...No. Foreign aid represents an insignificant fraction of our national budget, and an even more insignificant fraction of our economy. It keeps our relations good with other countries and can help to solve some of the world's worst problems. I realize that a lot of the money goes into the pockets of African warlords if it isn't managed correctly, but that's no reason to eliminate foreign aid entirely.
Foreign aid, in addition to wasting money, is meddling into the affairs of other countries. It does NOT buy their friendship; it does NOT solve problems; it just makes other parts of the world hate us. Switzerland gives no foreign aid; nobody dislikes Switzerland.
...It depends what kind of stimulus we're talking about. I'm skeptical that just writing everyone a check will help much...but establishing a public works program, and expanding unemployment insurance and medical care very well might stimulate the economy.
Basically, writing checks is not the best way; eliminating government meddling is the best (excessive taxes, regulations, mandates, etc.). However, writing the checks is BETTER than than your other (socialist) proposals.
1. Stop foreign aid, our tax dollars should not be spent on foreign countries period.
2. Reduce government spending by eliminating non-essentials, if it is not law enforcement agencies, military,infrastructure and education it should be eliminated.
3. In regard to corporate welfare and bailouts, a business is supposed to succeed or fail on its own with no government IE we the tax payer intervention.
4. We should have tariffs on imported goods to protect American jobs,**** world trade we can't be just a nation a of spenders and service industries. We will screw ourselves in the long if we let everyone else make things for because we might end up going to war with one of these nations and I do not think they are going to continue to sell and make things for us if we are at war with that country.
5. Some regulations are good.
6. I am for welfare as long as it is a helping hand and not a hand out.
7. Taxes shouldn't be reduced until our debts are paid off and once debts our debts are paid off enact a pay as you go system unless there is a state of emergency such as a war or major disastor.There is no reason we should be borrowing money for non-emergencies from future generations....
1. Agree totally
2. Agree totally, I would even eliminate some of the 'essentials," which may not be as essential as many people perceive.
3. Agree totally.
4. Disagree. I believe in free trade and competition.
5. Very, very few.
6. As long as it is strictly voluntarily provided and from strictly private (non-government) sources.
7Agree provided that no new spending is enacted. However, I prefer tax reduction combined with massive spending reduction.
If I were Augustus I would save our beloved empire with public works. Massive public works.
We don't need any more public works boondoggles. Don't even think about putting one anywhere near where I live. Would you sacrifice YOUR home via eminent domain for a project?
Cut off every nation that is getting money from us. American money should be spent on America for basic essentials like law enforcement, infrastructure, military/military operations and etc. And we have a national debt, so it definitely doesn't make any sense to be giving money away like it grows on trees. If you owe money it doesn't make sense to be giving it away when you have essentials to worry about and a debt to pay off. Israel... they should be on their own. However, if there are Israelis with dual American and Israeli citizenship, our government needs to stop this nonsense of dual citizenship and force them to pick which country they want to be part of and live there. As Teddy Roosevelt once said "Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all."
Amen!
For those that wish to end or reduce welfare and social programs? What would you suggest we put in place to help our fellow man?
Voluntarily funded charities. NOT government.
They can get jobs, go to Salvation army or some other charity,donate plasma, go to soup kitchens, seek the aid of relatives, and many other things. If its just a reduction in benefits then they can simply eat cheaper food,several packs of ramen cost a dollar, you can get two or three boxes of macaroni for a dollar, instead of Oscar-Myer hotdogs you can get Rodeo or Bar-S brand, instead of Del-monte canned vegetables you can get Always Save, Best Choice or some other generic brand.
Absolutely right. People need to learn how to manage their money and lifestyles. AND GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SHOW RESTRAINT IN WASTING OUR MONEY ALSO.
As I said before I am not for the complete elimination of welfare and food stamps as long as it is a helping hand and not a hand out.
If it is voluntary and provided privately, fine. It is NOT a legitimate government function.
I got a rare 64 oz porterhouse from Gibson's here in Chicago once and that sumbitch was pretty much raw. I LOVED it.
How about a 72 ounce steak? At the Big Texan in Amarillo, TX, you can get one FREE (cooked any way you like) if you can eat it and the baked potato that comes with it in less than one hour.
I'd just sell us to the Chinese
Guess what! Our "beloved leaders" in Congress have already done that. Did you know that China owns most of our $13 trillion national debt? Want to guess when they call in their chips and make us a third world country?