The United States Federal Government should help to modernize third-world countries.

"Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant." -- Elie Wiesel Clarification: A common misconception regarding third-world countries is that "the poverty of the developing nations can be attributed to their failure to innovate, resulting in technological and therefore economic deficit" [1]. That is simply untrue. Western civilizations were able to expand and modernize through our colonial prowess; we subjected underdeveloped nations to blatantly unfair and outrageous policies such as slavery, manipulated labor, exploitation of resources, unequal trade, and military intimidation. In a sense, we [the Western world] are responsible for their inability to progress and transform. Through imperialism (and force), we have enslaved the individuals living in third world countries by forcing them to comply with our wants and needs. We continue to let them live in poverty so we can pursue our own economic agendas (i.e. cheap labor). Not only is this practice completely barbaric and entirely immoral, but the logic behind it has backfired and put the United States in a very comprimising situation... Issues: For one, many conscious Americans feel that we have "blood on our hands" so to speak, and feel somewhat responsible for the United State's contribution to the condition of many third-world countries today. It is because of our exploitation that these nations have been both exposed to the Western World (in other words, they know what they're missing out on), and prevented from achieving the status that we have maintained. Consider the United State's occupation of other countries since our inception. Because we are a capitalist driven economy, we are constantly seeking new ways to take advantage of those who are less fortunate than us for our own personal gain. In addition to being a humanitarian issue, these practices have consequently led to our own economic demise (with the most prevalent aspect of our suffering economy being the outsourcing of American jobs). Further, the unberable conditions of some third-world countries have forced people to seek refuge in the United States. As a result, we not only have immigrants working illegally for a fraction of the legal wage, but Americans have also been forced to pay for these immigrants (education, hospital visits, etc.) via our tax dollars. Proposition: The United States Federal Government should help to modernize third-world countries. While we still have to keep our own economic interests in mind, helping other nations build up their own economies will prevent people from bleeding ours dry via the influx of an unsustainable population. It is common knowledge, however, that our own economy is suffering and therefore one might assume that we do not have the resources to help other countries. The truth is that in helping underdeveloped nations, the U.S. can actually improve our own economic situation by creating a win-win situation for everyone involved. Here's an example. In 1947, the United States agreed via The Marshall Plan that we would give Europe $13 billion to recover from the damage of WWII. The catch? Well the money was to be used to buy products and services from the United States, and the goods had to be shipped using American vessels. In this situation, both parties benefitted. Europe was given the tools necessary to build up their own economies (many of which dominate the world today - especially the Germans), and Americans at home were able to live comfortably knowing that their jobs were secure. Justification: In the past, the U.S. has attempted to rectify some of the damage it has imposed on other people(s) including Native Americans and African Americans (via affirmative action). By helping to modernize third-world countries, we would effectively be doing good for others as well as ourselves. First, we can attempt to repay the countries we have exploited for centuries by bringing technology and democracy to them. While it would be wrong for us to assume that other countries wish to lead this Westernized kind of life, fortunately we don't have to assume anything -- we can see that mass movements to enter the United States BECAUSE of these things mean that other people want the same liberties and economic freedoms that we have. Second, other countries have repeatedly asked for our help. Consider the warm welcome George W. Bush received from Ghanians in February 2008. "Africa salutes you for these gestures of goodwill that are impacting the lives of many ordinary persons on the continent for the better. Here in Ghana, we appreciate the assistance of the United States in the establishment of strong and viable democratic institutions to engender fair elections, the rule of law, and respect for political and economic rights of all Ghanaians ... We welcome your government for facilitating measures to promote the setting up of private equity funds through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. We have no doubt that these far reaching measures will accelerate economic growth to change the fortunes of our continent and help bring the much needed relief and employment to millions of ordinary citizens of Africa ... In this regard, my government has always supported dialogue for resolving all problems on the continent, particularly Darfur, Somalia, and most recently Kenya and Chad. We welcome the assistance which the United States of America is offering through the United Nations and the African Union in the search for a solution to these conflicts" [2]. Third, undeniably the United States would have its own interests secured in choosing to help modernize third-world countries. Like I've mentioned, by bringing these much wanted/needed technologies to other countries (which would create jobs and help stabalize their economies), it would help to diminish the incredible amount of illegal immigration into the United States. Americans simply cannot afford to pay incredibly high taxes for the tens of millions of people who do not lawfully reside within our borders. Lower taxes means more money for consumer spending, thus jump-starting our economy towards future success and an end to this terrible recession. Further, in choosing to help these countries in need, the United States would also be securing hundreds of thousands of American jobs. A - there will be less immigrants working for lower pay, meaning more available jobs for Americans. B - More stabalized economies leads to less outsourcing, so more jobs can stay here at home. And C - by encouraging these developing nations to invest in American products, we will create many more jobs at home, especially in factories (the midwest) where the economy is taking the hardest hit. Finally, in choosing to improve the conditions of other nations, the U.S. can hopefully "clear its name" post the George W. Bush regime. It is common knowledge that we have lost a lot of respect world-wide as a result of our instigation of an incredibly unpopular war (to say the least). Hopefully our humanitarian efforts will be looked upon favorably by others, as well as supported by economists here at home. Bottom line: helping to modernize third-world countries can mutually benefit both American citizens, and the impoverished in other nations. Quote: [1] http://www.casacollective.org... Source: [2] http://www.whitehouse.gov...