Letter to the Editor: USAID was the little agency that could … until now
The gutting of USAID is damaging to the United States, Emily Greenberg writes in a letter to the editor.
Dear Editor,
In the grand theater of the absurd that is modern politics, we’ve reached a new act: the takedown of USAID. Yes, folks, the agency that’s been delivering American goodwill worldwide on a budget that wouldn’t cover a billionaire’s yacht maintenance is now under siege. And who’s leading the charge? A cadre of the ultra-wealthy who believe that compassion is so last season.
For more than 60 years, USAID has been the quiet hero, the Clark Kent of federal agencies, swooping in to provide aid during disasters, support development, and promote democracy. All this while costing us under $50 billion per year — less than 1% of the federal budget. It’s the kind of fiscal responsibility that would make your thrifty grandmother proud.
But in the past month, a storm has been brewing. Misinformation, power plays and a dash of elitist disdain have combined to put USAID on the chopping block. It’s like watching someone burn down their house because they don’t like the drapes.
To our leaders: It’s time to channel your inner superhero. Stand up against this farce. Protect the dedicated public servants who have been unceremoniously cast aside. If it means holding the federal budget hostage until sanity is restored, so be it. Because in the end, this isn’t just about an agency; it’s about who we are as a nation.
Sincerely,
Emily Greenberg
Oxford, Ohio
Emily Greenberg is a resident of Oxford, Ohio, and graduate of Talawanda High School. She spent over 17 years working as a federal/state government consultant in the Washington, D.C. area before moving back to Oxford in 2020.
