…For a century now, the U.S. has led the world on collaboration and impact in health, which has doubled the life expectancy of all of humanity—and delivered similarly outsized results beyond health. If this Administration really wanted to put America first, it would have built on that legacy. Instead, it is demolishing U.S. standing, our world-leading capacity and expertise, and our national security…
— Atul Gawande
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/behind-the-chaotic-attempt-to-freeze-federal-assistance
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/behind-the-chaotic-attempt-to-freeze-federal-assistance
Reading these massive numbers of lives saved by programs we are now ending brings into a new light the decisions our current rulers. "But the agency’s experience reveals what remains at stake—the collective capacity of the American government to pursue the common good." Powerful closing line on regarding a topic that will surely affect many countless lives.
ReplyDeleteSo far, a lot of the moves this President Trump have made the countries and institutes they were directed at capitulate to his demands. This will show short term advantages for USA, however we will have to see how the long term plays out. We may be losing some good will of other countries, but many countries have also been taking advantage of US resources without contributing a fair share. So, the question is if the USA is more responsible for the world or its own citizens as the worlds super-power.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it would be wrong to expect return on investment from places that you're providing aid to. Like, you wouldn't give money to a homeless man and then at some point in the future, expect him to give you money. Dependency theorists argue that wealthy countries wreck political systems in poorer countries to keep wages low. If this is true, to some degree, we owe aid to poorer countries because our lifestyles are propped up by their bad conditions.
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