Charity With Some Clarity

WHERE Did You Say You Sent My Money?So, we are looking at at least $30 billion of your
Jews have always been suckers for anyone or anymoney, Mr. and Mrs. Liberal Jewish Contributors to
organization that holds out a tin cup. You'll always seeCharities, going to the above places. How many of
Jewish names at the top of donor lists, and this is athem would you approve, if you had that option?
good thing. Giving to charities is an opportunity forProbably not many, especially when you factor in the
people to feel good about themselves, as well asfindings by independent observers that much of this
maybe saving an Ethiopian kid's life.money never gets to where it was supposed to go,
I remember being on a New York City subway, in thebut ends up in foreign government officials' secret
dead of winter, and opposite me sat an elderly blackbank accounts.
guy, with gray hair and beard, clearly not a member ofNow, let's go for the jugular. If our government knows
a Country Club, and definitely in need of anything thatthat a great deal of this "aid" money doesn't aid
would keep him warm. He was shivering. Even thoughanyone but corrupt officials, why do we keep doing it?
the subway car was heated, the cold having gotten allHere are the definitions of two words that will set you
the way to the marrow of his bones.thinking:
With no conscious thought behind it, I found that I hadDEFINITION OF CHARITY
gotten up and crossed the aisle between us and1. Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
wrapped my scarf around his neck. I said not a word2. Something given to help the needy; alms.
to him and he not one to me. Our eyes met for a3. An institution, organization, or fund established to help
second, no more, probably less, and that was it. I wentthe needy.
back to my seat and the train continued on its rumbling4. Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward
way. Years later I thought about that incident, andhumanity.
realized that it must have been something my motherDEFINITION OF BRIBERY
taught me that made me do what I did that day.1. Something, such as money or a favor, offered or
I think Jewish mothers automatically teach their kids togiven to a person in a position of trust to influence that
be concerned about others' welfare. It's the Chickenperson's views or conduct.
Soup syndrome. This has spawned generations of2. Something serving to influence or persuade.
what have become Liberal Democratic Jews, whoForeign Aid only makes sense if you call it what it is,
automatically cross aisles to do good for others. Thewhich is Bribery, which is intended to hold the recipient
problem comes in when their donations are made bycountries hostage, to make them follow "suggested"
the government, of THEIR money, and without anyU.S. government policies, or the money stops. One
input from them. The money they have worked hardwould have hoped that a president elected on a
for, ends up in many cases, far from where it wascampaign slogan of "Change," might have changed this
intended to go, and for reasons they would nevercorrupt situation, but no hope or help there,
approve.unfortunately. Apparently, he is rubber stamping this
For example, our foreign aid budget for 2009, the firstprogram, as he has done with so many other Bush
year of the Obama Democratic Administration, breaksprograms.
down like this. This is an incomplete list, but for ourThe only hope for even a small change lies with you,
purposes, it'll do:the liberal Jewish Charity givers. Take notice where
Virtually all of this money is used to buy weapons (upyour money is going, and for what, and scream like hell
to 75% made in the U.S.).if you're not happy about it. Long term, it is to be hoped
1. Beginning in 2009, the U.S. plans to give $30 billionthat you will also set aside your knee jerk support for
over 10 years.horrendous policies of our liberal governments, and
2. Egypt $1.7 billion $1.3 billion to buy weapons; $103start thinking for yourselves.
million for education; $74 million for health care; $45What I've found to be the key to unlocking the
million to promote civic participation and human rights.mysteries of many subjects is asking the right
3. Pakistan $798 million $330 million for security efforts,question(s). It is usually the unasked one that THEY
including military-equipment upgrades and borderdon't want you to notice. For example, on foreign aid,
security; $20 million for infrastructure.our elected rulers will grudgingly address your
4. Jordan $688 million $326 million to fight terrorism andquestions on how much and where your money is
promote regional stability through equipment upgradesgoing. What they will hate to hear from you is you
and training; $163 million cash payment to the Jordanianquestioning the entire basis for foreign aid, when we
government.have malnourished children in America, and our
5. Kenya $586 million $501 million to fight HIV/AIDSfarmers selling their land to developers because they
through drug treatment and abstinence education andcan't support their families by farming anymore, and
to combat malaria; $15 million for agriculturalschools without equipment with which to properly
development; $5.4 million for programs that promoteteach the kids, and homeless families living in a car, or
government accountability.on the street.
6. South Africa $574 million $557 million to fight TB andWhen you watch those TV ads created by admirable
HIV/AIDS; $3 million for education.private charities that DO keep Ethiopian kids from
7. Mexico $551 millionstarving, the twelve-year-olds' on-screen tears could
8. Colombia $541 millionjust as easily be those of a kid in Chicago, but Chicago
9. Nigeria $491 millionis not on the aid list because we don't have to bribe
10. Sudan $479 millionthem to let the government establish a military base
*Source: Estimates based on figures and documentsthere. And you sent my money WHERE?
from the U.S. Department of State.