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Yuri Bezmenov's avatar

"Trade over aid, opportunity over dependency, and investment over assistance."

Fantastic framework. NGOs and charity are abject failures, just like socialism. I recommend everyone at the State Department watch the documentary "Empire of Dust": https://yuribezmenov.substack.com/p/its-all-so-tiresome-empire-of-dust

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CC's avatar

Even Obama was concerned about the grift of Third World Leaders who were enriching themselves and ignoring their people…let’s hope Rubio’s refocusing diminishes this abuse as well.

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Leah Ayelet's avatar

You can be concerned and not break the laws of the constitution of human decency at the same time that that's possible you know and there's no abuse going on. That's ridiculous. I really would like you to show me where it's happening. I really would. Maybe I'm just not seeing it and that's possible. I'm not trying to be rude. I'm honestly thinking you know I possibly could've missed something. I am really not the type of person who just I sometimes do it when I get upset, but I shouldn't do that because I don't know everything either or I changed my mind the more information I have on a subject so if there's something I'm missing please I would like you to show me. Thank you.

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Haruki Sato's avatar

Just to add to my earlier point — Japan shows how real allies thrive through self-reliance and respect for their cultural traditions. A Japanese article (I can translate if helpful) illustrates this spirit: Idol Fans Come Together, Deliver ‘More Than Imagined’ Efforts in Disaster Volunteer Work

https://withnews.jp/article/f0200323000qq000000000000000W0dy10101qq000020681A

One campsite owner said, “We couldn’t get the government support we hoped for and were at a loss. But with Up Up Girls (2) and so many volunteers coming to help, things picked up. It’s given us momentum for a full recovery.”

Communities like this reflect Japan’s cultural sovereignty in action — ordinary people stepping up with dignity and solidarity. That’s why respecting Japan’s traditions and independence makes the alliance so strong, and why trust and partnership always work better than dependency.

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Monique Spence's avatar

Key ingredients mentioned and required of any successful relationships, trust, integrity and decency in treatment, behavior and support.

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Haruki Sato's avatar

That’s a powerful framework, and it highlights why respect and reciprocity are so important in foreign policy. One example is Japan: unlike many aid recipients, it has been a loyal partner that contributes to shared security and prosperity. When America shows respect for Japan’s cultural sovereignty and free expression instead of outside agendas, it rewards loyalty and strengthens trust — exactly the kind of durable partnership that makes trade and investment succeed.

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Monique Spence's avatar

Socialism is not bad. Low character humanism destroys any kind of ism governance including capitalism free and fair. Told my colleagues at USAID for years that “bandaid” would contribute to its ending. Told my colleagues for years you can not sell an American TV to someone living on $2 a day. USAID should not have been closed for following orders. Agree merger with State would have been better. Sustainable development requires a lot of diplomacy and engagement. Congress members should be fired too. As the oversight entity in our democracy they failed to protect USAID as a government implementation institution from narrow selfish interests that derailed the Agency’s focus on sustainable development and projects that supported American markets. Real men take responsibility for their failures. Rubio you should be the first to acknowledge your failure in this oversight function as a member of Congress if you are not a coward.

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Leah Ayelet's avatar

Hi murder with State could you please tell me what you mean when you're talking about that? I feel like I'm missing something. I'm not trying to be rude. I'm trying to understand because I really do believe in State sovereignty. I like that I can leave Florida and go to Massachusetts because the education up there is better and that's just more for me. I like the weather you know like this it's just more my style and hey people get to come down here they like this heat maybe when I'm older I'll appreciate it more and I'll come back lol and I really do love it here too I really do and I'm debating actually I'm not sure. Unfortunately not having a baby. I can't so I might stay but anyway, sorry there's a glimpse into my life. Yeah I just was curious. Thanks because I'm thinking this is why I know this country is far too fast to have a federal law for everything there's oversight this mandates of course that's normal but the constitution you can't mean if you start doing whatever you want and ignoring the constitution with the proper amendment so forth my should just rip it up and use toilet paper we don't wanna do that. Our constitution is pretty cool if we follow away Congress not abiding by their oath even if I agree with them, it's wrong with Donald Trump or any presidential government writing roughshod even if I like them it's against a constitution so it doesn't matter.

A lot of egregious EO's went out and it's obvious because those that are whose job the little job to interpret the laws said so in Congress knew that and they just let it go. They sit on the arrest to do nothing and that pissed me off even if I agreed with what it was, it's not the point you know what I'm saying that's all.

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Elia Ayoub's avatar

How's the boot tasting Yuri?

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Piero Montemaggiore schreiber's avatar

Indeed was a great documentary. In South America we understand well this ideology…

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Leah Ayelet's avatar

Hi my husband's a citizen, but he was raised primarily in Uruguay. I was just wondering where you're from! Uruguay is a fantastic country. I love their government first one to legalize marijuana, same-sex marriage, no religion in the laws first democracy really truly a real democracy and really cool country. Love it.. I love Argentina and Chile too and I love Colombia and Brazil, but I have to explore Brazil in Argentina as well. I was only in Buenos Aires yeah we have a lot of exploding to do. I want to go to more remote areas. Argentina is so gorgeous and I like the weather there too. Where would you suggest we go next know too expensive for I'm not exactly I'm working on my masters, so I can't afford too much lol.

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Piero Montemaggiore schreiber's avatar

Hi. Well indeed I’m from Argentina. But yes indeed Uruguay is a good country. Their policies in reference of recreational drugs are mostly legal . About open relationships and same sex marriage well. I guess I’m not going to be able to to answer. But certainly I respect your preferences. If your husband is natural from Uruguay perhaps his relatives can come explain you 🆎out it . Maybe if you can a short time period in punta del este can be good . Best of luck.

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Jennifer Sims's avatar

Who do you think is actually going to run the actual America First programs? The NGOs are going to do it. Stop demonizing the NGOs and the people trying to go good in the world. It's gross and unbecoming. The problem was systemic, and they're addressing that, but in the meantime let's not crap on our brothers and sisters who chose careers to do some good.

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Leah Ayelet's avatar

Assistance is an investment in our economy

ROA of 3% on average

I'm not trying to be rude here. I'm just being honest it's cool. I looked it up. I wasn't quite sure myself. I just found that out.

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Gene Frenkle's avatar

Tag team back again!!!

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