2 questions:why do we bribe countries and

[riverrine19]

why do we not reign in foreign aid?

[C_U_L8R]

1. I suppose we bribe countries

because no one likes us or respects us anymore.

There is no good will for the bad guy.

[Laelth]

2. Hard to know if this question is being asked seriously ...

... but, if it is, here's the quick answer I'd offer:

We bribe countries with foreign aid because we want them to do certain things or aid us in certain ways. Foreign aid is for the benefit of the USA, not the country to which the aid is given.

And we give foreign aid because that's a much cheaper way to get what we want than invading a country, like Iraq. Invasions and bullying tactics are always vastly more expensive than a little well-negotiated foreign aid.

We don't reign in foreign aid for two reasons. First, it's incredibly useful. It ends up being a very good investment for the American people. Second, the amount we actually spend on foreign aid is minuscule. It amounts to less than one percent of the entire budget of the Federal Government. "Reigning in" foreign aid would do nothing to fix the budgetary problems of the government.

Hope that helps. :)

And, welcome to DU. :hi:

-Laelth


Edit:Laelth--diction.

[htuttle]

3. Most of the bribes and aid tend to be in the service of US corporations

In fact, nearly our whole foreign policy has been at the service of what used to be 'US Corporations', though now many of them are legally headquartered on small, tax-free, Caribbean islands.

So, 'Why not reign in foreign aid?' Because that aid might help Exxon or Monsanto make a few billion more on foreign sales and contracts, that's why. And that's pretty much been US foreign policy since the early 1900's. The only case I can think of it being different is the beginning of WWII. Many of those corporations would rather have had us join the other side, since they were already making money there.

[Moderator]

4. locking...

The author is no longer with us.