The Disaster of Shutting Down USAID
J.D. Gingerich
This is a disaster - for the United States and for the world. It is also deeply personal. Some of the most rewarding and impactful work of my career was with USAID projects in Kosovo, Haiti and Indonesia. The organization that I work for - the National Center for State Courts - currently has projects and employees spread across the world to help struggling democracies and countries emerging from war to build stronger and more effective judicial systems and preserve the rule of law. This is in our country's interest and the interest of companies that want to do business in foreign countries, citizens who want to travel, and anyone anywhere that is or will be impacted by international crime and terrorism.
On an even more personal level, the humanitarian aid and assistance that is provided around the world is the one thing that our government does that is most consistent with my own religious calling. I am not one who believes that my personal religious beliefs provide an appropriate reason for government action. But I am proud that we recognize that, as an extremely wealthy nation, we have a responsibility to care about others in the world who live in deep poverty, have no access to medical care, face starvation, and often watch their children die. For me, it is central to the Gospel.
USAID was the vision of John F. Kennedy who saw this as a way for the United States to not only assist a world in need but to build good will and positive relationships in ways that benefit US interests. It is an agency that was created by Congress and funded through appropriations approved by Congress. President Trump has no authority to unilaterally impound funds appropriated by Congress and certainly has no authority to eliminate an agency.
I ache for this action that is so antithetical to the interests and credibility of our country; I ache for professionals of all stripes and backgrounds around the world who have dedicated their lives to international humanitarian service; and I ache for countries, hospitals, hunger and disaster relief agencies, conflict reduction programs, crime fighting and rule of law programs, citizens, families, and especially innocent children - whose lives are impacted today and possibly forever.
May God forgive us.
On an even more personal level, the humanitarian aid and assistance that is provided around the world is the one thing that our government does that is most consistent with my own religious calling. I am not one who believes that my personal religious beliefs provide an appropriate reason for government action. But I am proud that we recognize that, as an extremely wealthy nation, we have a responsibility to care about others in the world who live in deep poverty, have no access to medical care, face starvation, and often watch their children die. For me, it is central to the Gospel.
USAID was the vision of John F. Kennedy who saw this as a way for the United States to not only assist a world in need but to build good will and positive relationships in ways that benefit US interests. It is an agency that was created by Congress and funded through appropriations approved by Congress. President Trump has no authority to unilaterally impound funds appropriated by Congress and certainly has no authority to eliminate an agency.
I ache for this action that is so antithetical to the interests and credibility of our country; I ache for professionals of all stripes and backgrounds around the world who have dedicated their lives to international humanitarian service; and I ache for countries, hospitals, hunger and disaster relief agencies, conflict reduction programs, crime fighting and rule of law programs, citizens, families, and especially innocent children - whose lives are impacted today and possibly forever.
May God forgive us.