The Trump administration has effectively ended America’s help to people across the world hit by disasters. As the leading economy and preeminent power in the world, America leads. Part of that leadership is helping people in a crisis who don’t get help from any other source.
We lead militarily with the most advanced and lethal armed forces ever assembled. We lead politically by demonstrating how democracy works. We lead economically by creating the most innovative and wealthy economy in the world. We lead morally by extending a helping hand to people around the world who have been failed by their governments and need extra help to survive. Countries and people that accumulate great wealth have an obligation to help those less fortunate both inside and outside the USA. But beyond that moral call, aid to other countries makes Amercans stronger, more prosperous and safer.
What is the American aid system?
Our country has a proud tradition of helping other countries less fortunate and powerful than ourselves. The Marshall Plan saved lives and restored Europe and Japan following World War II. The foreign assistance act of 1962 made that help a legal part of what it is to be an American. In the beginning, we helped people primarily hit by natural disasters like floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. But during the post 911 Iraq and Afghanistan, and with instability wars spreading in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and West Africa, our help went to people trying to survive these wars.
The argument: but we have our own problems, so we can’t help others
It is easy to look inward at America and see our problems. Our country is divided politically. The economy leaves out some people, putting some families in a cycle of debt and crisis that is unacceptable. When faced with these issues it is easy to claim that we should look inward and focus only on solving the problems for these Americans who are hurting.
Don’t fall for this way of thinking. This is an ‘either / or’ choice that doesn’t stack up in the real world. We have more than enough attention, money and smarts to take care of both of these issues. These challenges persist in America because they are hard and there is not an easy solution to poverty, substance abuse, healthcare, economic disruption or any other challenge we face.
The moral case for aid
As the leading democracy in the world, we have developed a moral code that drives our society. Our constitution, bill of rights and economy is the envy of the world. At the basis of these concepts is our way of living and acting. As Americans, we believe that all people have rights, and deserve to pursue happiness. Helping people in other countries by freely giving aid where it is needed shows that we have the moral authority and power to act on these ideas across the world.
As a nation founded on Christian values we demonstrate with our international aid the golden rule of treating others as we would want to be treated. The inherent power of human life demands that as moral and religious people we help others. We have also built up great wealth and prosperity. That creates a moral requirement to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
Aid makes America more prosperous
It is easy to take the conditions of our daily lives for granted. The peace that we enjoy as Americans, the access to good food, low cost electronics and amazing vehicles. All this is delivered by the world’s smarts, free flow of ideas, people, money and trade. Aid operations directly contribute to making America stronger by creating the conditions that we need to have a peaceful and stable world.
When we help people in other countries whose governments have failed them, they survive. They remember the help that came with the American flag on the label, and they eventually become our friends. They recover from disasters and participate in the world’s economy, both making things that we buy, and buying the things we make. This virtuous cycle benefits everyone but it especially helps Americans.
Aid makes America stronger
Aid is one part of what keeps America strong. When a war or a climate related disaster hits a country, we respond with our military, our diplomats, and our aid operation. These are all parts of the same system. The military can defeat our enemies, our embassies create alliances, and our aid operators save lives and stabilize economies that improve our status as the preeminent power in the world. While other countries like China are increasing in education, economy and military status, America is still the undisputed leader in these areas and aid helps keep us at the top. It demonstrates our authority and ability to intervene. It shows that we care about other places and want to lend a hand. It gives us experience and connection to a place that increases our knowledge and ability to know the people, the economies and the land to make choices, trade deals and cultural connections that keep America stronger.
Aid makes America safer
When we help other countries with aid, we make Americans safer. We are connected by a global economy and personal travel like no other time in human history. Dangerous diseases don’t respect our borders. Our aid operations fight things like ebola and polio wherever they crop up around the world before they hit us here at home. We send people and money to countries fighting authoritarian governments so that democracy and commerce can thrive. We help people recovering from war and climate disasters so that their country does not tip into anarchy that requires more money and attention from the USA later.
What can you and I do about it?
Americans can call and write to your representative explaining how America’s aid is morally correct while also making us stronger, safer and more prosperous.
Here is a link to the Friends of USAID channel on Instagram that links to scripts that you can use, with a strong dose of humor.
Talk to your friends and family about why aid matters. There is a sentiment within the MAGA movement that if problems exist in America it is wrong to help people in other countries. While I understand that argument, things are never that simple. We have to help people here at home and people abroad who need our help. We are one human race and we clearly have the means and ability to help everyone who needs this support.
Rivanna Strategy 