Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Aid Money

Silver Cheetah · 11-27-2001, 07:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
Just a few interesting points found on the webpage listed in Cheeta's original post.

First, I am not complaining that the US is a poor nation, although we do have our fair share of poverty(by Western not 3rd world terms). Looking at the percentages of humanitarian aid, is only a look at the small picture.

Take a look at the GDP per capita graph! Since the government has to spend a certain amount on every citizen, it has to come into account that a country with a larger population has to spend more. Switzerland had a larger GDP per capita than the US by about $4,000 dollars per citizian, and many EU member are in the same basic range.

A look at the percentages for unemployment shows unemployment in the US is nearly triple the percentage in Japan, which then has to be multiplied by the larger population. All of those people have to be cared for by the government.

I've mentioned it before, but the US has a military budget which few come close to percentage wise, much less in actual money spent. The ability to defend ourselves at home and abroad comes at a high price. There are those who will say stop spending so much then, but our allies benefit from this force as well as we do. I'll also point out that the US provides most of the troops and units in most UN actions. Not saying that as a brag, but those things are not free or even cheap.

Finally, the big money taker. Social Security! Caring for retired, people, the disabled, and those who can't otherwise care for themselves takes about half of the US budget.

This isn't to justify the US in terms of generousity, but it does give a look at the bigger picture. I also wonder if the aid listed on the original chart reflects only monies given to help poor nations, because we have given billions to the Russian's since the fall of the Soviet Union to help stablilize their country, and this is certainly in the interest of the entire world.

Just food for thought [img]smile.gif[/img]

Some interesting points there Ron, thanks, I shall go back and take another look!

Switzerland is indeed a rich country. Most of can't even afford to have a coffee passing through [img]smile.gif[/img] Being the world's banker (well, some elements of it!) is quite lucrative, I do believe. Being a neutral country probably pays dividends also! I should think their arms budget is quite low. Just guessing here........

11-27-2001, 07:28 PM	#120
Silver Cheetah Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 26, 2001 Location: Brighton, East Sussex, UK Posts: 1,781	quote: Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: Just a few interesting points found on the webpage listed in Cheeta's original post. First, I am not complaining that the US is a poor nation, although we do have our fair share of poverty(by Western not 3rd world terms). Looking at the percentages of humanitarian aid, is only a look at the small picture. Take a look at the GDP per capita graph! Since the government has to spend a certain amount on every citizen, it has to come into account that a country with a larger population has to spend more. Switzerland had a larger GDP per capita than the US by about $4,000 dollars per citizian, and many EU member are in the same basic range. A look at the percentages for unemployment shows unemployment in the US is nearly triple the percentage in Japan, which then has to be multiplied by the larger population. All of those people have to be cared for by the government. I've mentioned it before, but the US has a military budget which few come close to percentage wise, much less in actual money spent. The ability to defend ourselves at home and abroad comes at a high price. There are those who will say stop spending so much then, but our allies benefit from this force as well as we do. I'll also point out that the US provides most of the troops and units in most UN actions. Not saying that as a brag, but those things are not free or even cheap. Finally, the big money taker. Social Security! Caring for retired, people, the disabled, and those who can't otherwise care for themselves takes about half of the US budget. This isn't to justify the US in terms of generousity, but it does give a look at the bigger picture. I also wonder if the aid listed on the original chart reflects only monies given to help poor nations, because we have given billions to the Russian's since the fall of the Soviet Union to help stablilize their country, and this is certainly in the interest of the entire world. Just food for thought [img]smile.gif[/img] Some interesting points there Ron, thanks, I shall go back and take another look! Switzerland is indeed a rich country. Most of can't even afford to have a coffee passing through [img]smile.gif[/img] Being the world's banker (well, some elements of it!) is quite lucrative, I do believe. Being a neutral country probably pays dividends also! I should think their arms budget is quite low. Just guessing here........ __________________