Foreign aid is a sign of strength

For some, President Donald Trump’s border policies and stance on immigration are a show of strength from the U.S. that other leaders are afraid to commit to. However, in the long run, what will really benefit the U.S. is the complete opposite of these isolationist policies.

Most Americans believe the U.S. spends about 20 percent of our budget on foreign aid when in reality, only about 1 percent is given to help the world’s poor. This misconception of how our money is being spent, coupled with Trump’s forceful policies and decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, puts this country in a weak position with regards to national defense and potential GDP growth.

Some of the most successful operations in war-torn countries have been humanitarian aid, not military action. The United States has become too much of a leader on the global stage to start backing down from foreign aid and turning refugees away.

Why should the U.S. help 25,000 starving children all over the world each day? Because we can, and because improving life for the world’s poor means improving our own country at the same time.