WP: Bush has tripled aid to Africa

SenaxFlatulus · #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

WP: Bush has tripled aid to Africa
Advocates give high marks to president

By Michael A. Fletcher
The Washington Post
Updated: 3:53 p.m. CT Dec 31, 2006
President Bush's legacy is sure to be defined by his wielding of U.S. military power in Afghanistan and Iraq, but there is another, much softer and less-noticed effort by his administration in foreign affairs: a dramatic increase in U.S. aid to Africa.

The president has tripled direct humanitarian and development aid to the world's most impoverished continent since taking office and recently vowed to double that increased amount by 2010 -- to nearly $9 billion.

The moves have surprised -- and pleased -- longtime supporters of assistance for Africa, who note that because Bush has received little support from African American voters, he has little obvious political incentive for his interest.

"I think the Bush administration deserves pretty high marks in terms of increasing aid to Africa," said Steve Radelet, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development.

Bush has increased direct development and humanitarian aid to Africa to more than $4 billion a year from $1.4 billion in 2001, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. And four African nations -- Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and Uganda -- rank among the world's top 10 recipients in aid from the United States.

Beyond increasing aid to Africa, Bush has met with nearly three dozen African heads of state during his six years in office. He visited Africa in his first term, and aides say he hopes to make a return visit next year.

Although some activists criticize Bush for not doing more to end the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, others credit him for playing a role in ending deadly conflicts in Liberia, the Congo and other parts of Sudan. Meanwhile, Bush has overseen a steady rise in U.S. trade with Africa, which has doubled since 2001.

"He should be known for increasing -- doubling development assistance and tripling it to Africa after a period in which U.S. development assistance was essentially flat for decades," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a recent interview with the Associated Press. "He should be known for the largest single investment in AIDS and malaria, the biggest health investment of any government program ever."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16412096/

Most of the media seems too preoccupied with celebrating the 3000th dead American Soldier to report on news that was, you know, good for Bush. There's more to the article, I posted the first points that'll no doubt bring on the most negative remarks from the BushBashers.

amepro · #2 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 02:02 PM

You're a liberal.

Jake · #3 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 02:16 PM

I don't know where the writer got that - Bush has already given $15 billion in aid to africa for AIDS. And actually, Bush isn't giving it, working americans are, and it's all going down the rathole of the feckless international AIDS establishment.

Sleepy · #4 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 02:55 PM

Let me see if I can get this straight. Under the Bush Presidency, we gave a substantial amount of support to Africa, funded the military, funded Katrina
clean-up and re-building and haven't had our taxes raised. What's the catch? Come on liberals, tell us all the reasons you need to raise our taxes?
I guess we could use a tax increase to increase funding, for health care and social security for all our illegal aliens.

rockyreagan · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 03:04 PM

[color=red] Honestly I can't say I am proud with Bush over this. He should know by now with such great economic works by Peter Bauer, that foreign aid has a disastrous affect on the population at large. Can't lie I'm very disappointed with Mr. Bush on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Bauer

JP5 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepy";p=&quot

Let me see if I can get this straight. Under the Bush Presidency, we gave a substantial amount of support to Africa, funded the military, funded Katrina
clean-up and re-building and haven't had our taxes raised. What's the catch? Come on liberals, tell us all the reasons you need to raise our taxes?
I guess we could use a tax increase to increase funding, for health care and social security for all our illegal aliens.

GREAT POINT!! All the things you mention, PLUS a great economy, a strong stock market, and a strong job market. Liberals should learn a lesson about how to do it, WITHOUT raising taxes!!!! In fact---while cutting taxes!!

JP5 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyreagan";p=&quot

[color=red] Honestly I can't say I am proud with Bush over this. He should know by now with such great economic works by Peter Bauer, that foreign aid has a disastrous affect on the population at large. Can't lie I'm very disappointed with Mr. Bush on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Bauer

But it's not just "foreign aid." It's the kind of aid that is saving millions of lives in treating AIDS.

President Bush in December of 2005:

"I believe America has a unique ability, and a special calling, to fight this disease. We are blessed with great scientific knowledge. We're a generous country that has always reached out to feed the hungry, and rescue captives, and care for the sick. We are guided by the conviction of our founding -- that the Author of Life has endowed every life with matchless value. "

Metrophobe · #8 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepy";p=&quot

Let me see if I can get this straight. Under the Bush Presidency, we gave a substantial amount of support to Africa, funded the military, funded Katrina
clean-up and re-building and haven't had our taxes raised. What's the catch? Come on liberals, tell us all the reasons you need to raise our taxes?
I guess we could use a tax increase to increase funding, for health care and social security for all our illegal aliens.

Yeah that catch? It's called a "deficit".

Correct me if I'm wrong (Rebellion or Senax or Rocky) but isn't the war off-balance sheet spending as well? Seems a little Enronesque to me.

NJVet · #9 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 04:23 PM

We don't have to worry about paying any
of the deficit off,We'll leave that to our
Grandchilderns,childern. And this great
Economy will tank once China calls in
our debt. Thats what 2007 offers us.
Lets hope I'm wrong. I still don't think
it's fair to burden a generation that isn't
even born yet. That will be the Shrubs
legacy. just some of it, the good part.

Everyone have a Safe and Happy New Year

amepro · #10 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJVet";p=&quot

We don't have to worry about paying any
of the deficit off,We'll leave that to our
Grandchilderns,childern. And this great
Economy will tank once China calls in
our debt. Thats what 2007 offers us.
Lets hope I'm wrong. I still don't think
it's fair to burden a generation that isn't
even born yet. That will be the Shrubs
legacy. just some of it, the good part.

Everyone have a Safe and Happy New Year

The very rich will not be effected by a big deficit. Their grandchildren's children won't feel the effects of a big deficit either. The ones who will suffer from a big deficit are the other 99% of America.

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