Discussing and Debating With a Liberal

[MikeBjerum]

My education and experience in technical writing tells me that for the purpose of clarity and brevity I should replace "discussing and debating" with the simple, factual, and less wordy "arguing."

We were discussing government cuts, and USAID came up. I have been looking at this one and came up with what I think is a logical modification.  I read an article that Bill Gates foundation could not fund the $8.5 billion cut when the department was defunded. I agree that some of what USAID did was good and valuable, but the waste and abuse in other areas defeated the good. So, how do we help the less fortunate in other nations when looking at this large sum?

340.4 million people in the US today.
$8.5 billion needed.
Government agency no longer available.

$9 billion divided by 300 million equals $30 per person.

10 - The number in our family (wife, me, daughter, son, two spouses, four grandchildren).

Can the wife and I write a check once a year for $300 to help those in need anywhere in the world? Can our children do the same?

Not all people in the nation are able to write a $30 check, but that is why I rounded the numbers the way I did (raise more money with fewer people) and I used an example of how little it takes to cover far more than what the wife and I are accounted for in the math.

Oh No! There is no inefficient agency! What about the many very efficient religious and secular organizations that already do this. Agencies that were getting grants from a portion of USAID funds.

I know of two agencies that are already established and well respected worldwide, and they operate with very, VERY, low overhead.

As we take the ugly and glutenous middleman, US government, out of the picture, take out your checkbook and support what, who, and where you have a passion for.

Apparently, my point (argument in the eyes of others) made too much sense, because then the whining started - "What about all the government workers who have been fired?"

I accept the fact that while the government is still taking the higher taxes from me, I will be spending more to give to those in need. However, we have dug a hole that now means we are going to feel some discomfort while we repair the damage. Like my knee replacement. I destroyed my knee, and before it would feel better, I needed to go through a period of limitations and more painful experiences, but after a short period I am far better off than years ago.

[Big Frank]

One can feel glutinous if one is gluttonous with glutenous food products, so it does behoove one to pace oneself.   Small typo, big point made.

[alfsauve]

A study a while back, and no, sorry I don’t have the link, concluded that the more government took over charitable causes, the less the public would voluntarily contribute to NGOs doing the same work.  Actually in general the less the average person felt inclined toward any charitable causes.