[malandrew]

“The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America.” – FDR

I would say that FDR's observation applies as much to Africa or any other country as it does to America.

Not to say all aid it bad, but the world has been pretty indiscriminate in how it doles out aid to Africa and done a terrible job of observing second and third order effects and consequences that undermine the benefits of aid.

[ralusek]

The irony of FDR saying that, while having been responsible for creating an American welfare state that suffers from precisely the same pathology.

[malandrew]

This is one of the reasons I like to share this quote. Even the godfather of the welfare state was aware of the negative consequences of sustained welfare. That's an order of magnitude greater awareness of the unintended consequences of these policies that people pushing these policies today understand. It's good to show them that even their welfare state idol was aware that welfare is not some unassailable panacea.