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Africa Subsaharan
Liberia – a model for US development aid
2011-11-17
From the Christian Science Monitor, a good piece on a rebuilding Liberia. One of the better things George Bush did behind the scenes, though of course he won't get the credit he deserves. At the end there's the usual bleating to save foreign aid.
Posted by:Steve White

#4  One of the more interesting ideas I've read, specific to Liberia, is an odd one.

The US has a lot of essentially unemployable, black ex-cons, who are likely not to re-offend for many reasons, but who have no future in the US.

So why not give them the equivalent of Peace Corps training, with the idea that they could go to Liberia, earn their Liberian citizenship through "good works", and be able to start fresh?

It would be set up under very strict rules, so that if they fouled up, they would be sent back to the US and lose their chance at a new life, and if they re-offended in Liberia, they would be under Liberian jurisdiction.

At the start they would be paid for their work in US dollars at US wages. 1 USD is worth 75 Liberian dollars, so even being paid US minimum wage, they would do very well on the Liberian economy.

Even what we think of as common skills could be very valuable in Liberia, and training for these skills could begin while many were still in prison, with an opportunity that would be a huge motivator to do well before they got out.

Likewise, their probation could be active schooling, with careful evaluation of behavior before they were put on the plane.

The alternative to this, btw, is that they remain public charges in the US, with a high likelihood to re-offend, because they cannot get legitimate work.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2011-11-17 10:18  

#3  George W Bush did all he could for Africa.
He took more care of anyone there than any President.

Liberia needs to be always in focus. We have obligations that must be filled and removed from. It is a responsibility for all of us to work ourselves out of a job.

Liberia must be cared for. THIS is not a regular country. Sirleaf has done well I think, but maybe we need to look at this country more.. It is one thing that is true that this is OUR responsibility., Lincoln old school.
Posted by: newc   2011-11-17 04:29  

#2  So, not to mention news of the Chinese expansion in Africa to you, phil_b?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2011-11-17 03:37  

#1  With Africa, no news is generally good news.
Posted by: phil_b   2011-11-17 01:43  

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