Mereja.Forum

The secret of foreign aid

By BY MICHAEL BUCKLER
APR 21, 2011 AT 5:45 PM
THE BALTIMORE SUN

As Congress redoubles its efforts to cut expenditures from the federal budget, many worthy programs face the chopping block. Austerity means fewer federal highway projects, after-school programs and Social Security cost-of-living increases. Yet, some measures are more painful than others. Government programs providing overseas assistance can surely be cut or trimmed without feeling the sting at home. It's a win-win for politicians and taxpayers, right?

Not really.

Overseas assistance in the federal budget is actually American assistance in disguise. Poor countries receive money from our government under the condition that some of the money (about 50 percent) be used to acquire goods and services from American companies. By doing this, Congress ensures that aid money stimulates the American economy, not fragile ones in need of help. Other self-serving tactics include showering aid on strategically important countries like Egypt, while geopolitical twerps like Malawi — where I lived as a Peace Corps volunteer — get squeezed; and conditioning aid upon the adoption of Western ideals like multiparty democracy and free-market capitalism. In short, we finance them to enrich our companies and import our culture. Score: Congress 1, poor countries 0.
And the story gets better for Americans. When desperate countries face a food crisis, their markets are flooded with excess grain from American farms, purchased and shipped overseas by our government. Procuring food within recipient countries (yes, starving countries have food) would save money and jump-start development, but it wouldn't help the American taxpayer. Similarly, thanks to Congress' generous domestic farm subsidies, impoverished farmers in Africa struggle to compete with U.S. farmers on international markets. Score: Congress 2, poor countries 0.

International assistance also bloats our federal bureaucracy — but not as much as you might think. With more than 20 agencies receiving money for overseas programs, redundancies abound. But humanitarian and development aid are relative bargains — less than 1 percent of the budget (although most Americans mistakenly believe that this figure is around 25 percent). Military expenditures, by contrast, account for 20 percent of the overall budget and 60 percent of discretionary spending. And every dollar spent on war is a missed opportunity to promote lasting prosperity, security and peace in the third world through economic development. Score: Congress 3, poor countries 0.

Let's face it — sincerely attacking global poverty would threaten American jobs. Instead of waging war or fattening corporate America, we would steer monies to the field, where funding decisions would be made by local specialists with superb language, cultural and historical expertise, guided by conscience and grass-roots pragmatism. Within host countries, we would build local relationships, hire local employees and buy goods and services from local vendors. We would issue grants for budding social entrepreneurs to create enterprises that address the greatest needs of local people: water, food, health care and education. Our top priority would be relieving poverty — not nation building. We would invest in them, not us.

I know this from first-hand experience. In 2006, I left my law firm (and lucrative salary) to become a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Malawi. From 2006 to 2008, I lived among ordinary Malawians, taught their children, and shared a village house with three male students. A voracious reader, I realized that most (if not all) of the development literature was written from above, by donors, politicians and economists, and that bothered me. So, after returning to the States, I wrote a book about the putative recipients of aid, the 90 percent of Malawians who practice sustenance farming, don't receive a decent education, and live on a dollar a day or less.
Facing a budget crisis, we stand conflicted. As humanitarians, we have a moral imperative to help those crippled by poverty, here and abroad. Yet, as patriotic Americans, we support our broken system of delivering international aid, which provides a lot of American jobs. Congress can fix the system and greatly improve our capacity to alleviate poverty, but that's not political reality. We need those jobs to sustain our lifestyles, even if they come at the expense of the world's poorest people.

Michael L. Buckler, a Maryland native and member of the Maryland Bar, is the author of "From Microsoft to Malawi: Learning on the Front Lines as a Peace Corps Volunteer." His e-mail is [email protected].

Everything Redwan described is true and has been known to be the standard modus operandi of American imperialism and its EU water carriers. If is a good thing finally after 30 years of being part of the conspiracy, Redawn, a federal minister tells the truth about American imperialism in black and white. Let us not forget that this is exactly how America put EPDRF in power 30 years ago. This kind of and this level of consciousness is the beginning of becoming free from American imperial control of Ethiopia.

America doesn't feed Ethiopia; Ethiopia sustains the American farmers at the expense of Ethiopian blood, tears, and dignity. America is fueling and perpetuating the Ethiopian crisis. I have many times called for the closure of American Embassy and expelling USAID out of Ethiopia.

Horus wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 02:53

Everything Redwan described is true and has been known to be the standard modus operandi of American imperialism and its EU water carriers. If is a good thing finally after 30 years of being part of the conspiracy, Redawn, a federal minister tells the truth about American imperialism in black and white. Let us not forget that this is exactly how America put EPDRF in power 30 years ago. This kind of and this level of consciousness is the beginning of becoming free from American imperial control of Ethiopia.

America doesn't feed Ethiopia; Ethiopia sustains the American farmers at the expense of Ethiopian blood, tears, and dignity. America is fueling and perpetuating the Ethiopian crisis. I have many times called for the closure of American Embassy and expelling USAID out of Ethiopia.

Horus,

As you know, Redwan was a disciple of Meles's "developmental state" theory of the past/present?; in fact this talk of his reminded of that era; him and Zadig were the best at it then and btw, the logic was fine in theory. The irony is TPLF were doing the opposite of what Meles DS theory said. Ha! Ha!

On NGO, advocates of the theory said, if it adds a penny positive value to the economy, NGO is good to go!

Remember they rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. so, kicking such groups out and closing embassies may not be a wise thing to do at this juncture. The coming "sanctions" are dry runs too, in its own right, to see what we're made of.

Let us also see first, if we can be self sufficient in wheat, cooking oil and other basic commodities as planned in a short time. I don't think NGO's are stopping us from doing that.

Cheers!

Correct, I was just fascinated by the courage of our government to put out such a narrative in public media at this time. It was artfully and comprehensively formulated. He painted anonymous labels to the perpetrators but of course it is obvious what he was referring to and Uncle Sam will see its name transcribed in boldface. So, recognizing our illness and speaking about it is the first step towards healing or independence. And that demonstrates the level of confidence Abiy has in what he is doing. I wish every Ethiopian is taught about these facts in high school, so they understand that independence & self-sufficiency is the only path for sustainable development & prosperity. Our for-fathers understood this.

Horus wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 02:53

Everything Redwan described is true and has been known to be the standard modus operandi of American imperialism and its EU water carriers. If is a good thing finally after 30 years of being part of the conspiracy, Redawn, a federal minister tells the truth about American imperialism in black and white. Let us not forget that this is exactly how America put EPDRF in power 30 years ago. This kind of and this level of consciousness is the beginning of becoming free from American imperial control of Ethiopia.

America doesn't feed Ethiopia; Ethiopia sustains the American farmers at the expense of Ethiopian blood, tears, and dignity. America is fueling and perpetuating the Ethiopian crisis. I have many times called for the closure of American Embassy and expelling USAID out of Ethiopia.

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Foreign NGOs are the most obscure organizations in the world. Nobody really knows the details of their fundings and their impact is hard to measure. And what else do they provide other than creating a vicious cycle of dependency? Kenya for example is a country infested with NGOs but lately the government realized that they are in fact hurting their country and therefore passed a new rule that basically restricts foreigners. They can only be employed when there is no Kenyan available with the same skills. Likewise, Ethiopia was portrayed as the poster child of foreign aid in the 80s and TPLF was the biggest beneficiary. Why in the world did then Meles curtailed their activities after he came to power? That’s because he knew many things about NGOs that others don’t.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 04:02

Horus wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 02:53

Everything Redwan described is true and has been known to be the standard modus operandi of American imperialism and its EU water carriers. If is a good thing finally after 30 years of being part of the conspiracy, Redawn, a federal minister tells the truth about American imperialism in black and white. Let us not forget that this is exactly how America put EPDRF in power 30 years ago. This kind of and this level of consciousness is the beginning of becoming free from American imperial control of Ethiopia.

America doesn't feed Ethiopia; Ethiopia sustains the American farmers at the expense of Ethiopian blood, tears, and dignity. America is fueling and perpetuating the Ethiopian crisis. I have many times called for the closure of American Embassy and expelling USAID out of Ethiopia.

Horus,

As you know, Redwan was a disciple of Meles's "developmental state" theory of the past/present?; in fact this talk of his reminded of that era; him and Zadig were the best at it then and btw, the logic was fine in theory. The irony is TPLF were doing the opposite of what Meles DS theory said. Ha! Ha!

On NGO, advocates of the theory said, if it adds a penny positive value to the economy, NGO is good to go!

Remember they rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. so, kicking such groups out and closing embassies may not be a wise thing to do at this juncture. The coming "sanctions" are dry runs too, in its own right, to see what we're made of.

Let us also see first, if we can be self sufficient in wheat, cooking oil and other basic commodities as planned in a short time. I don't think NGO's are stopping us from doing that.

Cheers!

Can Mama Ethiopia out from the white man's trap?
Ethiopia to break from the chock hold of the white man,
need to form a centralized government and abolishing the weak federal system which is the birthing ground for conflict and divisions in the nation.
if this is done weyane problem is nothing but a fish in a barrel.

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who taught two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

NGOs are the most obscure organizations in the world. Nobody really knows the details of their fundings and their impact is hard to measure. And what else do they provide other than creating a vicious cycle of dependency? Kenya, for example, is a country infested with NGOs but lately the government realized that they are in fact hurting their country and therefore passed a new rule that basically restricts foreigners. They can only be employed when there is no Kenyan available with the same skills. Likewise, Ethiopia was portrayed as the poster child of foreign aid in the 80s and TPLF was the biggest beneficiary. Why in the world did then Meles curtailed their activities after he came to power? That’s because he knew many things about NGOs that others don’t.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 04:02

Horus wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 02:53

Everything Redwan described is true and has been known to be the standard modus operandi of American imperialism and its EU water carriers. If is a good thing finally after 30 years of being part of the conspiracy, Redawn, a federal minister tells the truth about American imperialism in black and white. Let us not forget that this is exactly how America put EPDRF in power 30 years ago. This kind of and this level of consciousness is the beginning of becoming free from American imperial control of Ethiopia.

America doesn't feed Ethiopia; Ethiopia sustains the American farmers at the expense of Ethiopian blood, tears, and dignity. America is fueling and perpetuating the Ethiopian crisis. I have many times called for the closure of American Embassy and expelling USAID out of Ethiopia.

Horus,

As you know, Redwan was a disciple of Meles's "developmental state" theory of the past/present?; in fact this talk of his reminded of that era; him and Zadig were the best at it then and btw, the logic was fine in theory. The irony is TPLF were doing the opposite of what Meles DS theory said. Ha! Ha!

On NGO, advocates of the theory said, if it adds a penny positive value to the economy, NGO is good to go!

Remember they rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. so, kicking such groups out and closing embassies may not be a wise thing to do at this juncture. The coming "sanctions" are dry runs too, in its own right, to see what we're made of.

Let us also see first, if we can be self sufficient in wheat, cooking oil and other basic commodities as planned in a short time. I don't think NGO's are stopping us from doing that.

Cheers!

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

You’re conflicting yourself. You said NGOs rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. An economy that relies on any kind of foreign charities is unsustainable and dehumanizing. NGOs funded by western governments have been active in Africa for more than half a century but what we are left with is civil war and more poverty and dependency. We should rather try to have our own grassroot NGOs.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 15:23

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

Selam/ wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021, 13:10

You’re conflicting yourself. You said NGOs rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. An economy that relies on any kind of foreign charities is unsustainable and dehumanizing. NGOs funded by western governments have been active in Africa for more than half a century but what we are left with is civil war and more poverty and dependency. We should rather try to have our own grassroot NGOs.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 15:23

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

Selam,

Don't demand things beyond your ability; you can't feed yourself; that's what USAID told the deputy PM the other day. Why not do what you're able to like defeat the TPLF now. Shut Getcho's big mouth first! Don't add another war front. I am not saying, don't talk "philosophy" without much action like Redwan; keep doing that! That's harmless.

China didn't start opening her mouth until recently about the "humiliation" of getting aid from the West.

IMO, we should do the same.

Well, you don’t know your ability as long as you are hooked on foreign aid. It’s like a drug addict whose brain is altered by years of dependency on external substances. Of course, government officials love foreign aid because it relieves them of their responsibilities. Despite the abundance of water, fertile soil and sun light, you have been receiving USAID for over five decades. And yet the dependency has gotten worse. Why have things gotten worse and not better?

Dawi wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021, 18:05

Selam/ wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021, 13:10

You’re conflicting yourself. You said NGOs rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. An economy that relies on any kind of foreign charities is unsustainable and dehumanizing. NGOs funded by western governments have been active in Africa for more than half a century but what we are left with is civil war and more poverty and dependency. We should rather try to have our own grassroot NGOs.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 15:23

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

Selam,

Don't demand things beyond your ability; you can't feed yourself; that's what USAID told the deputy PM the other day. Why not do what you're able to like defeat the TPLF now. Shut Getcho's big mouth first! Don't add another war front. I am not saying, don't talk "philosophy" without much action like Redwan; keep doing that! That's harmless.

China didn't start opening her mouth until recently about the "humiliation" of getting aid from the West.

IMO, we should do the same.

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam/ wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021, 13:10

You’re conflicting yourself. You said NGOs rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. An economy that relies on any kind of foreign charities is unsustainable and dehumanizing. NGOs funded by western governments have been active in Africa for more than half a century but what we are left with is civil war and more poverty and dependency. We should rather try to have our own grassroot NGOs.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 15:23

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

Oh yes, that’s part of the seduction game. Once you lure the elites into joining NGOs, they will fight tooth and nail to keep the high paying jobs. I suspect though that most people want our country to be independent but they don’t want to pay the price. But we can’t have it both ways.

Sabur wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 07:34

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam/ wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021, 13:10

You’re conflicting yourself. You said NGOs rent houses, hire help, buy stuff for personal expenses etc. An economy that relies on any kind of foreign charities is unsustainable and dehumanizing. NGOs funded by western governments have been active in Africa for more than half a century but what we are left with is civil war and more poverty and dependency. We should rather try to have our own grassroot NGOs.

Dawi wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 15:23

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 06:03

Why do we need NGOs if we can lure foreign companies and garment manufacturers away from other African or Asian countries? Who thought two decades ago that the fashion brands H&M, Guess and Levi’s would invest in Ethiopia? Who expected DHL to go into a joint venture in our country?

Selam,

Investments and NGOs are two different things. Even China,India, Russia get NGOs help. They play with the rule of engagements as Meles did; he tried to stop "color" revolutions from sweeping him, other than that, they all take aid money, that is, if it adds a positive economic value to their GDP, no hesitation at all.

Selam/ wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 10:27

Oh yes, that’s part of the seduction game. Once you lure the elites into joining NGOs, they will fight tooth and nail to keep the high paying jobs. I suspect though that most people want our country to be independent but they don’t want to pay the price. But we can’t have it both ways.
Sabur wrote: ↑Today, 07:34

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam & Sabur,

So be it; let them get paid handsomely; remember, you're the receiving edge. The donors create jobs for their own people and you receive the left overs. They subsidize their farmers here & the over grown food is sent to you as food aid; that keeps markets stable. Why are you complaining? I am not saying do it like TPLF, make 1.2 million people food aid dependent for 2 generation but,........anyway, you should get out of poverty as soon as you can in a decade or two.

I've said it before, China, Russia accept NGOs as we speak; they don't bad mouth them; even though they are able to feed their own people. What makes you feel you're better/smarter to bad mouth & demand of closing down all NGOS when you' can't even produce enough food to feed yourself?

I don't get it! Sabur is even jealous of the "rich kids" whose parents work for UN? Are you for real or the Taliban Inc.? You're pathetic.

You sound like a 50-year-old child, who still lives at home with his parents, mooching of their dwindling resources. Fearing that you are incapable of starting your own life, they feed you and share with you all what they have left without demanding anything from you. Having never been forced to move out, you lost the courage to live on your own. Whereas your childhood friend rebelled against his parents and moved out at age 12. Sleeping on a cardboard at night and eating a loaf of bread a day, he became a coolie and then a shoeshiner and street vendor, selling a lottery and chew sticks. 20 years later, he got his own sook across your parents house. Now you tell me who the failure is. An able-bodied adult should never depend on others permanently.

Dawi wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 22:27

Selam/ wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 10:27

Oh yes, that’s part of the seduction game. Once you lure the elites into joining NGOs, they will fight tooth and nail to keep the high paying jobs. I suspect though that most people want our country to be independent but they don’t want to pay the price. But we can’t have it both ways.
Sabur wrote: ↑Today, 07:34

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam & Sabur,

So be it; let them get paid handsomely; remember, you're the receiving edge. The donors create jobs for their own people and you receive the left overs. They subsidize their farmers here & the over grown food is sent to you as food aid; that keeps markets stable. Why are you complaining? I am not saying do it like TPLF, make 1.2 million people food aid dependent for 2 generation but,........anyway, you should get out of poverty as soon as you can in a decade or two.

I've said it before, China, Russia accept NGOs as we speak; they don't bad mouth them; even though they are able to feed their own people. What makes you feel you're better/smarter to bad mouth & demand of closing down all NGOS when you' can't even produce enough food to feed yourself?

I don't get it! Sabur is even jealous of the "rich kids" whose parents work for UN? Are you for real or the Taliban Inc.? You're pathetic.

Selam,

This is a leftist view that destroyed our country. I suppose you support the nationalization of property/land?

I am not against family inheritance; not everyone starts from scratch however, the State need to establish a progressive tax system.

I use to support your kind of view, not anymore. Sorry!

Selam/ wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2021, 09:12

You sound like a 50-year-old child, who still lives at home with his parents, mooching of their dwindling resources. Fearing that you are incapable of starting your own life, they feed you and share with you all what they have left without demanding anything from you. Having never been forced to move out, you lost the courage to live on your own. Whereas your childhood friend rebelled against his parents and moved out at age 12. Sleeping on a cardboard at night and eating a loaf of bread a day, he became a coolie and then a shoeshiner and street vendor, selling a lottery and chew sticks. 20 years later, he got his own sook across your parents house. Now you tell me who the failure is. An able-bodied adult should never depend on others permanently.

Dawi wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 22:27

Selam/ wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 10:27

Oh yes, that’s part of the seduction game. Once you lure the elites into joining NGOs, they will fight tooth and nail to keep the high paying jobs. I suspect though that most people want our country to be independent but they don’t want to pay the price. But we can’t have it both ways.
Sabur wrote: ↑Today, 07:34

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam & Sabur,

So be it; let them get paid handsomely; remember, you're the receiving edge. The donors create jobs for their own people and you receive the left overs. They subsidize their farmers here & the over grown food is sent to you as food aid; that keeps markets stable. Why are you complaining? I am not saying do it like TPLF, make 1.2 million people food aid dependent for 2 generation but,........anyway, you should get out of poverty as soon as you can in a decade or two.

I've said it before, China, Russia accept NGOs as we speak; they don't bad mouth them; even though they are able to feed their own people. What makes you feel you're better/smarter to bad mouth & demand of closing down all NGOS when you' can't even produce enough food to feed yourself?

I don't get it! Sabur is even jealous of the "rich kids" whose parents work for UN? Are you for real or the Taliban Inc.? You're pathetic.

Don’t put words in my mouth. We were self-sufficient for thousandth of years until socialism came into picture. As much as we were independent, we were involved in international commerce and trade. Likewise, other African nations were self-sufficient until a white man set foot on their soils. Call it leftist or conservative, Ethiopia will end its dependency while you and I are alive because the spirit and trajectory of the Ethiopian youth have shifted decisively. With 70-80% of our population being under the age of 35, it’s our time, it’s Africa’s time.

But don’t misunderstand me. I am not against aid that is targeted to alleviating health crisis and natural disaster, be it HIV, pandemic, flood, earthquake or locust. But permanent food or crop assistance is a chronic disease that should be cut off once and for all. Will people be hurt in that process? Yes but so what? Food aid addiction is more deadly than starvation as it incapacitates our productive force and destroy local farmers permanently. In fact, when the push comes to shove, many of our people will make it out of poverty if left alone whereas, in aid scenario, it’s like boarding a sinking ship.

Dawi wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2021, 17:17

Selam,

This is a leftist view that destroyed our country. I suppose you support the nationalization of property/land?

I am not against family inheritance; not everyone starts from scratch however, the State need to establish a progressive tax system.

I use to support your kind of view, not anymore. Sorry!

Selam/ wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2021, 09:12

You sound like a 50-year-old child, who still lives at home with his parents, mooching of their dwindling resources. Fearing that you are incapable of starting your own life, they feed you and share with you all what they have left without demanding anything from you. Having never been forced to move out, you lost the courage to live on your own. Whereas your childhood friend rebelled against his parents and moved out at age 12. Sleeping on a cardboard at night and eating a loaf of bread a day, he became a coolie and then a shoeshiner and street vendor, selling a lottery and chew sticks. 20 years later, he got his own sook across your parents house. Now you tell me who the failure is. An able-bodied adult should never depend on others permanently.

Dawi wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 22:27

Selam/ wrote: ↑

27 Aug 2021, 10:27

Oh yes, that’s part of the seduction game. Once you lure the elites into joining NGOs, they will fight tooth and nail to keep the high paying jobs. I suspect though that most people want our country to be independent but they don’t want to pay the price. But we can’t have it both ways.
Sabur wrote: ↑Today, 07:34

Agree !!

It is also a lifetime career for people who work for NGO, UN,...
Paid handsomely from a very comfortable well protected Areas, their families live lavishly in Western Countries and their Children Education is paid until they finish college.

So these People would never want to see Wars, and Poverty get eradicated from Poor Countries. They rather see the continuation of Wars, destruction and poverty to maintain the life time careers that are usually passed onto their Children.

How many times did we hear about those rich kids in school "OH, his Dad/Mom works for the UN or NGO" ?

Selam & Sabur,

So be it; let them get paid handsomely; remember, you're the receiving edge. The donors create jobs for their own people and you receive the left overs. They subsidize their farmers here & the over grown food is sent to you as food aid; that keeps markets stable. Why are you complaining? I am not saying do it like TPLF, make 1.2 million people food aid dependent for 2 generation but,........anyway, you should get out of poverty as soon as you can in a decade or two.

I've said it before, China, Russia accept NGOs as we speak; they don't bad mouth them; even though they are able to feed their own people. What makes you feel you're better/smarter to bad mouth & demand of closing down all NGOS when you' can't even produce enough food to feed yourself?

I don't get it! Sabur is even jealous of the "rich kids" whose parents work for UN? Are you for real or the Taliban Inc.? You're pathetic.

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 05:25

Correct, I was just fascinated by the courage of our government to put out such a narrative in public media at this time. It was artfully and comprehensively formulated. He painted anonymous labels to the perpetrators but of course it is obvious what he was referring to and Uncle Sam will see its name transcribed in boldface. So, recognizing our illness and speaking about it is the first step towards healing or independence. And that demonstrates the level of confidence Abiy has in what he is doing. I wish every Ethiopian is taught about these facts in high school, so they understand that independence & self-sufficiency is the only path for sustainable development & prosperity. Our for-fathers understood this.

Astaghfirullah !!

My biographer, ቱስ ቱስ ወያኔ - ይገባኛል የNoMore ነውጥ እስከዛሬ ያስነጥስሻል!

Misraq wrote: ↑

10 Feb 2024, 16:04

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 05:25

Correct, I was just fascinated by the courage of our government to put out such a narrative in public media at this time. It was artfully and comprehensively formulated. He painted anonymous labels to the perpetrators but of course it is obvious what he was referring to and Uncle Sam will see its name transcribed in boldface. So, recognizing our illness and speaking about it is the first step towards healing or independence. And that demonstrates the level of confidence Abiy has in what he is doing. I wish every Ethiopian is taught about these facts in high school, so they understand that independence & self-sufficiency is the only path for sustainable development & prosperity. Our for-fathers understood this.

Astaghfirullah !!

Selam/ wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021, 05:25

Correct, I was just fascinated by the courage of our government to put out such a narrative in public media at this time. It was artfully and comprehensively formulated. He painted anonymous labels to the perpetrators but of course it is obvious what he was referring to and Uncle Sam will see its name transcribed in boldface. So, recognizing our illness and speaking about it is the first step towards healing or independence. And that demonstrates the level of confidence Abiy has in what he is doing. I wish every Ethiopian is taught about these facts in high school, so they understand that independence & self-sufficiency is the only path for sustainable development & prosperity. Our for-fathers understood this.

Astaghfirullah !!