USAID is a sh!#show

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3 re-orgs in 5 years. An order back to the office without actual seats for everyone. Constant elevation and then demotion of new, shiny topics. A cadre of young, insular, self-admiring and inexperienced politicals who are there to claim the mantle of others' ideas and kiss the ring for flashy leaders. A movement away from the core development mission and towards hot policy issues. A leader who is obsessed with herself and a team who promotes her every move (look! soccer with poor brown kids!). Meanwhile, a dysfunctional bureaucracy focused on process, sludge, and insider connections that keeps the Agency understaffed and the humans who work there demoralized and over worked.

of course it is

shut the entire agency. today

that is what US voters want.

and stop with the stupid claims about essential work. it doesn't help my children effort health care or buy a house. Stop with giving the taxpayer money to anyone but US citizens.

Take that up with congress. This not the role of the executive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
imagine if Russia or China wanted to help the poor people in Herndon, to further their foreign policy interests.

could you image they come in and provide funds to build housing or improve water or build infrastructure etc. You know the leaders in power will have their hands in the process, taking as much as they can. and the projects would be oriented toward what the powerful want and not what is good for the workers.

USAID is that on a huge scale. The entire department should be eliminated now.

Russia and China and many other countries do this NOW in many countries, and through their work win over allies. If the U.S. pulls out and doesn't make good on promises, not only do we lose the ability to strengthen international ties, we will make enemies and lose the trust of current allies.

If you need food for your children, sign up for food stamps and vote for a democrat who will expand those programs instead of take them away from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
imagine if Russia or China wanted to help the poor people in Herndon, to further their foreign policy interests.

could you image they come in and provide funds to build housing or improve water or build infrastructure etc. You know the leaders in power will have their hands in the process, taking as much as they can. and the projects would be oriented toward what the powerful want and not what is good for the workers.

USAID is that on a huge scale. The entire department should be eliminated now.

Russia and China and many other countries do this NOW in many countries, and through their work win over allies. If the U.S. pulls out and doesn't make good on promises, not only do we lose the ability to strengthen international ties, we will make enemies and lose the trust of current allies.

If you need food for your children, sign up for food stamps and vote for a democrat who will expand those programs instead of take them away from you.

This whole argument is a distraction but yes, China is massively invested in Africa, for instance. They’re already filling our void. These PPs are trolls or morons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

I suggest you read about WWI and WWIi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

I suggest you read about WWI and WWIi.

And also keep up with the politics in Slovakia (formerly half of Czechoslovakia). Fico elected and strong split internally between those who want to stay in the EU and those who want to cooperate with Russia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

It's not just about war. My DC is an LGBTQIA community member. In many countries in the world she is unwelcome and even considered a criminal subject to harsh punishment, even death. I personally appreciate the way the USG promotes LGBTQIA tolerance globally. It makes the world safer in the long run for LGBTQIA US citizens. Furthermore, I certainly don't think my tax dollars should be neutral or supportive of global anti-LGBTQIA sentiment.

It is the same type of rights promotion work the USG has done globally for decades on behalf of women - anti-violence against women, pro right to work, pro access to full spectrum healthcare, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they shut USAID down then it wouldn't change or affect US citizens or residents in any way so why keep it running. Place employees somewhere else.

Whether USAID should exist is a foreign policy question, separate from whether it is doing what it was designed to do, but I'll go ahead anyway on the foreign policy question.

We live in an interconnected world. Diseases don't stop at the border. Economic prosperity doesn't stop at the border. Do you want more refugees fleeing from war, famine, rampant crime and corruption fleeing to other countries in such numbers that the region is destabilized? Do you want more lawless states that breed terrorism? Do you want more terrorist organizations winning the hearts and minds of people by providing basic social services (clean water, safety, education, jobs)?
The world is safer the more secure everyone is in that world. It might not effect you tomorrow if USAID shuts down, but it will effect you eventually.

Agree and this article explains the ramifications well: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/397399/usaid-omb-purge-government-agency-spending-leave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

I suggest you read about WWI and WWIi.

They didn’t go to war over gay pride parades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

It's not just about war. My DC is an LGBTQIA community member. In many countries in the world she is unwelcome and even considered a criminal subject to harsh punishment, even death. I personally appreciate the way the USG promotes LGBTQIA tolerance globally. It makes the world safer in the long run for LGBTQIA US citizens. Furthermore, I certainly don't think my tax dollars should be neutral or supportive of global anti-LGBTQIA sentiment.

It is the same type of rights promotion work the USG has done globally for decades on behalf of women - anti-violence against women, pro right to work, pro access to full spectrum healthcare, etc.

YOU pay for it (not me) and advocate for your pet projects on your own with your kid if it means so much to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
imagine if Russia or China wanted to help the poor people in Herndon, to further their foreign policy interests.

could you image they come in and provide funds to build housing or improve water or build infrastructure etc. You know the leaders in power will have their hands in the process, taking as much as they can. and the projects would be oriented toward what the powerful want and not what is good for the workers.

USAID is that on a huge scale. The entire department should be eliminated now.

Russia and China and many other countries do this NOW in many countries, and through their work win over allies. If the U.S. pulls out and doesn't make good on promises, not only do we lose the ability to strengthen international ties, we will make enemies and lose the trust of current allies.

If you need food for your children, sign up for food stamps and vote for a democrat who will expand those programs instead of take them away from you.

This whole argument is a distraction but yes, China is massively invested in Africa, for instance. They’re already filling our void. These PPs are trolls or morons.

China is investing in infrastructure, mining and cheap labor activities in Africa and not for community good. They are providing loans through their Govt banks and it comes with strings attached.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

It's not just about war. My DC is an LGBTQIA community member. In many countries in the world she is unwelcome and even considered a criminal subject to harsh punishment, even death. I personally appreciate the way the USG promotes LGBTQIA tolerance globally. It makes the world safer in the long run for LGBTQIA US citizens. Furthermore, I certainly don't think my tax dollars should be neutral or supportive of global anti-LGBTQIA sentiment.

It is the same type of rights promotion work the USG has done globally for decades on behalf of women - anti-violence against women, pro right to work, pro access to full spectrum healthcare, etc.

You can't expect Govt to spend billions every year because your DC wants to feel welcomes in some of the countries that he/she would visit for a week or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

It's not just about war. My DC is an LGBTQIA community member. In many countries in the world she is unwelcome and even considered a criminal subject to harsh punishment, even death. I personally appreciate the way the USG promotes LGBTQIA tolerance globally. It makes the world safer in the long run for LGBTQIA US citizens. Furthermore, I certainly don't think my tax dollars should be neutral or supportive of global anti-LGBTQIA sentiment.

It is the same type of rights promotion work the USG has done globally for decades on behalf of women - anti-violence against women, pro right to work, pro access to full spectrum healthcare, etc.

You can't expect Govt to spend billions every year because your DC wants to feel welcomes in some of the countries that he/she would visit for a week or so.

You are the first to suggest the government spend billions on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Department of State grant (2024)

Amount: $22,992

Recipient: Prague Pride Z.S.

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to organize the Prague pride parade. This March is part of the Celebration and support of the LGBT+ community in Czechia.

Country: Czechia

How does this protect Americans?

Because societies that are more open and accepting of cultural minorities (of any variety) tend to be less hostile and less likely to go to war.

You think Czechia is going to go to war? lol

It's not just about war. My DC is an LGBTQIA community member. In many countries in the world she is unwelcome and even considered a criminal subject to harsh punishment, even death. I personally appreciate the way the USG promotes LGBTQIA tolerance globally. It makes the world safer in the long run for LGBTQIA US citizens. Furthermore, I certainly don't think my tax dollars should be neutral or supportive of global anti-LGBTQIA sentiment.

It is the same type of rights promotion work the USG has done globally for decades on behalf of women - anti-violence against women, pro right to work, pro access to full spectrum healthcare, etc.

You can't expect Govt to spend billions every year because your DC wants to feel welcomes in some of the countries that he/she would visit for a week or so.

The government is not spending billions a year on LGBTQIA issues globally. PP is talking about support for one event in Czechoslovakia. LGBTQIA kids are IS citizens also not "pet projects".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USAID does have a Buy America policy.

Yes, but a lot of the programs have legislative authority to get around it.

Which means Congress has directed USAID to do something, not that USAID is trying to seal something past taxpayers. If USAID didn’t use those authorities (given by Congress) they would be accused of wasting taxpayer money.

USAID was born by JFK’s pen, not Congress. It can be subsumed by State.