Obama to give Africa 7 Billion More for Electricity Infrastructure.....

[MMC]

*sigh*

Foreign aid is a very small slice of federal spending. The total federal budget for 2013, before sequestration, was $3.8 trillion. A $7 billion commitment, spread over 5 years, is $1.4 billion.

$1.4 billion sounds like a huge amount of money, and to an individual it is enormous. In reality, it's 0.04% of annual federal spending. It's not even a drop in the bucket.

I really don't see how this is an awful thing. It builds good will, which we're going to need as we compete with China and India for African resources and markets. It's also beneficial on a basic humanitarian level. The key concern at this point really ought to be making sure the program is executed well.

*Non-chalant look*.....well did you forget Obama saying he wanted to Double US Aid to 50 Billion. So you think throwing Africa 7 Billion, 1/3rd of the 23 Billion 292Million. Is a drop in the Bucket?

 

[Visbek]

Oh you meant his approval rating if he is liked. As most of the others. He isn't doing so well on.

Grant suggested there was "buyer's remorse." That doesn't hold up based on his approval ratings, which yet again, are basically the same as during most of his term.

This is not "spin," it's just a fact.

 

[MMC]

Grant suggested there was "buyer's remorse." That doesn't hold up based on his approval ratings, which yet again, are basically the same as during most of his term.

This is not "spin," it's just a fact.

30 Republican states say otherwise. That's a fact too.

 

[Visbek]

*Non-chalant look*.....well did you forget Obama saying he wanted to Double US Aid to 50 Billion. So you think throwing Africa 7 Billion, 1/3rd of the 23 Billion 292Million. Is a drop in the Bucket?

He did say that, and didn't get close to it.

And yes, 0.04% of federal spending is a teeny tiny drop in the budget.

 

[MMC]

He did say that, and didn't get close to it.

And yes, 0.04% of federal spending is a teeny tiny drop in the budget.

Well according to Politifact that teeny tiny drop in the Bucket.....is a 23% increase in Foreign Aid. ( let me know if ya need that link) So when 7 Billion is going to just these African Countries. Then all that other money that was explained to the likes of Egypt, Libya, Mali, and a few others. Then it is obviously more than just a drop in the Bucket.

Wherein this still doesn't change the fact about money we need going for our own Infrastructure. While Team Obama throws out even more money in 2013 than what he did in 2012.

 

[Visbek]

Well according to Politifact that teeny tiny drop in the Bucket is a 23% increase in Foreign Aid. ( let me know if ya need that link)

I don't.

All foreign aid, including military and non-military, is around 1% of the federal budget. It's a bunch of crumbs falling off the table of either the DOD or Social Security. And yes, that includes Egypt and Libya.

So when 7 Billion is going to just these African Countries.

Presumably, over the next five years.

Wherein this still doesn't change the fact about money we need going for our own Infrastructure.

Uh huh

Republicans have done everything they could to prevent Obama from spending anything on domestic infrastructure. If we're not spending at home, it's not because of Obama's decisions.

And even if you look at this in the most crude and calculating terms, foreign aid often benefits the US. It builds good will in a part of the world that is a) growing, b) has lots of resources, c) has lots of competition for those resources and markets, and d) is not going to just hand it all over to the US as though it's our birthright.

It doesn't always work; e.g. throwing military resources at Mubarak secured an ally for many years, but has also backfired. Helping to build electricity infrastructure, on the other hand, is far less likely to backfire in a similar way.

 

[Diving Mullah]

With any luck, it won't get past the House.

House has gone out of its way to hurt the brown and blacks of this country and these american citizens, and to think they will actually lift a finger to actually help blacks and browns of African nations??....well....that kind of wishful thinking is just not based in any kind of reality!


Diving Mullah

 

[AlabamaPaul]

House has gone out of its way to hurt the brown and blacks of this country and these american citizens, and to think they will actually lift a finger to actually help blacks and browns of African nations??....well....that kind of wishful thinking is just not based in any kind of reality!


Diving Mullah

Like???

 

[CanadaJohn]

I very much appreciate the sentiment of the OP here and often wonder how our governments can use such large sums of money throughout the world and yet cry poor at home.

I will say, however, that this strikes me as a geopolitical counter attack against the creep of China into all parts of Africa and its rich natural resource base. Someone is going to work to exploit those resources and it seems the administration is trying to put the US back in the game in Africa. It may not be a bad move at all, when you look at the long term benefits of this investment.

That said, one can't help but wonder if much of Africa will remain "in the dark" going forward if they are going to be subjected to Obama's full-bore blind ambition to shove costly and inefficient green energy projects down African throats since he's had no luck doing it in America.

 

[thinkforyoursel]

Oh boy....here comes the TEA PURTY again trying to have it both ways.
Last time I checked whenever Obama tries to do anything good for the American economy ...like improve our infrastructure ....the TEA PURTY rails up and kills it!!

You guys can't have it both ways ....you can't!!

What the hell ....America have gutted the African continent of its greatest asset ...it's people ....giving them $7B ....is nothing.

 

[Grant]

It's not "obscene." It's barely a dent in the foreign aid budget, let alone federal budget.

The country is $17 trillion in debt with no way to pay it back and he is giving $7 billion to famously corrupt African leaders? Africa is home to the oldest human relic ever found and has existed for millions of years before US aid was even a glimmer in Barrack Obama's eyes.

Foreign aid is not particularly popular, no matter who is promoting it.

How promoting is it? For whom? Didn't you see the signs telling Obama to get outta town?

And yet, the American public pretty much wants the world to bend over backwards to accommodate American interests, businesses, tourists and political demands. Go figure.

Interesting! So you're saying that American business interests have to bribe Africans to do business with them? Did you know that's illegal?

His approval ratings are in the same general range as during most of his time in office. And in case you missed it, he just got re-elected late last year....

This doesn't say much then for the American electorate. But on a more optimistic note, his popularity is dropping almost as quickly as the American economy is declining.

 

[fmw]

Oh boy....here comes the TEA PURTY again trying to have it both ways.
Last time I checked whenever Obama tries to do anything good for the American economy ...like improve our infrastructure ....the TEA PURTY rails up and kills it!!

You guys can't have it both ways ....you can't!!

What the hell ....America have gutted the African continent of its greatest asset ...it's people ....giving them $7B ....is nothing.

I wouldn't say nothing. It will make some African politicians very, very wealthy.

 

[Grant]

Oh boy....here comes the TEA PURTY again trying to have it both ways.
Last time I checked whenever Obama tries to do anything good for the American economy ...like improve our infrastructure ....the TEA PURTY rails up and kills it!!

You guys can't have it both ways ....you can't!!

What the hell ....America have gutted the African continent of its greatest asset ...it's people ....giving them $7B ....is nothing.

The Tea Party gutted the American infrastructure? Do you have a link to that?

Braack Obama has spent something like $7 trillion since he became President. Do you know where it went? Maybe some of it could have gone to infrastructure but the guy can't even bring in a budget much less build a bridge. Maybe he should have just stuck to organizing communities in Chicago. It would have been better for the American people, but probably just as bad for Chicago.

 

[Visbek]

The country is $17 trillion in debt with no way to pay it back and he is giving $7 billion to famously corrupt African leaders?

Again: $7 billion is 0.04% of our annual federal spending, and all foreign aid is less than 1% of annual spending.

Yes, Africa has a lot of problems. That doesn't mean the world should abandon Africa.

Africa is home to the oldest human relic ever found and has existed for millions of years before US aid was even a glimmer in Barrack Obama's eyes.

How does that change the fact that huge swaths of sub-Saharan Africa do not have reliable (or any) access to electricity?

How promoting is it? For whom?

In this case, the Obama administration is promoting it. The benefits will hopefully apply to Africans and Americans.

Didn't you see the signs telling Obama to get outta town?

Yes, those dozens of protestors obviously represent the majority view. :lol:

Interesting! So you're saying that American business interests have to bribe Africans to do business with them? Did you know that's illegal?

No, I'm saying that some Americans have a narrow-minded and arrogant belief that the entire world ought to worship and obey America, and that the entire world thinks of America as "The Good Guys."

That's not how the world works. America has spent the last 50+ years throwing its weight around, and backing interfering institutions like the IMF and World Bank, and people aren't too thrilled about it. China and India, in contrast, have been focused on their own issues during that time. China in particular is happy to build out resources without adding lots of strings.

In other words, we're competing for African markets and resources against a nation with a huge industrial base, more money than it knows what to do with, and a clean slate. So maybe we shouldn't bitch too loudly about an extremely small investment in African infrastructure.

This doesn't say much then for the American electorate. But on a more optimistic note, his popularity is dropping almost as quickly as the American economy is declining.

Uh, yeah, actually the economy is gradually improving.

• Employment is improving
• Consumer spending is improving
• Real estate is getting better
• Equity markets are doing fine
• Credit is easing up
• Consumer confidence is up

Nice try tho'

 

[Grant]

Again: $7 billion is 0.04% of our annual federal spending, and all foreign aid is less than 1% of annual spending.

Who cares? It's stiill a lot of money and America is broke, broke, broke! Where is he going to get that money to give to the Africans? Borrow it? Print it? Soon the interest rate on all that borrowed money will cover ver half the US budget. Are Americans ready for that? Or their credit rating lowered again?

Yes, Africa has a lot of problems. That doesn't mean the world should abandon Africa.

The world is not abandoning Africa. In fact in many areas the economy is growing, thanks to Chinese investment that is putting people to work rather than delivering handouts. But then Obama is a guy who likes giving away other peoples money,

How does that change the fact that huge swaths of sub-Saharan Africa do not have reliable (or any) access to electricity?

Electricity for what?

In this case, the Obama administration is promoting it. The benefits will hopefully apply to Africans and Americans.

Trillions have gone into Africa over the past couple of generation and there are still areas that don't have electricity. What does that tell you about Africa?

Yes, those dozens of protestors obviously represent the majority view. :lol:

We really don't know one way or the other but I'll bet the fat cats are ready for their extra billions. Obama is getting the same message everywhere now.

No, I'm saying that some Americans have a narrow-minded and arrogant belief that the entire world ought to worship and obey America, and that the entire world thinks of America as "The Good Guys."

Americans should not worry abut the world thinks of America. Who cares? Do you think they will like Americans if they give them money? That's just whoring.

That's not how the world works. America has spent the last 50+ years throwing its weight around, and backing interfering institutions like the IMF and World Bank, and people aren't too thrilled about it. China and India, in contrast, have been focused on their own issues during that time. China in particular is happy to build out resources without adding lots of strings.

Who cares if they are thrilled tr not? Throwing their weight around has saved many countries from a variety of despots and dictators. The world knows who to call when they're in trouble. Who else but America?

In other words, we're competing for African markets and resources against a nation with a huge industrial base, more money than it knows what to do with, and a clean slate. So maybe we shouldn't bitch too loudly about an extremely small investment in African infrastructure.

Americans should bitch abut all money going down a sewer hole for no good reason at all. It's about time this craziness stopped and the books put in some sort of order, if its still possible.

Uh, yeah, actually the economy is gradually improving.

Nonsense! Then why would there be millions more of food stamp recipients?

 

[the_recruit]

Oh gawwwwwwwdd!!! A miniscule fraction of my income is going to help poor people that don't even have ****ing electricity? What next, Obama, will we have to help starving children too? Gawwwwwwwd! This is so unfaaaaaaaiiirrrrrr!

 

[Visbek]

Who cares? It's stiill a lot of money and America is broke, broke, broke!

No, we aren't. That's a conservative myth, with little basis in reality.

Soon the interest rate on all that borrowed money will cover ver half the US budget.

Uh, no, not even close. Interest payments are around 6% of federal spending. Defense is 23%, health care 24%, pensions 24%. All foreign aid -- including military and non-military aid -- is about 1% of the budget.

The 0.04% of annual spending that Obama plans to spend on this program is utterly negligible.

Are Americans ready for that? Or their credit rating lowered again?

Uh, hello? The federal government's credit rating wasn't lowered because the US couldn't possibly pay the interest. It's because the Republicans in Congress didn't want to authorize borrowing required by the spending bills they signed.

The world is not abandoning Africa. In fact in many areas the economy is growing, thanks to Chinese investment that is putting people to work rather than delivering handouts.

1) China is building plenty of infrastructure. Last summer, Hi Jintao loaned $20 billion for infrastructure to African nations -- and most of it is oriented towards methods of extracting natural resources from those nations. They do so without any concern for human rights violations, quality of government or levels of corruption.

2) China is getting access to Africa's markets and resources because of these actions.

Electricity for what?

Oh, I dunno. How about hospitals, offices, shops, homes, and businesses? :roll:

I mean, really. If a town in Ohio lost its power, would you suggest we not bother to restore it, because electricity isn't "really" necessary?

Americans should not worry abut the world thinks of America. Who cares?

Oh, I dunno. How about anyone in the US who is selling some of the $2.2 trillion in exports per year? Or how about the ones who don't want to be attacked by terrorists on a regular basis?

Isolationism is not a valid option, especially since our government has been interfering in other governments in a variety of ways for decades.

Do you think they will like Americans if they give them money? That's just whoring.

No, it's how things work. And yes, they might like America and Americans a tad more if we help build infrastructure, rather than shackle them with debt or boss them around.

Throwing their weight around has saved many countries from a variety of despots and dictators.

Ahahahahaha

Do you really need me to list the "despots and dictators" the US has supported over the years? Mubarak, Pinochet, Suharto, Marcos, Shah Reza, Diem, Thieu, Somoza, the Duvaliers....

The world knows who to call when they're in trouble. Who else but America?

Who do they call when America is the one causing them trouble?

Nonsense! Then why would there be millions more of food stamp recipients?

1) SNAP participation has not changed significantly since last August.
2) SNAP participation is not the exclusive measure of the nation's economic health or progress.
3) I did not say that "the economy is perfect!" What I said is that the economy is not currently declining, it is gradually recovering.

 

[Papa bull]

Obama probably wants to try being president of Kenya next and is just starting up with the freestuff early to grease the wheels. Freestuff has worked for him so far so he's going to keep riding that horse.

What's all the whining and gnashing of teeth about? It's only 7 billion. Why should people who dishonestly snivel about Bush wiping out the Clinton surpluses care about 7 lousy billion dollars? Since we can't even fund our own budget, why not throw money at other countries. They need more electricity in Africa because without it, they can't use the internet and without the internet, they can't send us phishing e-mails and we won't have all these wonderful opportunities to get millions of dollars for free by helping them sneak it out of their country after a rich sheikh dies.

 

[YoungConserv]

Yeah more debt!

 

[davidtaylorjr]

Obama announces Africa electricity initiative.....

A large protest group rallies on the streets as they march to the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Arfica, in protest of US President Barack Obama's visit to South Africa on June 28, 2013

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 30 (UPI) -- The United States will chip in $7 billion for an ambitious project to bring electricity to more far-flung areas of Africa, President Obama said Sunday.

Obama's plan would lay out $7 billion over five years. Most of the aid will come in the form of assistance with industry best-practices, insurance and technical advice for energy development. Alternative energy sources such as solar and hydropower along with traditional oil and natural gas will be used to increase generation in the region by an additional 10,000 megawatts.

Power Africa includes six African nations -- Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania – and will also work with Mozambique and Uganda on petroleum development, the White House said.

Read more: [UPDATE] Obama commits $7 billion to Power Africa development plan - UPI.com

Imagine that :roll: .....here Obama runs around our Country talking about our failing infrastructure yet will go and take 7 BILLION, that's Right 7 Billion. Not Million and hand the money over to what he is calling Power Africa. Sequester Cuts be damn. Anyone else seeing something wrong with this.

What do those liberals and Progressives have to say now? Still thinking your man is looking out for your best interests? This fool throws money terms round like what he is giving away is nothing more than mere pennies. He continually keeps screwing up in the world where the Big Boyz play. This is a sure sign that he does not belong out playing where those big boys play. He just doesn't have what it takes to wear the Big Boyz Pants. Time for even his own people to step up and tell him.....What happened to taking care of our own Infrastructure? Did ya take ya eye off the ball again?

Just where does this moron think we have the money to waste on others at this point in time?

More Obama irresponsibility, why does this not surprise me?

 

[Grant]

No, we aren't. That's a conservative myth, with little basis in reality.

What is your reality then? Is there no debt at all?

Uh, no, not even close. Interest payments are around 6% of federal spending. Defense is 23%, health care 24%, pensions 24%. All foreign aid -- including military and non-military aid -- is about 1% of the budget.

Government - Interest Expense on the Debt Outstanding

National Debt Interest Payments Dwarf Other Government Spending [CHART] - US News and World Report

You'll notice I said said soon, which will be in the next few years or so. This 'so far.so good' attitude towards national debt is seriously irresponsible and will effect everyone. Interest rates are historically low right now but with the US printing money the way it has done, interest rates are bound to go up as money becomes less valuable.

The 0.04% of annual spending that Obama plans to spend on this program is utterly negligible.

Yes, it's all negligible but soon adds up to trillions of dollars that nobody has.

Uh, hello? The federal government's credit rating wasn't lowered because the US couldn't possibly pay the interest. It's because the Republicans in Congress didn't want to authorize borrowing required by the spending bills they signed.

It doesn't matter who you want to blame. The debt is there and has to be dealt with. The debt is owed by everyone and not members of any particular party.

1) China is building plenty of infrastructure. Last summer, Hi Jintao loaned $20 billion for infrastructure to African nations -- and most of it is oriented towards methods of extracting natural resources from those nations. They do so without any concern for human rights violations, quality of government or levels of corruption.

And? China is investing and the US is giving money away. Who do you think has the better strategy?

2) China is getting access to Africa's markets and resources because of these actions.

Exactly! And Obama is being told to go home.

Oh, I dunno. How about hospitals, offices, shops, homes, and businesses? :roll:

Where are they? Where are they going to get the money to build them?

I mean, really. If a town in Ohio lost its power, would you suggest we not bother to restore it, because electricity isn't "really" necessary?

Certainly. But not a town in Africa. The people in this Oho town can restore there power rather easily.

Oh, I dunno. How about anyone in the US who is selling some of the $2.2 trillion in exports per year? Or how about the ones who don't want to be attacked by terrorists on a regular basis?

Do you think those markets will dry up because they don't like Americans? Do you feel you have to like people in order to do business with them? Most of those people involved in international trading have never even met.

Isolationism is not a valid option, especially since our government has been interfering in other governments in a variety of ways for decades.

I never called for isolation.

No, it's how things work. And yes, they might like America and Americans a tad more if we help build infrastructure, rather than shackle them with debt or boss them around.

What are you talking about? Americans can't even build their own infrastructure and you're saying they should build Africa's infrastructure in order that the may like you???

Do you really need me to list the "despots and dictators" the US has supported over the years? Mubarak, Pinochet, Suharto, Marcos, Shah Reza, Diem, Thieu, Somoza, the Duvaliers....

You seem to know as little of international politics as you d about economics, Best not go there.

Who do they call when America is the one causing them trouble?

Sweden? Russia? China?

1) SNAP participation has not changed significantly since last August.
2) SNAP participation is not the exclusive measure of the nation's economic health or progress.
3) I did not say that "the economy is perfect!" What I said is that the economy is not currently declining, it is gradually recovering.

Significantly? Does that mean it has gone up or down? I think we both know the answer to that one.

 

[Grant]

Obama probably wants to try being president of Kenya next and is just starting up with the freestuff early to grease the wheels.

Don't you have to be born in Kenya to be President there?

 

[Born Free]

No, we aren't. That's a conservative myth, with little basis in reality.

Lets deal with reality, how much are we in debt again? And how much are we adding to that debt every year?

 

[Papa bull]

Don't you have to be born in Kenya to be President there?

I think so, but I'm not sure Obama considers that an obstacle.

 

[Grant]

I think so, but I'm not sure Obama considers that an obstacle.

You think maybe he knows something we don't?? >)