LDRship Podcast - Episode 15: Foreign Aid

Episode 15 - Foreign Aid: Wherein we discuss the usefulness of US providing foreign aid to other countries.

00:00:11 - Introductions

00:02:06 - Non-military foreign aid helps us avoid conflict

00:03:18 - The 4-star General says if he had one more dollar to invest...

00:04:11 - What if you don't have one more dollar?

00:05:34 - Zeroing it out wouldn't solve our fiscal issues...

00:06:04 - Who do we want to be as a country?

00:06:59 - America benefits from helping others too

00:07:53 - De ja vu from a previous episode

00:09:11 - Pushback from the Libertarian

00:11:22 - Can we sustain this spending long term?

00:11:56 - We should be looking at the big ticket items and not small change

00:13:33 - This conversation is not about the USAID controversies

00:14:14 - We should prioritize our spending; small change adds up

00:16:02 - We can cut things now, get our budget in order, and add them back in

00:19:21 - You're looking at people's lives as Lattes

00:21:12 - Cutting programs like a bull in a china shop

00:23:47 - We shouldn't be nation building...

00:25:35 - The juice has to be worth the squeeze

00:26:19 - The US is the largest contributor to foreign aid in the world

00:27:57 - The recent spike in foreign aid is an anomaly

00:29:46 - Do we want to be the kind of people who let children starve?

00:30:33 - No one has faith that money will go to help Americans

00:32:55 - What are the different types of foreign aid and should we do them?

00:34:11 - The benefits of economic development aid

00:35:38 - We need to cut funding to programs that fail to produce results

00:37:05 - Refugees at the southern border are seeking economic asylum

00:38:33 - When we do nothing, we're still affected

00:39:01 - We're not against foreign aid; it just needs proper checks and balances

00:42:00 - The way the current administration is going about cuts...

00:44:00 - Musk destroys everything and rebuilds from the ground up

00:45:42 - Once something is in government it seems to stay

00:48:16 - You gotta do your homework before you make cuts

00:51:58 - The inertia of government

00:53:44 - Has "Peace & Security" aid actually hurt America?

00:56:54 - The first "America First" policy didn't work...

00:59:12 - Peace & Security will always have unintended consequences

01:00:14 - We're not the only country that can contribute aid

01:02:41 - We've conditioned the world that the US will take care of it

01:05:00 - Wrap-up and what's been making us happy

----------The LDRship Podcast: the podcast where we bring together voices from all sides of the political spectrum for thoughtful, civil discussion. Here we engage in real conversations with viewpoints from Libertarian, Democrat, and Republican backgrounds, tackling the issues that shape the hearts and minds of everyday Americans.

Our goal is to bridge divides, foster understanding, and create an upbeat, respectful space for serious topics. Whether you’re passionate about policy or just looking for a fresh perspective, we’re here to lead the way.