Supports Int’l Affairs Budget


When confronted with the issue of national security, the natural solution appears to be to simply to invest in a stronger military. However, as the famous saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

This is precisely why real-life examples, the U.S. military and experienced politicians support investing in foreign aid as a cheaper, more effective and less violent solution to U.S. national security issues.

Foreign aid plays an integral part in preventing terrorism. In the late 1980s, Congressman Charlie Wilson unsuccessfully urged the U.S. to invest in improving education and quality of life in Afghanistan, arguing that hopelessness and lack of education will lead people to be susceptible to brainwashing and extremism.

He was right. In the following years, radical groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, were able to take over and plan 9/11, which killed nearly 3,000 Americans. To quote Senator Lindsey Graham, “The worst nightmare for al Qaeda is to come into a community that feels supported and has hope.”

Not only is foreign aid effective, but it is also much cheaper. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. spends less than 1% of its annual budget on foreign aid. For some perspective, the average American spends more on jewelry or sporting events per year than they do on foreign aid through taxes.

The U.S. military recognizes that this money is necessary and well spent. As former secretary of defense James Mattis states, “If you don’t fund the state department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.”

Hearing this, I hope that you will invest in the security of our nation by supporting an increase in the budget for the International Affairs Budget. Simply visit www.borgenproject.org/ action-center to email your congressional leaders on the matter. It pre-writes your email for you and takes less than a minute.

Having talked with congressional leaders and their offices, we have found that often only seven emails will sway a congressional leader’s vote, so your email will go a long way in ensuring the prosperity of the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Florence Wang
Oak Park