It's a map of the world just like the one in the "Who likes ->-bleeped-<-s?" thread. This one was shaded by how much US aid each country recieves. There are about six countries that recieve no US aid. The rest of you, you're welcome. Hugs, Devlyn

Most US aid is not given in grants or cash, it's given in trade credits that can only be used to buy ->-bleeped-<- from American companies, so - at that - most of that "US Aid Money" ends up buying weapons and weapons systems, so that aid is really going to Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Boeing Co., General Dynamics Corp., Raytheon Co., KBR Inc., L-3 Communications Corp., Science Applications International Corp., DynCorp International Inc.  Just like the rest of your tax money, well the part that isn't going to China to pay off interest on loans.

No, that's cynical! The point is, we help just about anyone who asks for help. As an example, South Africa got about $578,000,000 with around $530,000,000 going to health organizations concentrating on infant health. What part of that says weapons systems? Hugs, Devlyn

Some people are astonishingly naive!

What Tekla said is partly correct. But it could be countered that, if the products were any good they would sell anyway.

What is actually happening is that Russia and now China,are buying favour and therefore influence all over the world and America needs to do the same or lose out. China, for example, has enormous investments in Africa. In my wife's home country, there are numerous buildings, sports pavilions, schools, hospitals and such, built with Chinese money and strangely Chinese labour. Some of it, apparently convicts.

Up to the late 80s, it was principally Russia and America, mainly arms and food shipments.

The question for Americans is why? Especially when it is enormously expensive. This is where you will find a major difference.

One side will argue that America needs to maintain influence to maintain it's security, not to mention its markets and supplies.

Others will point out that America doesn't have any problems with its external security, it's uninvadable, that it's markets are insignificant if they need to be maintained artificially and it doesn't need supplies.

But it's good that you can be so reasonable about it, especially when it amounts to many Americans paying more taxes than the UK taxpayer.

Thank you, happy Girl! I am trying to show that the US does a lot of good in the world and the senseless banging away is misdirected, and usually performed by naive people. Hugs, Devlyn

Spacial, knowledge is power. I wonder if most people know how much the US donates to health care in their own countries while transgendered people here are taxed, then denied coverage. Happy Girl, this is a mature discussion. Why don't you go play outside? Hugs, Devlyn

OK, I'm going to walk the dog and go to bed. I want you to discuss US foreign aid. Divide yourself into two groups, those who can do it like adults, and those who feel compelled to act like eight year old children. I'll be back in the morning. Hugs, Devlyn

TG people in the US are not denied care, they get all the care they can pay for.  Which is the American way.  Why do you hate America so much?

P.S. - food shipments, ie. trade credits for ADM, Cargill, Monsanto?  Yeah.

PSS - if the products were any good they would sell anyway\

OK, I'll go real slow here - our nuclear weapons are ->-bleeped-<-ing awesome.  Not only will they incinerate your entire city in 1/10 of a second, our delivery systems can put them down within five feet of wherever we want on the planet.  Now, we just don't want to sell them to everyone, only 'special' people.  So there is no open market for this stuff.  Same with the F-16, F-18 - we want to control who gets those kinds of prizes - ask Israel what they are worth against Russian junk.  And while China builds gyms, I worked to build electronic spy systems all over the planet for the US government.  But I'll bet the Chinese are doing that too, they just aren't as obvious about it.

Quote from: Devlyn on February 01, 2012, 06:30:36 PM
Happy Girl, this is a mature discussion. Why don't you go play outside?

I'm learning to put these uber negative people on ignore. If I see a dozen posts in a row, all negative or combative >plonk<

Quote from: Devlyn on February 01, 2012, 04:51:08 PM
It's a map of the world just like the one in the "Who likes ->-bleeped-<-s?" thread. This one was shaded by how much US aid each country recieves. There are about six countries that recieve no US aid. The rest of you, you're welcome. Hugs, Devlyn

Did you have a link to the website?

Maybe I'm naive but I try not to be cynical. As soon as there is a disaster anywhere in the world the USA is usually the first in to offer help and assistance. The American people have been strong in supporting charities around the world. The largest private donor, by a major mile  are Americans (Gates Foundation). I'm lead to believe that philanthropy is more common in the USA than in most other countries.

Yes countries, including the USA also donate aid etc in order to influence countries, but USA is by no means alone in that, it is common political practice everywhere.

And while I may not agree with the politics involved, the USA military have been willing to defend others, and the bravery and dedication of the men and woman in the field should be honoured and respected by all. Yes there are some who have disgraced themselves, and their country, but by far the majority have done their job and their country proud.

All in all I think we should be pretty damn grateful for the contribution the USA has given to the world, with the exception of awful TV programs.

JMO

Cindy

Hi Devlyn,

I am from South Africa and I can tell you that the $ 530 000 000.00 for infant healthcare is not getting to where it is supposed to go! With all of the corruption going on in our government, I bet you that half of that money ends up up in politicians and corrupt ministers pockets. The incidents of AIDS among young people and babies just keep on increasing, state hospitals are run down and in shambles with no supplies and a serious shortage of qualified nursing staff. Operations are being cancelled or postponed for the aforementioned reasons.

I think America is a great country that is really trying to help wherever they can. In most cases the help is put to good use, but in our case, I'm not so sure. Your good intentions are unfortunately misused here.

My two cents worth.

Huggs

Maegan

Quote from: Devlyn on February 01, 2012, 06:30:36 PM
Spacial, knowledge is power. I wonder if most people know how much the US donates to health care in their own countries while transgendered people here are taxed, then denied coverage. Happy Girl, this is a mature discussion. Why don't you go play outside? Hugs, Devlyn

I do hope you can spend a few moments thinking about what motivated that reaction.

It is clearly defensive. Defensive suggests you feel you, or your values have been attacked.

But if you read what I actually wrote you will see it is simple observation with a twist of irony.

If you know anything about me, (which, admittedly means reading my incredibly self absorbed posts about myself), you will realise that I was, in actuality, born in N America and mean it and anywhere else, nothing but good.

I do find it very sad when people, especially intelegent people, feel threatened by thinking. But I assure you, no condemnation or any other negativity was intended toward America or any other part of the world. I hope you will also note that I only ever comment on those points which others have mentioned in media. That is, after all, the basis of thinking and the purpose of media.

Love you loads.

That doesn't mean I won't make negative comments about the UK and often Europe.

Spacial, I'm fine with you. I tried to start a positive thread, then went negative myself. I just want people to use respect with one another, and that is lacking here sometimes. As I proved with my comments. I feel better today and thank everyone for their thoughtful input. I should have put this in AAAAARGH! Hugs, Devlyn

Cindy, sorry about the awful shows, I don"t watch them either! Maegan, sadly, every government is corrupt. Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn on February 02, 2012, 10:30:56 AM
Cindy, sorry about the awful shows, I don"t watch them either! Maegan, sadly, every government is corrupt. Hugs, Devlyn

Some more so than others...I've always wondered where the billions (trillions?) in aid went, after the tsunami (and later Katrina)...

That said, even if other gov'ts are corrupt, if we don't "play their game" they'll take their ball and go elsewhere (China, for ex.)

It used to be US + NATO vs USSR + Iron Curtain...now the world is a capitalists' paradise.