Good Foreign Aid Helps U.S. Taxpayers
By Lorne Craner (Deseret News)
In the best of times, most Americans are skeptical of foreign aid. Many believe that a large portion of their taxes is sent abroad, to be wasted in corrupt foreign countries.
Despite such skepticism, America has a long, well-reasoned tradition of helping the less fortunate in foreign lands. The events of 9/11 reinforced the truism that what happens in poor, remote countries can have real consequences here at home.
But particularly, in these days of economic distress, if we are truly to make a difference in poor countries, our tax dollars must be spent effectively ?— with the goal that, ultimately, they will not be needed.