Is foreign aid constitutional?

[JohnG]

My favorite story about the Federal Government spending money on charity is the story of Horatio Bunce.  If you have not read it here is a link:

http://www.juntosociety.com/patriotism/inytg.html

The story comes from “The Life of Colonel David Crockett,: published in 1884.

The only way foreign aid is constitutional is if it is part of a Treaty or is part of our national defense.  For those that would argue against foreign aid as part of national defense being constitutional I would refer you to the History of the Barbary Pirates.  The US paid ransoms and bribes to keep US citizens and shipping safe.  As this was done by our founding fathers, and I have yet to find any early documents saying they thought it was unconstitutional, I would think it could safely be considered constitutional.

[David S]

My favorite story about the Federal Government spending money on charity is the story of Horatio Bunce.  If you have not read it here is a link:

http://www.juntosociety.com/patriotism/inytg.html

The story comes from “The Life of Colonel David Crockett,: published in 1884.

The only way foreign aid is constitutional is if it is part of a Treaty or is part of our national defense.  For those that would argue against foreign aid as part of national defense being constitutional I would refer you to the History of the Barbary Pirates.  The US paid ransoms and bribes to keep US citizens and shipping safe.  As this was done by our founding fathers, and I have yet to find any early documents saying they thought it was unconstitutional, I would think it could safely be considered constitutional.

That is a great story. I read it many years ago but haven't been able to find it since. Thanks for the link.

[afleitch]

Is this not a rather tasteless debate? Just donate money...bunch of misers....

[minionofmidas]

Well, I can't really find anything, given that foreign aid doesn't really count as "commerce".  If it's not constitutional, it should be.

*Most* real life "foreign aid" is just commerce, though.

[JohnG]

Is this not a rather tasteless debate? Just donate money...bunch of misers....

The point is that we can, and should, donate privet money.  However Congress should not use any public money for and charity, at home or abroad.   

[JohnG]

That is a great story. I read it many years ago but haven't been able to find it since. Thanks for the link.

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