in case you are a little behind the news, here it is for you: You may as homo have issues entering Indiana in the future (not sure you express interest in Indiana but sexual orientation wise this must be a burning topic for you). The toll booth right at the border may reject you entering the state. Thank Mr. Pence for that.
The only number that matters is "aid per capita" or aid adjusted for GNI. In the latter category, US is nowhere near the top, according to OECD in 2013, US had a ratio of 0.19%, coming in at number 20 in the OECD countries list. Even Portugal contributed more while having very severe economic problems. And should you adjust for the aid given to Israel (I guess Israel can have yet another war so part of the US taxpayer money comes back to US defense firms), the number might look even weaker. I always hear Americans talk about "how much we give", yet factually that is not the case. Of course you can compare US to Nigeria or Pakistan but it's not particularly fair to compare to the 3rd world. For the record, I'm not trying to claim US hasn't done any good, just trying to keep people grounded in the truth or close to it.
Here is a list of countries that receive aid from the US. You mean to tell me that all of it is bribes? None of it does any good? Funny, yes. For the longest time, it was US defense spending that countered Russia for Europe. I think those times are changing. Maybe that's why we heard rumors of an EU army being formed. I think that's a great idea. If you mean the US poking it's "dirty stuffy nose" then you must understand I don't dictate US policy action. I know that might come as a shock to you. I am all for isolationist policy. We don't have that. I wish we did. Is that clear now?
Ah, I should have known better to try to engage in conversation with you. Instantly out come the insults and accusations. Ok, we can return to flame wars. That's more entertaining anyway.
and of course all your dollar blessings that you shower on countries ends up with those who actually need aid and not in the hands of some corrupt regimes that turn around and return your blood dollars in exchange for American weaponry. You are totally delusional my friend. The US turned its back on pretty much every aid program that really targeted the needy. Instead it had no problems whatsoever to send billions down to Egypt or Iran/Persia before if that could tilt the scale on the military and political side. Please educate all of us how that is not the precise definition of bribe and corruption. You people are professionals in brainwashing others. Your disguised aim to promote freedom and democracy is in reality a corrupt system that supports your own defense industry, secures your oil sourcing, and establishes a solid espionage network. And please do not feel bad about me using the term "you". You do not seem to have any problem whatsoever to associate me with some German crimes against humanity that have been committed over 75 years ago. So I think it is justified to associate the American administration (current and former, hence Democrats and Republicans) as legitimate representatives of your country and yourself as voter.
a) your ridiculous table does not show how much the US paid. And d08 is absolutely right: Aid spending by capita shows what a small aid spender the US really is. The only thing I might disagree with him is that if you accounted for aid to Israel this would not only make a small difference but a huge difference. b) agree with you. It is about time the US stopped sneaking around every corner and actually started caring to get their own people off food stamps and into proper health care programs. Think about what good you could do to your own people with all the money that is currently allocated to defense spending. Oh wait, you said the US would do good as isolationist. I wonder just why you even spend money on poking around in Colombian jungles and fight wars in Afghanistan that do not concern you. c) Hmm, if you voted for Ron Paul then we may for once agree on something. He seems to be the only one wanting to pull out of geographic regions that really are not concerning the US whatsoever.
"some German crimes against humanity that have been committed over 75 years ago. " some people have long and unforgiving memories.
Volpunter, the greatest defender of freedom, who doesn't want to allow businesses freedom to chose who they trade with.