Time has shown foreign aid benefits us, too

The recent G-7 summit shows great promise from the leading liberal democracies to help support developing nations recover from COVID-19. Over the past couple years we have seen a trend of attempts to limit foreign aid, but we are now seeing a reversal of that. Pledges were made to give out 1 billion vaccines out and offer loans to all developing nations.

I am a Borgen Project ambassador, and it is my job to help build awareness and to mobilize people to stand up and provide more aid to the world's impoverished.

There have been several times throughout history where the route of foreign aid has been clear, as it is now. From these times, we have seen substantial returns from our investment. For example, post World War II, the U.S. enacted the Marshall Plan that gave more than $12 billion to Western Europe. Since then, we have seen a return of over $300 billion.

By increasing aid to these developing countries during trying times, the United States would see exponential growth in economic power.

I urge everyone to contact Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin to show support for an increase in the International Affairs budget.

Jon Molidor

Johnsburg