Ravenwood - 12/31/04 08:00 AM
Another good one from KdT, who points out that when it comes to foreign aid, percentages don't mean much. It's gross dollars that count and the simple fact is that the United States gives more than anyone else, period. You can bitch and moan about percentages of gross domestic whatever, it doesn't mean diddly.
Of course, 0.14% of America's GDP is a bajillion dollars, give or take a billion or ten, and 10% of Norway's GDP is about $72.15...Kim's numbers aren't that far off. Norway's GDP is a paltry $172 Billion. They brag about seizing 0.9% of that for foreign aid, which equates to about $1.5 Billion a year. The US GDP is $11 Trillion or $11,000 Billion (for comparison's sake). Even though we only seize 0.11% for foreign aid, that still amounts to more than $12 Billion.
And as Kim points out, they are only looking at money taken at gun point and shipped off to the U.N. This doesn't include tangibles like sending airplanes or ships, nor does it include private charities.
(all numbers via CIA fact book)
And like Spoons points out, America just can't win here. First they bitch at us for not doing enough, then they bitch because we're doing too much and "undermining the U.N."
UPDATE: We've upped our pledge to $350 Million
Colin Powell said it best last night - this is the tip of the iceberg of aid from us. As the nation that gives the most aid to other countries, we don't tend to throw all the money at them at once. We assess the needs, we respond accordingly.
Posted by: Da Goddess at December 31, 2004 10:47 AMAs I commented on another site, I never understand why it is the US that is always getting pointed at for not coming to the aid of people in other countries in time of need, when I am sure there was not a dollar paid by any foreign government in 2004 to assist victims of hurricanes, tornados, and any other natural disaster befalling US citizens.
Posted by: Tig at December 31, 2004 10:54 AMGolly, if I thought my little independent contributions would truly undermine the UN, I'd go max out my credit cards right now, just to see Kofi Annan have to get a real job.
Posted by: CGHill at December 31, 2004 4:18 PMIt also doesn't account for the fact that countries that don't have to provide for their own military defence have more to shell out for aid.
Posted by: Sandi at December 31, 2004 7:23 PMNo, it's percentages that count, not gross dollars, you innumerate toad. If an average bricklayer gives $50 to reconstruction in Indonesia, he's generous. If Bill Gates gives $50, it's an insult. The population of Norway is 4.5 million. Our population is 300 million. Of course we give more total dollars in foreign aid. We would have to be disgusting, amoral scumbags to give less. If you're asking whether we're generous or stingy, it's a matter of: how much do we give as a percentage of our income? The total amount we give is only important if you're an aid recipient making a practical calculation of who you should appeal to. If you are an independent, thinking person, deciding who is more generous, it's obvious that Norway is more generous. You, however, may not be a thinking person, so don't trouble yourself too much.
Posted by: brooksfoe at January 4, 2005 4:52 AMBrooksfoe,
Way to prove your point with incessant name calling and personal insults. How independent and thinking of you.
>>We would have to be disgusting, amoral scumbags to give less.
I think that pretty much sums up where you stand on the totalitarian/socialism scale. Charity should not be taken at the point of a gun like tax money is. For the record, Visa reports that private charitable donations made by the U.S. via their charge cards were more than $100 Million the week of the Tsunami. Not too bad for a bunch of "disgusting, amoral scumbags".
As for percentages, they are not measuring it as a factor of "income", they are measuring it as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product. Income is how much money you earn. GDP is the total of all the goods and services you produce.
Posted by: Ravenwood at January 4, 2005 8:57 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
