Foreign Aid For Women: Let's Do It, But Not That Way

Jillian Bandes | August 21, 2009 2:34 PM

I rarely agree with the New York Times, but their most recent piece on women's issues really got my estrogen pumping.

For all the legitimate concerns about how well humanitarian aid is spent, investments in education, iodizing salt and maternal health all have a proven record of success. And the sums are modest: all three components of our plan together amount to about what the U.S. has provided Pakistan since 9/11 — a sum that accomplished virtually nothing worthwhile either for Pakistanis or for Americans.

The only quibble I have is this: why does it have to be public aid? The assumption that Obama needs to do it all is depressing. Not only is it a role government shouldn't have to play, but it's just way less effective when government hands out aid instead of private entities. Lower taxes, and then let the private do-gooders step in.