Well, if you look at it as actual dollars, as I pointed out, non military aid from the US government and US private companies is $50 billion per year. I think $50 billion is almost .5% of GDP.
The reason this matters is that American tax payers get a dollar for dollar deduction against their income for charitable contributions. I don't think the AMT applies to this deduction, either (not positive).
The US federal government could give a higher percentage, which would mean taking it from the taxpayer, paying USAID to administer it, and then sending what's left over to the needy. Or, do as we do now, send it directly.
About half of our own family's charitable contributions go to foreign recipients. I like donating to the Heifer Organization, it gives me a kick to send a Christmas card to family and friends letting them know I donated a hive of bees or some goats and so forth in their name, and they like it too.
Let's see, there's also Doctors Without Frontiers, Voice of the Martyrs, Amnesty International, Lutheran World Relief, Salvation Army, various groups in Iraq and Afghanistan. Better them than Uncle Sam.
We aren't going to stop, and we don't expect thanks, but it is nice to get reports that our money is helping. Uncle Sam never sends thank you notes. ;^) |
