Do you agree with Bill Gates that these 3 beliefs are only myths? (Gates Annual Letter)

Most foreign aid is a waste, it doesn't help the local population. Say there is a drought, people are starving, we send in foreign aid in the way of wheat. What happens? The local wheat farmers can't compete with free wheat, so they don't plant, which means there is no new crop, which means no food, which leads to staving people, which leads to more foreign aid. That's assuming that the aid even reaches the people it's intended to help, given the scandals. Aid going to the military, aid going into bank accounts, food aid being sold or those who receive the aid are forced to give some to landlords.

IF you're going to give aid, you're far better oft buy as much as you can locally, that gives incentives for people to improve their farming methods, meaning more food, it also get money in the local economy which get businesses growing. You see even when there is massive starvation, food is generally available, but the price is too high, if you help the poor buy food from local sources it's a win win.

The way we currently do foreign aid is a waste, we basically destroy the countries ability to dig itself out so they become dependent on the aid, forever.

These statements are indeed mythical. They may remain true, but that would be on us.

The first, that poor countries are destined to stay poor, has a complicated rub to it. If the resource and ecological situation looked more like the 17th-19th centuries, then no, it'd be simply grotesque if poor countries remained poor. However, now it may be that the whole planet must cut back on their living standards. It seems likely that poor countries would in any scenario be able to grow somewhat (while rich countries would need to make major sacrifices to their living standards), but it may not be possible for all of the world to live a European lifestyle.

The second again has a caveat: Foreign aid has to be done correctly. Many forms of foreign aid can lead to unnecessary projects instead of real infrastructure, the enrichment of tribal leaders and corrupt local and even national bureaucrats, dependency and the destruction of local industry.

The third is totally true. In fact, when people die, their family members tend to want to replace them. The best route to reducing population is to promote education, opportunities for women outside of the home, the growth of living standards, and contraceptives. When people have a choice, they tend to not have enough children to grow the population.

The first two I agree with entirely. The third, pending that an actual feasible solution is derived, I do believe is accurately a fact, not a myth.

I agree whole with my whole heart. Our drive to imperialism of the oldest cultures in the world have cause real damage. The realization that our influence comes with strings attached is what causes the resentments that are the makings of war. The facts stand up when you look at them. You can not help where it is not wanted or requested. Sure our culture is bound to the seven missions of mercy but that is but a kind myth to deal with the guilt of knowing we think we have the answers. If those people lived for thousands of years they will find a way to keep going without our help. If they ask we should do just what they ask and nothing more. I could go on about the wells we built so the natives could have water but we never gave them parts or the training to repair them now they just rust away. Technology may not be the gift we think it is.

3. If you save lives by healing people and relationships, then this creates a healthy balance so it would not cause overpopulation but more sustainable relations and structure within the given populations to stabilize it.

2. Yes and no, Foreign Aid wasted by handouts to corrupt leadership/govt is pouring money away. But Foreign Aid invested in Microlending, Business Training and Development, and Sustainable Campuses for education, training and health/social services would be more cost-effective. Ex: Architecture for Humanity, Pace Universal,
Grameen Foundation and other programs that invest in longterm development

1. See #2 If resources are invested and organized effectively, all countries can develop populations under all the different stages of economic and political growth, similar to a tiered academic system of classes, for the purpose of moving upward. Nobody has to stay in poverty; we need to set up a network where people of different classes and stages can access education and assistance to work their way up.

Example: campusplan.org rightsfortheworkers.org

Our use of foreign aid is not only a waste it is criminal. Obama had used our foreign aid to force African nations to change their laws to allow abortion and gay marriage. Foreign aid has become extortion. I think in Chicago politics it's call 'the shakedown'.

This really needs to be broken into 3 polls.

1. Is a Myth. Countries have grown dramatically once their culture became conducive to it.

2. Is not a myth. We see very little results for the amount of foreign aid we pay for.

3. Is a Myth, as there is a positive correlation between population and the rate of increase in quality of life. As counter-intuitive as it seems, more people means better quality of life as we have more minds working on any given problem, increasing the rate at which that problem will be solved.

I rarely agree with Mr. Gates on anything. He's not a very good barometer of what normal people think and do.

I have no problem with him doing whatever he wants with his, most likely, ill gotten gains. I have a huge problem with Mr. Gates speaking for the rest of us.