar was murdered or when the berlin wall fell.why should this be different
Yes, no question, it needs to stop right now.
Yes, we should stop all aid to Libya and Eqypt.
And while we're at it - EVERY OTHER COUNTRY ON THE PLANET ! ! !
What part of 'We're Broke' don't our political leaders not understand?
Bobby L.
Studio City, CA
We should cut back by 2/3 and let them earn our friendship. We should use the money to move away from oil and toward alternatives. If they need help/stability, where is the Arab League? They get a lot of our oil money and would benefit from a stable Middle East far more than we would.
YES! Stop the aid! Do we think by throwing them money as "aid", money which is badly needed in our country for our own needs, that they will be our "friends"?
Absolutely, we should halt the funds that we waste into our foreign aid policy. What good has come out of it for our economy? It just empowers their governments to control their people how they please. In hindsight, if we weren't occupying the world to begin with, our people wouldn't be dying.
Yes. why should we send aid to any country that does not stand up for democracy. We need to aid people here first. Some of these countries have been fighting the same wars since time began and no amount of money will help.
Yes, and yesterday was not soon enough!!
No, but take some money off the top of our foreign aide package and use it as a reward for people who come forward with information about exactly who was behind the violence and, who murdered our citizens and exactly who is responsible for the blankidy blank film which sparked the violence.
Yes, all aid to such countries should be halted. There has to be consequences for attacking and killing American Citizens in these countries. I halted not ended. When these governments demonstrate that they are capable of restraining the militant factions in their respective countries then we can approach the subject of aid.
Its to early to tell Jack but i suggest investigations should go on and if both governments are found guilty then the the U.S should Halt especially in the case of Egypt
I believe we should wait for an apology from the Egyptian President in order for them to receive aid, but Libya seems to be helpful so far and has condemned these attacks and protests. Libya is an ally, Egypt seems to think it's all the US's fault.
We Should cut all foreign aid and use the money here to try to attempt to save us from the financial cliff we are heading towards. Time to worry about our own country and quit telling others what to do how long will we remain arrogant thinking we can police the world
Yes. Withdraw support to Libya and Egypt. Plus let's pull out of all countries that have a least 30% Muslims and withdraw troops and all support of these countries. Support only those Middle East and European countries that will support us.
Bill Maher was right, we are a " Stupid Country" US aid to Egypt and Libya will continue.
Cut them off, we can barely take care of ourselves! Why should we give money to people who hate us?
At the very least holding funds to both these countries should be the 1st action
taken by this administration that has failed at every level. How about putting those funds to work right here in the land of the free and home of the apologetic!
Our country can't even pay its own debt and we're giving money away? No, I don't think we should be fgiving any aid at all.
Cut aid to Libya?
How about cutting aid to Israel? It has done us more harm than any Muslim country , particularly since their land grab of 1967, the root cause of terrorism and muslim hostility against the USA. With friends like Israel, who needs enemies?
On the other hand, maybe we should cut off aid to all three Israel, Egypt and Libya , at least until Israel abandons the W Bank and E Jerusalem. .
Absolutely not. Take a smidgen of Defense Dept welfare trillions for war mongering corporate contractors and direct it towards peace.
Tacoma, WA
We should drop aid not only to them but most of our other giveaway programs except for humanity.... and do it asap. As you know when you help someone they expect more and when you stop they get mad. .....only to prove we are buying a relationship......
Jack,
There exists a cartoonish notion that foreign aid is essentially bags of unmarked bills handed over to street vigalantes waving AK47's and chanting Death to America. That is simply not the case. Most foreign aid is structured so that foreign nations must contract with American firms for their purchases.That being said, it should still only be dispensed to countries that are allies of the United States. The new government in Egypt still needs to prove that point.
Yes. I feel we should suspend aid to both Egypt and Libya.
Absolutely not, the reason that the protests reached a deadly effect in Libya is because Islamic Militants (which the Muslim brotherhood is not) are taking advantage of weakened governments- We have already seen how nations like Somalia and Mali have fallen fully to the hands of Islamic militants and as a strong democracy must uphold the democratically elected governments in Libya and Egypt to prevent them from falling to terrorist organizations in their weakened transition period, only this can help solidify peace in the region between Israel and neighboring nations and preserve a safe future for our own nation by keeping militants at bay from hijacking the governments of nations as powerful as Egypt.
Absolutely. If these citizens of Egypt and Libya as well as other Arab nations are generalizing about the US and our citizens based on the work of one renegade filmmaker, perhaps we should make a point and generalize about the governments and citizenry of these countries. Would we give aid to terrorist nations? I think not.
No, but we should get a lot smarter about the strings we tie to our foreign aid. There was a great book written more than a half century ago called THE UGLY AMERICAN that addressed the stupidity with which the US gives out its aide all over the world and it does not seem like much has changed since then. If the Egyptians do not understand the concept of "Free Speech" and equate any movie that comes out of the US with US-approved messages, someone is doing a horrible job of educating this population we very much do need to help transition to a real democracy. The rigth wing has got to stop trying to use neoliberalism and Milton Friedman/Shock Doctrine type of economic constraints on these emerging democracies–this always hinders the development of the middle and lower classes and feeds Big Multinational Corporate Greed. We need to do a better job educating people at home about the international consequences of their freedom to abuse speech through bigotry as well.
Love your comments, Jack.
The kneejerk reaction would be, "of course, suspend aid," but by doing so is not weighing the consequences of those actions. In Libya, the government clearly is an ally of the U.S. People have taken to the streets in counter protests begging Americans to understand that the far-right extremists are not representitives of the society as a whole. In Egypt, the new president is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He was, without a doubt, a right-wing candidate, but since election has positioned himself in the center and brought the Muslim Brotherhood with him. It is enough that President Obama just undercut him by saying that Egypt "is not an ally or enemy," and to cut aid now would only make his job that much harder in the future. When the people find out that the film makers was a Coptic Christian (if that is true) he will have to also defend millions of his own people from more violence than they have already been subjected to. If we wish to maintain good relations with the post-Arab spring governments in the future we cannot cut aid at this time.
Stop Funding Egypt & Libia immediately. Never Bite the Hand that Feeds You.
How dare they attack ou Embassy's &
Kill US citizens.
Yes! We give money to Israel but they are
Our friends & only friend in the Muddle East.
We should stop ALL FOREIGN AID until we get our financial house in order. Then , if any aid is to be disbursed, there should be NO national debt and those who receive the aid should get it to pay for what they have documented has been done.
Also, term limits should be imposed so that those who "serve" are not only concerned about re-election!!
We should help any country striving for peace and a true Democracy. Even the Iranian and Israeli youth do not want wars they want a GROWN-UP responsible leadership. Take away the entitlement's for the rich and send HELP/FINANCES to Countries who will build peace-abiding counties. They don't have to be "American Style" there are ten (10) other countries happier than we are. "God Bless the peace loving Youth of the World". Is my prayer.
Yes, we should stop all aid to both countries. They are retaliating against our country for what a so-called movie-maker did (although I'm sire it was done to "commemorate" the Sept. 11 attacks). They've killed and injured innocent Americans no matter their reason. So why should we fund them? Let them do without and lets put that money back into our own country.
What an inane question. Who believes that we give money to anyone for nothing in return? The real question is – do we get what we pay for? If not – then stop the payments. If yes then don't. CNN as well as the rest of the media should consider their impact on the national discourse. Rather than insite, maybe you should educate.
yes we should pull every thing out of the muslim world. this is just a reason for them to attach the usa. the rich country in the region should help the poor countrys not the usa. if they want to stop trade with us it will hurt here and there. i think we can over come that problem better and faster then they can. no more money or american lives in this reagion.
Yes, I believe we should suspend aid to Egypt and Libya. We cannot buy friends. These people will just take our money and use it for things they can use against us.
Absolutely not, the reason that the protests reached a deadly effect in Libya is because Islamic Militants (which the Muslim brotherhood is not) are taking advantage of weakened governments- We have already seen how nations like Somalia and Mali have fallen fully to the hands of Islamic militants and as a strong democracy must uphold the democratically elected governments in Libya and Egypt to prevent them from falling to terrorist organizations in their weakened transition period, only this can help solidify peace in the region between Israel and neighboring nations and preserve a safe future for our own nation by keeping militants at bay from hijacking the governments of nations as powerful as Egypt...
Absolutely – pull the money. Where is Ron Paul when you need him? I don't care if I live a thousand lives, the USA will never be true friends with those countries – we are just too different philosophically and religiously. Why do we have to be the peacemaker of the world? Those countries don't understand freedom of speech (and I do find that film to be disgusting and not at all representative of Americans). We cannot continue to impose USA values on countries that have another thousand years to evolve. And who says how they need to "evolve" – that's their decision – not ours. Live and let live. We need the money here for our citizens that are on food stamps, welfare and can't find jobs. It's the middle class, stupid (love you James) – not foreign aid.
I don't think that it's time to throw in the towel on Libya....not yet, anyway. They seem to, at least, be trying to handle the situation and are condemning the terrorists. Egypt however, has shown complacency for two days and I think that we are seeing the writing on the wall, as to the reality of being allies with the Muslim Brotherhood. The wall that I'm reading spells trouble. Not good.
I think we should stop all foreign aid to countries that are run by radical islamic In doing so, we get the attention of people in these countries and perhaps will influence their decision making regarding negative and destructive behavior. Money is power and withdrawing the flow of money will return us to a place of power. In addition, our country is in serious trouble and we are "rewarding" others' radical behavior???? I don't think this is "rocket science but apparently it is for our decision makers!
i am very tired of our country giving money to people that continue to slap us in the face. We continue to give aid to countries that feel we have no right to exist. Nothing we do will ever change this part of the world or change their view of us. That didn's ask for our help nor want it.
Cut off all the money we send them. It just goes to support their royals.
Yes, we should definitely stop sending foreign aid to countries that don't like us and only help those like Israel that we can rely on. Additionally, the US does not have the funds to continue to provide foreign aid. Our own people are homeless, jobless, basically "futureless." We need the money at home, not sent to foreign countries who will use the money to fight us.
Jack, The issue isn't whether we should stop sending money to Libya and Egypt but rather why in God's name are we sending foreign aid to anyone. "Charity begins at home" and when the USA is broke, our seniors are trying to decide whether to heat their homes this winter with $3.50/gal home heating oil or eat our govt sends money overseas to people who hate us and kill our citizens? Washington,DC is not just disfunctional they are blind to the realities that "We the People" live with daily.
US should halt money in Libya, Egypt and also Israel. We don't want to let our life and future in somewhere else. Specially when we are in worse financial crisis and debt, we should not in invite extremism in our land! Thank you
absolutely not. They should apologize for what happened in Libya, also U.S should apologize for not able to control its own public about making hatefull movies about Muslim prophet Muhammad. We should look at root cause of why this uprising in Muslim world happening, but no one in U.S seems to understand that they have insulted the noble prophet.
Libyan's gave their lives defending the Consultate and have a postive U.S. sentiment. They deserve U.S. aid. Egypt is another story – their aid should be milestone based.
Let me get this straight, we borrow money from China to give to other countries so they can buy weapons to kill us, yeah, good idea, carry on.
why are we sending foreign aid to ANY other countries while we have a debt of over sixteen trillion dollars?
that's like making a charitable contribution whlie your pantry's empty!
now,to really answer your questtion: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!
I am an Egyptian and now US citizen , we should stop all help to Egypt until they learn how to respect the international laws
and stop harassing innocent people who had nothing to do with that film
Cafferty,
Cut off all aid to Egypt and Libya. Most of the money is spent on weapons purchases anyway. Little money, if any, is used to improve the lot of the regions' inhabitants. Oh, yes. While we are at it, cut off every penny of "aid" to Israel, withdraw our ambassador from Israel, and kick the Israeli ambassador to the USA out of the country. I'm willing to bet that our relations with the Muslim world would improve substantially if we called Israel's hand with regard to Middle East politics.
Cheers
Jack, how is it we are not to blame the entire Muslim faith for the the actions of a few on 911, but they blame us for the actions of 1 idiot movie producer.
Our country is trillions of dollars in debt. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our economy is in shambles. The majority of the middle eastern peoples want to see us dead. Yes, by all means, let's continue to send them billions of dollars. Enough is enough!
Absolutely not. I am an American Egyptian, and believe me, it will not end there. Things will get much worse, now that one of the muslim brotherhood took over, he will keep on inciting people indirectly to go further. They will use our money to start a war (religiously) to spread al Qaeda message and expand the relationship
It may be helpful to send the Libyan government an invoice, detailing the cost of replacing our embassy and it's grounds; the cost of funerals and compensation for our citizens who perished and their families; and deduct said costs from our aid to their country. They don't understand our sense of free speech, nor our sense of the responsibility of the individual for his own actions. Until they get it, they shouldn't get it (aid).
I didn’t vote for all this money to go abroad.............when is it ever an issue on the campaign trail. Ask the US public, I bet 80% would say stop giving money altogether..............let’s take care of business at home 1st...........oh no, lets go borrow more mony from China so we can give it to people that hate our guts.........amazing stupidity.
The greatest foreign policy threat to the U.S. right now is a nuclear armed Al-Queda or Islamic fundamentalist. As soon as you pull aid from a country and/or withdraw your embassy you lose influence in that country. Then the crazies take over. Not that the crazies won't take over anyway but at least you have some sway.
The bucks stop here! We don't have the money to give and with the leadership in Egypt and Lybia as well as the lack of effort to protect our embassy employees on their land, these are not our friends. For the new leader in Egypt to have come out with an immediate condemnation of the movie trailer, which has nothing to do with American views, but not apologize or denounce the attack for 2 days, is UNFORGIVABLE.
whoops! i should have said YES YES! YES! MY BAD....
I think the united states should cut off all aid to all countries that are not trying to help there selves.they need to focus on all the homeless and straving people here .were giving money toall these countries ,but our country is all mess up. cant pay teachers , cant keep police on the streets but they want to send all our taxe money to help some one else . fix america or there wont be an amerirca. when peole start roiting in our streets cause the have nothing then they are going to fix this place.wake up and take care of us frist.
David Evans, Vancouver Washington:
The US should cut off aid to Israel, as it is Israel's ongoing abuse of Palestinians and ongoing illegal expansion onto Arab lands that is making ever more enemies for the United States.
No, really? Maybe we should take that money and give it to teachers and local police. Crazy, I know!
The US should stop all foreign aid immediately. We are borrowing money to give to other nations and the UN. STUPID.
Regardless of emotional sentiment, the U.S. needs allies in the middle east. These attacks, though escalating in size and violence, represent only a fringe element within these countries, not the people at large. We need to build stronger relationships with these governments and use our aid to do so, but at the same time making it clear what we expect in return. It's a tightrope act to walk but sadly very much necessary.
Yes we should stop all money to the middle east. The fact that it hasn't helped the Us and we can not afford it. What else could be the answer.
Do they pay taxes in Libya or Egypt? If not, keep the aid flowing so after Mitt loses he can go over there and Bain them.
We need to stop sending dollars to all foreign countries. Starting in the middle east. Our country is going broke so why give money to people who hate the US and what we stand for? Time to take care of Americans, protect our borders and stop being the policemen of the world.
Years ago, when we chose to reject Nasser, he turned to the Soviet Union for support, when he came first to the United States and would have preferred our support. Today, China already has a major foothold in many parts of Africa. A few billion now could save us many billions later in wars and trade losses in Africa. The word "byzantine" comes from the Middle East. We need to leave the decisions to the State Department professionals who have at least some understanding of the byzantine politics in that part of the world, not make simplistic political decisions that pander but make us feel able to beat our chests momentarily in nationalistic pride.
Romney, WV
What an inane question. The money we "give" to Egypt, Libya and others is not charity. We are paying for something. Capitalist don't give away money. The real question is "are we getting what we're paying for?" If yes, then don't stop the 'aid,' if not – then decide whether we can get what we want at a different price or whether its worth paying anything at all. CNN and the rest of the media should really take notice of their impact on the public discourse. Rather than insite – you might try educating.
Jack, middle eastern countries have been milking American generosity far too long. It's high time to shut off the tap! Then we'll see how sweet they can be!
I see no cogent reason why we shouldn't close our embassies in all ten of the countries in which our embassies are under siege. In addition to that, we should immediately extract all Americans, ban imports, freeze assets held here, and cancel aid, until those countries get themselves under control. If they wind up in a civil war, so be it....it's not our problem. When the winners emerge, they can apply to speak with us. If they are reasonable, maybe we'll give them another chance. I'm sick of hearing that "it's not all Muslims, just a radical element". Really??
Egypt and Lybia will cozy up to China and Iran whether or not we send money. Egypt is probably a lost cause. We need the money here for our schools, Medicare, our poor and unemployed. At least withhold the money until they come to their senses (Lybia seems to be willing) .
Hey Jack, how's that regime change business working for us here in the good ole USA? It is certainly not helping our "interests" in the world. Bring our money and our kids home now and let the dictators have their turf back. We would be better in the long run.
Egypt does not deserve aid from the U.S.-the more we give them the more they hate us.
America is viewed as the aggressor in all of the middle east countries, the ugly american exports hate, corruption,mistrust among so many nations, (not my view) but all this aid money does nothing to improve america or americans image abroad. It also does not buy friends(example, Pakistan). I think foreign aid should be cut off to all of our enemies(egypt,libya,yemen,pakistan,afghanistan,iraq to name a few) Spend this money on America and Americans,pay down the national debt so our kids and grandkids can have a much brighter future. DO IT NOW !
Punishing Libya for the acts of 20 people is like attacking the US Embassy because an American made an insulting film.
Jack cant do that. It would screw up the whole Wheel of Fortune game in the middle east. That creates a bankrupt spot when Hillary spins the wheel to see where we should drop money next in the middle east. We are freakin broke but, have to keep giving the muslim hoodlems and israeali mongers money dont we?????
Why only Libya and Egypt ? Weren't there anti-USA demonstrations in 10 countries today ? Our allies in Israel also had demonstrations, will we cut their funding ? It is political theater, we won't cut funding for anyone. The politicians will bluster and get some airtime but they will do nothing.
have given them over the years. When Mubarek was in power we could at least buy him off. That is what despots understand. Religious and idealogues cannot be bought off with money, their world is spiritual and utopian,,We must stop the money now.. We cannot afford it, for heavens sake, give the money to Israel if we have to give it away!!!!!
Yes, stop giving this countries are hard earned money and start using that money to help rebuild the US and get some of our people back to work.
The anwser is no. The US continues the aid (1.5 billion) to Egypt from year to year to help keep Israel safe. Congress and the Administration also know that Egypt, which has the largest population in the Middle East, still has potential to be a good friend in the region.
Of the nearly 1.7 billion in aid we send to Egypt, 1.3 billion is military aid. I assume that means products for the Egyptian Military which is produced in America by Americans. The 400 million is distributed in some other form. Wouldn't stopping such aid to these countries actually be cutting our noses off to spite our faces?
Lets give Israel the money to better their already great intelligence apparatus and make them stronger militarily and not snub Netanyahu, because they are our only ally in the region.
Bad idea Jack
Libya is a new democracy and they have had an elected government for less than a year. They are barely in control of their country and require our help and money to ensure terrorist do not fill a vacuum that would be left by a failed government.
In regards to Egypt, if we stop military aid/money we will be breaking one of the terms of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty military funding/military aid and some in the Egyptian government would like nothing more but an excuse for not honoring their obligations to the peace treaty or withdrawing from it.
We are behind the eight ball when it comes to Egypt no easy answers.
As the world gets "smaller" we find out some of our neighbors are nuts and know no reason and understand only their truth. Looks like a fight to me,........... forget any aid and lets do it.
The question about foreign aid in general doesn't appear on any agenda for discussion. I have yet to see a
comprehensive accounting of how much leaves our shores for aid to either those we love or those who don't love us.
What discussion has been heard is that it is good to give away our treasury in the hopes of generating friendship
and trade. Should the public be allowed to know how much is going outside our borders for dubious return,we
might find protest fires around Washington.
why the american government should apologize for individual's mistakes? The US is about freedom of speech, Freedom which other countries, like egypt and libya do not have. Egypt do not appreciate our money. so it should not be given to them
So what is the difference between talking or writing hatred within the social media and disrepecting another culture and another country having extremists demonstrating their hatred. This issue has unfolded, not because of the "right to freedom of speech" but allowing freedom to say what you think knowing it undermines and insults other cultures and beliefs. Without a anti-hatred law, take a serious look at what it has cost the US in the past and now. After all, the news media could never get away with what is logged in the global social media.
I just don't understand the argument (from both sides of the aisle) that we need to keep sending financial support to these countries. Fledgling democracies my foot. I wish that in front of live television cameras, President Obama would hold up a check for $1,500,000,000 made out to Egypt c/o Mohamed Morsy, and then suddenly rip it into tiny pieces.
untill our country has a positive balance sheet it should stop aid to all countries.And when the country gets out of finincal ruin they should only help countries that ally themselves with us.
for now it would be nice if donation-aid to romney is stopped for one week by his big donors so he can not embarrass himself in front fo the incredulous world.
Yes! We can not police the whole world. We should bring our troops home and not get embroiled in new conflicts. Giving hand-outs breeds resentment and we can see evidence of that.
Duh! The concept of not throwing billions of tax dollars to these cavemen in the middle east is a concept our congressmen are unable to grasp. Egypt especially does not deserve one dime of US tax dollars and congressmen who support giving our money to them should be swiftly voted out of office in November.
Yes, cut the aid. Let them go to China or Japan and borrow the money themselves. Why drive up our debt to hand them free money? Mayby if they see their national debt load increase it will make them think a bit more responsibly about how they spend it and how they interact with the rest of the world.
First of all, try to find out the facts. Meaning who made the stupid film and show the world we have a little common decency and sense. Next let the powers that be, who know the regions way better than any of us, try to let peace prevail as much as it possibly can in that part of the world. These zealots look for anything to set them off and they were given something so hideous. So cutting off money to them, I believe would hurt the people who are attempting to make new and better countries and to find a common ground.
Yes. Like anything political, it's all in how you spin it, right? So: USA to Libya and Egypt: "As a result of the recent events in Libya and Egypt, by respectively allowing such an act to occur in the first place, and in the case of Egypt, having a very lackadaisical response we are disappointed to say the least. Therefore we are suspending aid to said countries, until it is deemed once again a worthy investment, that shows mutual respect, and genuine support."
Seriously. Or in other words: We're cutting you off for now, but if you people are willing to step up to the plate and able to show you have our backs, then we'll reinstate your funding, until then, you're cut off.
Might actually work. Don't just give it to them, make them earn it.
No, unless they are going to stop all aid to all countries, and I do mean all countries. Why play favorites?
And..... stop all aid to the wealthy in the way of tax cuts and farm subsidies.
The Middle East is an incredibly diverse part of the world with a very different current state of human rights, women's rights, ability to obtain education and property, social mobility etc., than found in much of the western world. It's also at a very volatile point that, just like the current economic crisis here in the U.S. and around the world, was years in the making and has no one "easy answer". Some of the statements heard by Governor Romney recently should in my opinion pose a much more important question – do American voters understand the importance of long term international diplomacy during times like this and how they correlate to Washington's ability to address problems such as the economy, that the U.S. faces here at home.
How did the US ever think we could make peace in the middle east? They have been going after each other for thousands of years and no matter what the US does we always come out as the bad guys. We need to start thinking of stopping aid to these countries. I am sick of tip toeing around religious beliefs that uses violence in the name of religion.
Let's get out. They do not want us there. Let them run their own countries. I know the ramifications but nothing else works. Let us use the aid going to these countries on America!
I'm far from being a foreign policy expert, and I'm sure there are some worthwhile reasons for foreign aid to these two countries. But ya know what.......I think it would be a hoot to bring it to and end today...zip, no more, nada, just to see what would happen and how other countries react. I mean, could it possibly make anything worse?
Yes. Why are people saying anything more than a simple YES. The answer is so simple because it's so obvious. Well, now I guess I've said more than just yes.
I think this would be a knee-jerk reaction. Give the PRESIDENT a chance to completely absorb all the information. We have to see what developes in the next several days (e.g., our success at providng increased security {Marines, etc.] and the US Ships nearby and to what degree they get involved and hopefully, stop the violence.. If we get to either of these levels of intervention, of course we should cut off aid.
Yes, we should stop aid to Libya and Egypt, as well as to many other countries. The latest uprisings show these populations will violently protest against the United States at the drop of a hat. They don't like us. Fine. But they sure do like our money. They take our money, and then they spit in our faces, burn our flag, and kill our citizens. Let's take our aid and bring it home – where it belongs.
Jack...Jack..Jack...if I thought that by holding back financial support from these countires would have an effect, I would agree to do so, but let's be honest, it would take years to make a difference and only the innocent would suffer from just a financial cut off, not the government. How about doing exactly as the people want, just pull everything out from these countries (I mean "everything") and cut them off from America enirely just like North Korea. If they hate us so much, let's divorce them completely!
With all due respect the US may be providing assistance to Libya to establish civil society but I doubt that any of our tax dollars are sent as direct aid unlike Egypt. The exception to that of course is the support of the NATO campaign last year for which all Libyans are eternally grateful. All Libyans are dismayed by the events of the last couple of days and mourn the loss of Ambassador Stevens who we considered one of us.
We must begin treating other nations, like responsible adults, and reward behaviors that rexognize our values, and for those who are not inclined to, I would cut off any aid. Believe me, there are many willing suitors ready to help, it just seems that our thinking that we are buying loyalty is archaic thinking. Throwing money at problems has never worked, what makes you think it is going to change? Let others throw their money and watch the results....You already know the answer.
It's my opinion that we should stop sending any money overseas until we get our own house in order. We are not going to dictate what happens in any country by our dollars because no one wants to be told what to do. However I believe it should be done on a gradual basis so as not to cause too much instability in the region. To simply yank all the foreign aid immediately would cause the same situation as if China suddenly decided to call in all the U.S. debt it owns. It would basically destroy the American economy. We want these countries to stand on their own and take care of their own affairs. That is the best way because we really cannot afford to continue being the world's policeman.
Yes. I believe that if we do not pull our aid ,it will only allow this uprising to further escalate. Allowing this to happen to our embassies without serious retribution is a sign that we are weak , and willing to be trampled on without getting up and defending ourselves. The embassy should be considered U.S. soil and therefore an attack on it is a direct attack on the United States
To be honest I am surprised there hasn't been a bigger push to pull aide from certain countries up to this point...we have enough problems here and "big brother" needs to worry more about his problems at home and less about these "developing" countries who have only had a few thousand years to figure things out...Besides an extreme lack of gratitude...from several countries...many of whom have been in the headlines as of late...we are caught in a catch 22, we help and the world cries to the tune of American interference...we don't and we are lambasted for not interfering...honestly I'm tired of solving the worlds problems...a coddled child never grows to be a man...
Continue aid to Lybya?- Of coarse, a recent poll suggests that 80% of the people there still want a free society and appreciate what America has done for them.
Foriegn aid to Egypt should have stopped long ago (and been diverted to Isreal) the country is saturated with evil incarnate radical Islamist.
I don't know if I would cut off aid since the government did make an attempt to enter the danger zone on our behalf. But, I gotta wonder about a government that does not see the link between institutionalized hate mongering and mob actions like this. The idea to hate Americans that much has to be spoon fed almost daily. My guess is the religious leaders have something to do with it. That crowd of people was pre-disposed to act violent. They just needed an ignition source.
I agree with Rich of Mckinney Texas. I would add something my Grandma used to tell me...."the quickest way to turn a friend into an enemy is to give them money ".
I think we should stop all aid to all countries and put it back into to our tax payers pockets. We keep borrowing to support other countries. Why do we think we have to be every ones big brother. We probably wouldn't get it if we needed it. The idea that this makes us friends and safe is crazy. I personally don't need friends who keep taking my money and treat me like crap. Why don't our leaders wake up and smell the roses and keep saying they want to cut taxes. The way they are cutting taxes is laying off government employees,cutting school funding,trying to get rid of good social programs and other things. I think if we quit giving other countries our borrowed money this would cut a lot of taxes. I would think if we borrowed only half this money and gave it back to the states for these issues it would be money better borrowed and spent. I guess I'm old fashion I was told clean up your own back yard before you tell your neighbor to clean up his. I think we need to be fixing ours and let them fix theirs,
Yes we should cut aid! It burns my butt that our country is drowning in debt, but yet we have money to aid foreign country's! like Libya and Egypt Two Country's that don't respect the U.S!
shouldnt we be asking the question " why is the US giving money away anyway? wouldnt it b far better spending that money helping people who paid in those tax dollars?
With the current economic conditions we have in this country.....HOW on earth could we continue to send
money anywhere outside this country?? Our own citizens are having such a hard time dealing with their
day-to-day lives, then we have to listen to other countries getting money from us, they HATE us anyway,
what good does it do, they are simply using the money to buy weapons to fight against us......they are
laughing all the way to the bank, while our own country is self-distructing!!
Instead of 1.7 billion in cash , we should let Rommey do his thing , outsorce a couple thousand jobs to them so they can support themselves. Just a thought
It's like taking a shot from them and handing them more ammunition to use in aiming back to us again.
Radical islam thrives in countries with a poor, starving, uneducated population. Our only hope for a better world is to keep helping these countries.
No. Don't halt aid. Egypt and Libya have a majority of people who are not militant Islamists and we need to have a presence to encourage them to control their nations.
Okay, here's a good spot for compromise. Considering our own financial situation,
cut all foreign aid a certain percentage. After all, aren't "we", or rather politicians,
looking to cut American benefits????
The US government is addicted to aiding other countries as well as trying to be the "good guy" and the cop of the world. The people causing the violence and acts of terror,obviously do not want US presence,only the money. They are fundamentalists,and want to suppress anything or anyone who is progressive. Always remember 9/11. The government of these countries need to track down these thugs and punish them as needed.
I think we should halt ALL foreign aid and sort out who our friends really are. I am beginning to think we don't have any, just so called allies who use us for thei own purposes and occasionaloly reciprocate with intel and troops.