USAID. US tax dollars support universal healthcare for OTHER nations, but, not for all US citizens.

[blm]

Between defense dollars and USAID packages that include healthcare dollars, we are subsidizing not just assistance with healthcare, but, subsidizing the universal healthcare plans for many of these nations.

I am FINE with that, but, believe that our tax dollars need to be targeting our OWN people's access to healthcare, as well.

USAID talks about our 'true character as a nation' while many of its staunchest supporters in the Senate vote against or OBSTRUCT the funding of our own citizens' healthcare needs.

Guess when it comes to our 'true character as a nation' we are no different than the parents who publicly donate and pray in church on Sundays while starving and neglecting their families behind closed doors the rest of the week.

What a country!

http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/

This Is USAID

The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world -- and shows the world our true character as a nation.

U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world. Spending less than one-half of 1 percent of the federal budget, USAID works around the world to achieve these goals.

USAID's history goes back to the Marshall Plan reconstruction of Europe after World War Two and the Truman Administration's Point Four Program. In 1961, the Foreign Assistance Act was signed into law and USAID was created by executive order.

Since that time, USAID has been the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.

USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Our Work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting:

* economic growth, agriculture and trade;
* global health; and,
* democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

We provide assistance in five regions of the world:

* Sub-Saharan Africa;
* Asia;
* Latin America and the Caribbean,
* Europe and Eurasia; and
* The Middle East.

With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID's strength is its field offices around the world. We work in close partnership with private voluntary organizations, indigenous organizations, universities, American businesses, international agencies, other governments, and other U.S. government agencies. USAID has working relationships with more than 3,500 American companies and over 300 U.S.-based private voluntary organizations.

[NightWatcher]

1. time to pull a "Conch Republic"?

When INS and Border Patrol set up checkpoints north of Key West on Hwy 1, a group advocated and seceded from the US government, declared war, surrendered on the same day, and filed for foreign aid.

At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!
http://www.conchrepublic.com/history.htm

[blm]

2. Time for our OWN Mouse That Roared moment?

.

[AzDar]

3. K & R

[chill_wind]

4. It's something, isn't it? K & R.

[Octafish]

5. I like how TARP billions went to overseas banks, too.

We could've used a bit o' help a while back. We need a lot more now.

[blm]

9. USAID website also boasts of funding education and healthcare for the Middle East.

Middle East
Overview

USAID operates seven country programs and a regional program in the Middle East and North Africa. Stretching from continental Asia to Africa, this region has enormous potential for economic growth and development.
Challenges

A wide range of social and economic challenges continue to affect the Middle East and North Africa. Nearly half of the region’s population is under age 24. Inadequate educational and employment opportunities for this large youth population contribute to internal instability. Poor prospects for long-term health and prosperity reinforce intolerance and extremism and provide fertile ground for unrest.

Weak democratic institutions in many countries in the region fail to provide citizens with ways to actively participate in the decision-making that affects their lives. In Iraq and West Bank/Gaza, continued conflict poses serious obstacles to development.

USAID's Response

To address concerns about joblessness among the rapidly growing populations of many Middle Eastern countries, USAID implements programs that stimulate economic opportunities through trade facilitation, infrastructure improvements and business development. USAID also works to expand the horizons of Middle Eastern youth by making quality education available to more students. USAID health programs help to raise living standards, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children. Finally, USAID’s governance programs aim to cultivate strong local, regional and national institutions that will be able to provide reliable services to citizens. Each country program is guided by a multi-year strategic plan that identifies the sectors in which USAID will work and estimated levels of funding.

>>>>>

GOP and obstructionist Democrats like Joe Lieberman LOVE to fund OTHER countries' healthcare, education and job needs. Maybe progressive Dems should put OUR universal healthcare in a proposal to USAID.

[arcadian]

6. USAID is the CIA

It's a smaller version of the WorldBank and IMF. Predatory capitalists, slash & burn programs in the third world that dump riches on the elites of a third world country as they sign over their natural resources.

[Generator]

12. Two words

Obama's mama. Couldn't resist. I will say no more.

[UTUSN]

7. K&R #8 n/t

[EFerrari]

8. USAID is used to subvert other governments.

[blm]

10. I know....

,

[EFerrari]

11. Of course you do.

Lol, why do I post before my brain wakes up?