Would it be cost prohibitive to restore USAID once this regime

[no_hypocrisy]

is out of power?

[pat_k]

1. Where there is a will, there is a way

We are a big f-ing nation. And we have vast resources that even a slightly more sane and progressive tax system would tap.

The question is, can we generate the political will to do it?

I believe we can.

And not just reinstating and expanding USAID.

I believe that we can generate the political will for Universal Health Care.

I believe we can generate the political will for Basic Income.

Is the political will there now?

No. But does that mean it needs to be "off the table" as "impractical" "impossible" or whatever hope and action stifling messages the professional political class may want to toss out there? No way.

Our leaders in the Democratic Party have been silent on the big goals for way, way too long. It now falls to us -- people in our local communities -- to be the noisemakers. We need to push our leaders to lead. And we need to get creative in being citizen lobbyists and messengers ourselves.

Even something as simple as raising money in a community to put up an effective, well-placed billboard message. Every person who sees it who gave even a few dollars looks and is able to say to themselves. "I helped make that happen."

And those sorts of actions with clear feedback inspire hope and more action.

[Irish_Dem]

2. I would think the poverty, disease, homelessness, destitution, here at home will be the priority.

I don't know if there will be money right away to give to other countries.

[dalton99a]

6. +1. There is very little popular support for foreign aid

except perhaps emergency disaster relief

[Irish_Dem]

7. We are told the US cannot afford healthcare, education

For its own citizens

[vanlassie]

3. I think we should explain to people that the reason

we have been able to call ourselves “The Greatest Nation” was because we lead the world in supporting other democracies. With the abrupt and heartless shutting down of USAID, we are deliberately removing ourselves from this status.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. All cards are on the table

When the Regime ends.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Might, some day in the distant future, be able to restore the money, but the USA's reputation is shot forever.

[EdmondDantes_]

8. I doubt our reputation is shot forever

Many other countries are having their own Trump style movements. Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, etc. Our reputation survived us having slavery, never having had a woman as head of state, our own imperial history, our history of supporting ugly right wing dictators. We've never been perfect and we've always waffled on our commitment to our ideals.

[EllieBC]

9. The US can't even afford

to house, feed, and provide medical treatment for its own citizens, or so they’ve said.

Compassion fatigue is very real and if things keep getting worse there will be no appetite by many US residents to help people elsewhere before people in the US are helped.