When the US comes to the aid of another country -- like Pakistan during the current earthquake relief or the nations hit by the Christmastime tsunami -- Uncle Sam has to spend extra money to haul food from the US.It would be cheaper to buy some of the food in the region where the disaster hit. But disaster relief efforts become windfalls for companies at home.
But Senate leaders have stopped an attempt to buy just 25% of the food closer to the disaster. They even shot down a plan to buy as little as 10% of the food locally.
Transportation costs eat up 40% of the money the government spends on food aid.
Not only would the move save taxpayers money, it would work to put cripled economies back on their feet after a disaster. (Fresno Bee)
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