# The US is stingy? WTF??? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 28, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922 "2004-12-28T13:36:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/121 "2004-12-30T03:10:21Z")
Hey if we are really that stingy, we should stop throwing money to the UN, so we can lower our taxes. Really it just shows their opinion is not worth anything and shoudl just be ignored. Also to the yahoo who said that 40 mil for W is to much, well lets put it this way, Clinton got less votes, Clinton got less % of the votes and Clinton spent more. This is a non-issue, politically motivated. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/122 "2004-12-30T03:19:36Z")
Clinton’s elections had three major candidates, not one, so the % doesn’t mean anything. He won far more electoral votes than the chimp ever did. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/123 "2004-12-30T06:36:13Z")
Best summary of how the conservative nutjob machine lies it’s way into yet another excuse to grind axes on talk shows around the nation: [http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200453#1326](http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200453#1326) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/124 "2004-12-30T10:50:43Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Really it just shows their opinion is not worth anything and shoudl just be ignored. You didn’t pay attention: the news story, and therefore the OP, are both complete fabrication. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/125 "2004-12-30T11:00:49Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > The UK has now upped its pledge to $15 million. Which is just a start, I hope. A small point but that’s fifteen million QUID - ie about double, also we are major contributors to the EUs gift of £22m, that’s without private donations. I was in a normal bank branch yesterday (Barclays, Hammersmith) and there were a large number of people making donations over the counter, and there was a televised appeal last night so this private source is significant. However this shouldn’t be a pissing contest about money, it should be a time for countries to put their differences aside (eg India and Sri Lanka) and get on with rebuilding. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/126 "2004-12-30T16:00:25Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > My employer, GE just donated $1 million. > But I’m not sure the US government should be giving any money, it might just be another instance of us ‘nation building’. :rolleyes: [Pfizer](http://www.pfizer.com/are/news_releases/2004pr/mn_2004_1229.html) just added to the American pledge with $35 million. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/127 "2004-12-30T18:50:24Z")
Hey, we have the reputation to be stingy. I really can’t let this go… From: [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002135117\_quakebush30.html](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002135117_quakebush30.html) Denmark and the Netherlands ranked No. 1. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/128 "2004-12-30T21:33:40Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > How much would satisfy you as to the purity of the admin’s motives to help out a stricken region of the world and what would be the “correct” amount? I say we match the amount that we are currently dumping down the Iraqi rathole (about $200 million per **DAY** ). Better yet, let’s take the money we are currently dumping down the Iraqi rathole (around $200 million per **DAY** ) and instead spend that money rebuilding South Asia. It would be a far better way of increasing our national security. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/129 "2004-12-30T22:36:59Z")
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a “pissing contest” over who can be the most generous. Blair: We’ll give $35 million! Bush: Fuck you, limey! We’ll give $70 million! Chirac: You are both zee stingy pikers! We will give zee $70 million! Bush: So what, thats the same as we’re giving! Chirac: We are giving zee Euros. Not _le change chump_ dollars! ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/130 "2004-12-31T05:06:11Z")
hehehehe 🙂 I have to say that the first - actually on the spot - help, with fresh water etc., came from the Americans. The money raised in the Netherlands will probably have to go through 257 different hands before it gets where it belongs. [_if_ it gets where it belongs] This was good work, America. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/131 "2004-12-31T05:49:25Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Hey if we are really that stingy, we should stop throwing money to the UN, so we can lower our taxes. How much do you think we actually give to the UN? I’m just talking about the portion of funds that we are obligated to pay the UN by virtue of the US being a member of that body, not voluntary contributions to things like UNICEF and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Voodoochile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/898d66/32.png) [@Voodoochile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voodoochile)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/132 "2004-12-31T06:42:44Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > Personally, I’d rather donate my money where I see fit instead of paying additional taxes to a governmental agency that sends diminished returns for assistance. Apparently, we are dispised for sending little governmental assistance (which will be billions anyways), but with lower taxes, the American people have the resources to send larger amounts on a more personal level instead. I actually feel better doing it myself instead of paying additional taxes and wondering if the full amount is actually going to be spent there, or somewhere else. Absolutely right on. I will decide who I help and who I dont, thank you very much. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/133 "2004-12-31T10:38:36Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s a European standard, this percentage that’s used," Natsios said. "The United States, for 40 years, has never accepted these standards that it should be based on the gross national product. We base it on the actual dollars that we spent. Amen to that. When it comes to charitry, the only thing that matters is **absolute dollars** , _not_ “percentage of giving.” If you were poor, would you rather receive 10% of _my_ net worth or 0.01% of Bill Gates’ net worth? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/134 "2004-12-31T10:54:34Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > A small point but that’s fifteen million QUID - ie about double, also we are major contributors to the EUs gift of £22m, that’s without private donations. It’s 50 million quid now. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/135 "2004-12-31T11:12:05Z")
Australia has just upped its donation to $50M. This is all good. Great news about the increased UK donation too. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/136 "2004-12-31T17:44:21Z")
The US have just announced a new figure for aid. $350 million. My heart breaks every time I look at the news ☹ ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/137 "2004-12-31T21:25:59Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > The US have just announced a new figure for aid. > > $350 million. > > My heart breaks every time I look at the news ☹ So does mine. Not because of the $350 million, though. That’s brilliant. Thank you, America. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/138 "2005-01-01T01:47:38Z")
From A _Wall Street Journal_ editorial, 12/31/04: _“According to a 2003 report from the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. international assistance to developing countires in 2000 was $56 billion. Yet just 18% of that was official government assistance. Some $33.6 billion - or 60% - came from the private sector. Corporations shelled out with nearly $3 billion. Religious groups weighed in with $3.4 billion. Individuals provided $18 billion. To say nothing of funds from foundations, private and voluntary organizations, or universities…Philanthropy magazine reports a study showing the average U.S. contribution outweighs the average German or French one seven- or eight-fold…Europeans have come to view private donations as a failure of the state and expect their governments to collect billions in taxes to shuffle along to slow-moving and unaccountable international bureaucracies. The result is a lose-lose situation.”_ The idea of competitive I’ll-show-you giving has its attractions in this situation, as does the option of shafting those snotty U.N. types by giving big bucks to non-U.N. relief organizations. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/139 "2005-01-01T07:31:42Z")
God help them if they want to talk controlled parenting though coz the US Gov sure as hell wont. Fair play to the US for this incredible act. The western world as a whole seems to be acting appropriatly for once, now if we could only do more for the Congo (Millions upon millions **killed** and it’s still happening) and others we’d be really on our way. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922/140 "2005-01-01T07:55:11Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > The western world as a whole seems to be acting appropriatly for once, now if we could only do more for the Congo (Millions upon millions **killed** and it’s still happening) and others we’d be really on our way. And **TWO MILLION** plus people die every year in Africa from malaria, because the environmentalists have made DDT anathma, with little reason. How convienient that this didn’t happen until us western white folks were rid of the diseased mosquito problem. I’m not saying anything against the wonderful response to this tragedy, but it’s a big thing. Big things are easy to get concerned about. Lots of little things get ignored every day, often with much worse consiquences. Kudos on you for pointing one of them out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-stingy-wtf/281922.md?page=8)