Dear presidential candidate,
I consider myself a good citizen and a patriot. I take pride in my country and care about the well-being of my fellow Americans. I want America to prosper. I hope that the United States will be a global leader for good, far into the 21st century.
I also care about the poor and vulnerable around the globe, especially women and children. The United States is a generous nation, full of the most generous people in the world. We must maintain this generous spirit and continue fighting for a better world.
How we spend our federal dollars reflects our values as a nation. Poverty-focused programs help build a better world and ensure a safer future for us. We know that diseases know no boundaries and that hunger and poverty lead to instability. We can help prevent these conditions.
As a voter and potential supporter of your candidacy, I’m asking you to declare your commitment to America’s foreign assistance programs. I trust that you believe, as I do, that reducing global hunger and disease is in our national interest.
Today, hundreds of thousands of people in Africa and around the world are alive because of America’s historic commitment to fight HIV and AIDS. This is just one among countless examples of how the United States can be a force for good in the world.
As president, I ask that you reaffirm our commitment to fighting global poverty and disease. While the budget deficit is a moral issue, so is saving the lives of children.
Right now, we spend less than 1 percent on global poverty-focused programs. While I recognize that times are tight, I strongly believe that we must protect this very small yet extremely effective part of the federal budget.
Please publicly declare your support for maintaining funding for life-saving foreign assistance programs and demonstrate your leadership as an advocate for vulnerable children around the world.
Sincerely,
A concerned American
Do you agree? Send your preferred candidate a message and share your views.
I think there should be more of a focus on encouraging individuals to send support through organizations like WV. I’m rather libertarian, so I don’t think that it’s the government’s job to have these sorts of programs long-term. However, I also recognize that the government is merely stepping into the void left by no-longer generous citizens. It is certainly a complicated problem, but I know a balance can be reached. (Does that even make sense? Feeling rather jumbled at the moment.)
This is and has been an ongoing problem for decades, although it IS exciting to see that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rates have actually been dropping and praise goes to many organizations and education platforms, designed to make a difference in/for this nation of many and varied needs! One such organization that has earned the favor of at least 10 African nations’ presidents, is Rafiki (www.rafiki-foundation.org)- as they not only offer classical education and homes for orphans (10 per cottage with a native mama), and work training for young women, men and widows, they also provide Christian curriculum to parochial schools there. Send this type of effective organization your encouragement and also plan to support some of these orphans, as they are destined to become leaders for healthy change there!
GH, I completely agree with you. Key phrase in your response, Peter, “when done right”. I would venture to say that U.S. Government rarely does foreign aid, “right”, especially compared with private christian organizations. And remember, forcing anyone (via taxation) to give aid to someone else is not the equivalent of biblical giving with a joyful heart. In fact, it could be more closely equated to the sin of stealing.