Norway’s pension fund is the biggest sovereign wealth fund in the world with a value of 2 trillion US dollars. The dividends of 2024 were around half that, whereas USAID’s annual budget is 4%, or a 25th, of that at $40 billion. Using some of that money to take over USAID would make perfect sense, as well as help citizens of the world.
Witnessing the corrupt Elon-Donald presidency fire 14,000 people from USAID and shutting down most of its work is exceptionally sad and depressing. Not only will this cause thousands or millions of deaths and throw many more people into poverty every year, the shameful, egocentric and coward pullout will also greatly damage the already strained relations between rich, poor and developing countries. Not to mention how this may be the real start of the death of the USA as a country. Throwing the important and influencial programme instilled by JFK in 1961 into the dumpster is plain stupid and puts the narrow-minded amateurism currently at work in the White House on full display. Why would you voluntarily give up on one of the most successful programmes of soft power, that as a bonus boosts your own economy through jobs and purchases?
Oh well; selfish, narcissistic and arrogant imbeciles will imbecile.
And just for the record, I don’t think the mere 49 per cent of American voters that last year, allegedly, voted for the current president wanted to gravely undermine their own country.
Be careful who you vote for.
So, what about us? Either the rest of the world buys a lot of popcorn to watch this atrocity in real time, or we act swiftly to try limit the damage that is about to hit our sisters and brothers of all races, faiths and ages outside of the western bubble we are so lucky to be living within. Not only do we have stable or semi-stable governments, decent wages, good infrastructure, freedom of speech and strong passports that enable us to roam the world, we have also accumulated a lot of wealth that we cannot in good faith keep to ourselves.
Let Fascistan, the country formerly known as the United States of America, create a lot of noise while others take responsibility and act. Norway has the means to do this alone, or to at least take the lead. Other participants should include the EU, Japan, Korea, South Africa, the UK and Canada. But it has to happen fast, before the abrupt end to the many benefits of USAID really start biting. Or before China, or even Russia, rises to the occasion. I am sure Xi Jinping has already eyed the opportunity and sent envoys all over the place. With no opposition or competition he can act fast.
Can we? Â Â
Jens Stoltenberg ran NATO for 10 years. Earlier this week he returned to the Norwegian Administration as Minister of Finance. The labour party politician has also been Norway’s prime minister twice and is better connected in the Western world than pretty much anyone. How about you start off with a blast, Mr. Stoltenberg?
Make NORWAID the new USAID. We have an obligation to share our good fortunes and work together. Â
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Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian author. The 49 year old has travelled to every country in the world twice througout the last 25 years and he believes in building bridges between countries, cultures and people.