Why You Should Speak Out for International Aid

Concern over the fiscal cliff and our increasing national debt has more Americans interested in budget decisions being made in Congress. Congressional leaders will undoubtedly be juggling pressure from various groups to preserve and slash spending. In the shadow of our public economic concern are millions of people who will suffer if international foreign aid spending is reduced. Currently, less than one percent of our budget goes to foreign aid. Even with such a minuscule amount of budget spending, government aid programs have made massive strides in helping to downsize global poverty. Currently, three million lives are saved each year from USAID immunization programs. In contrast, three billion people around the world are living on less than $2.50 a day. People are dying all around the world from preventable diseases and lack of clean water. According to FAO, it would cost $30 billion per year to end world hunger. How much is that compared to the U.S. Military Budget? $530 billion is spent annually on our U.S. military budget. America has the capability to drastically downsize poverty. Downsizing poverty is not only morally sensible but also makes economic sense. Forty-three of the top 50 consumer nations of American agriculture products were once U.S. foreign aid recipients. Developing nations are seen as one of the largest untapped consumer markets, and one way to help bolster our economy is to invest in these future consumers of American goods. For these reasons, I am asking you to help me by contacting your congressional leaders today to fight for poverty reducing aid.

 Find your congressional leaders here.