Bailing Out The World
January 3rd, 2009Bailing Out The World
Mad? You Should Be
So, how much money did the United States dole out to the world in 2008?
With a faltering economy and increasing job losses, you would think that we’d take care of our own beyond all others. Sadly, this isn’t the case. It never has been, and there’s no indication that it will be in the foreseeable future.
The U.S.gave an estimated $26 billion in foreign aid in 2008 – and this figure doesn’t include funds related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 150 countries get financial assistance from the United States. Here are the top 10:
- Israel — $2.4 billion : Virtually all of this money is used to buy weapons (up to 75% made in the U.S.). Beginning in 2009, the U.S. plans to give $30 billion over 10 years.
- Egypt — $1.7 billion : $1.3 billion to buy weapons; $103 million for education; $74 million for health care; $45 million to promote civic participation and human rights.
- Pakistan — $798 million : $330 million for security efforts, including military-equipment upgrades and border security; $20 million for infrastructure.
- Jordan — $688 million : $326 million to fight terrorism and promote regional stability through equipment upgrades and training; $163 million cash payment to the Jordanian government.
- Kenya — $586 million : $501 million to fight HIV/AIDS through drug treatment and abstinence education and to combat malaria; $15 million for agricultural development; $5.4 million for programs that promote government accountability.
- South Africa — $574 million : $557 million to fight TB and HIV/AIDS; $3 million for education.
- Mexico — $551 million
- Colombia — $541 million
- Nigeria — $491 million
- Sudan — $479 million
Let your elected officials know that you’re not happy about this.
Money For Nothing
May 17th, 2008Money For Nothing
Not…
Well, crap. The Mega Millions lottery didn’t end up quite as I had hoped. That $196,000,000 went to someone else.
Good thing I didn’t quit my job before the drawing…
This, of course, means that the rest of you will need to continue working as well. While I did plan to distribute the winnings amongst my readers, that just can’t happen now.
But hey, it was the thought that counts, right?
Share The Love
May 13th, 2008Share The Love
Instant Wealth
I don’t normally buy lottery tickets. I have better things to spend money on, and they all provide me with a much higher level of satisfaction – since they all provide more measurable returns on my investment.
But today I figured, what the heck… This Mega Millions jackpot is around $166,000,000. I’ll spend a buck on that.
Note, however, that there was a guy ahead of me in line buying $1,000 worth of tickets. This is not an exaggeration. He litterally purchased 1,000 tickets. There’s little doubt in my mind that there were any number of things that he should have been spending this money on.
You know this guy is going to be really pissed when my one ticket wins, and his thousand become worthless trash.
Anyhow… I’ve decided that when I win – you know, tonight – I’m going to share the winning with all of the Blog About Nothing readers. That is, if any of y’all are interested in free money.
Just be sure to check in here tomorrow to learn how and where to claim your share of the jackpot.
Hmmm… I might require that you tattoo “blogaboutnothing.com” onto one of your body parts (to be selected by me), but that’s a small sacrifice for the large sum of money you’ll get in return.
Stimulating Packages
April 25th, 2008Stimulating Packages
The Downward Spiral
So, the economic stimulus tax rebates are on their way. Make sure you fasten your seat belts because the economy is suddenly going to take off like a rocket!
Yeah, right…
Most people will use this “rebate” to pay bills. Others might save it. And I’m sure a very large portion of it will end up in the hands of the oil companies.
And those who decide to go ahead and spend this money – what do you think they’ll be buying?
Chances are it will be a Japanese televison or video game system. Maybe a Japanese camera, or a Chinese-made iPod.
Excuse me, this is going to help the economy how?
I’m not hurting for money, and don’t really need this rebate. Maybe I’ll donate mine to the Get The Fuck Out Of Iraq Fund. In my opinion, there’s no better way to help the American economy right now.
As of this writing, the war in Iraq has cost American taxpayers $514,286,975,551. This increases by approximately $341,000,000 per day.
I’m not “anti-war”. I’m not even “anti-Iraqi-war”. But the time has come where the cost in human lives and American dollars is far greater than the return on investment.
