Foreign
Aid Reform
It is in the best interest of the
American people to ensure that the government spend their money wisely and get
the best possible value for each expenditure.
One valuable step in that direction is to reform how their tax dollars
are distributed around the world. That is at the heart of the Foreign Aid
Reform Plan.
Under the current system billions
of dollars are allotted to most of the countries in the world to do with as
they please with no accountability and no effort to see that the funds are used
for the stated purpose. When questioned about the use of American aid dollars
we are often met with “sovereignty” or “national security” stonewalls. That
will no longer be the case.
Under the Foreign Aid Reform Plan
there will be a detailed accounting for money received and tangible proof that
the money was used for the requested purpose. If the American taxpayers sent
1.5 billion dollars to build a new highway, a new harbor or a new dam, these
are the sorts of things that can be monitored and verified independent of
government contact. These are the sorts of things that foreign aid was
originally intended for: essentially, to improve the lives of friendly nations
and enhance their abilities to grow economically, respond to emergencies and
adequately defend their territory. Any other use must be shown to be in the
interest of the United States as well as the people of the country receiving
aid.
INITIAL STAGE
All foreign aid for the subsequent fiscal year
is cancelled.
A very limited list of countries will be granted
a waiver of effect for this Plan. That list can have as few as three names but
no more than ten (10).
Those funds will not be restored. Instead they
will be used for the purposes benefitting the people who earned it in the first
place: infrastructure improvement, national defense, Social Security solvency.
Every country will have to submit a request for
aid in writing for the following year. It is to be detailed in describing the
use of funds, reportage for accounting, and progress from year to year.
WAIVER OF EFFECT
The most controversial part of this
controversial bill is the granting of waivers and who will be on that list and
who will decide. Simply put: the granting of waivers of effects will be
predicated on those countries that have shown loyalty to and consistent support
for the interests of the American people. (Countries such as Japan, Australia
and Israel come to mind.)
The duration of waivers has not been determined
at this time.
APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS
There are additional issues associated with the FAR Plan application. The
relationship between America and the applicant nation is paramount. A nation
that is consistently hostile to American interests and policies will not have a
strong position from which to make a request. A nation routinely disrespectful
of American culture and policies will likewise have difficulties in getting
their “request” granted.
Understand
this is a request for money from the
American workers. Every sovereign nation is entitled to operate in its own best
interest. Every nation is entitled to hold any opinion or policy its laws and
people permit. No nation is entitled
to money from the citizens of the United States. Your problems are your problems. If we choose to help, we
will, but no one can expect generosity from a neighbor who has suffered your
abuse in the past.
FINAL CONSIDERATION
Every nation must understand that America is also a sovereign entity and
it is also a unique entity in that sovereign powers are invested in each American citizen. Since every
citizen is a valuable part of the nation it follows that how nations treat
those citizens within their borders is of interest to the United States. Fully
twenty-five percent (25%) of any final request will be dependent on the Status
of Americans Abroad Report filed by our State Department. This will include:
Issues of crime and official corruption
affecting visiting tourist, workers abroad and ex-patriots dwelling on a ‘permanent’
basis within your borders and areas of control.
Treatment of those suspected of criminal
offenses. The laws of the host country may be enforced as those nations see
fit. However, access to prisoners by American officials is never to be denied, proper medical and nutritional needs are to be
provided by the host nation or permitted through the State Department
resources.
Even after conviction, access to prisoners is
not to be denied and prisoners are to be treated humanely in the manner that
nation expects its own citizens to be
treated in American prisons.
An unsatisfactory rating from the United States
government will automatically reduce any granted aid by 25%.
This is not an effort to exert undue pressure on the sovereign
rights and independence of any nation. This is not an effort to influence
policies of any nation. This is an effort to properly steward the wealth and
goodwill of the American people. They are not under any obligation to fund
those nations who mistreat them, who abuse them and do not agree with their
policies and will expressed through Trade, Travel, Military Assistance and
Personal Safety. It is in the interest of any nation choosing to request aid
from the American people to ensure they are in their good graces. Otherwise,
seek aid elsewhere.
