[BobaFloutist]

Because we already volunteered to do this specific thing, so it's incredibly disruptive for us to back out at (or well after) the last minute. Other countries do other things, and it would be similarly disruptive if they pulled or froze funding and operational support with 0 notice.

It'd be like if Microsoft donated free copies of Windows to a hospital and then one day was like "Actually we've been donating too much stuff, your licenses are invalid as of today, your computers will now not work." It would be similarly strange to ask why Microsoft's contribution is so critical to anything outside their own company, when it's because they made it that way on purpose, partially for PR purposes, partially from genuine altruism, and partially to tie Microsoft's well-being to the hospital's.

[normalaccess]

It's always a shame when people get used to free things because they lose the ability to provide for themselves.

I say we stop so other countries can spin up their own programs and pay for it. I have zero interest in using TAX dollars to fund medical programs outside the US.

[normalaccess]

For people down-voting, it's no different than being told "Don't feed the bears" and Yellowstone Park. It's worse off for the animals because they become dependent.

Link to Eric Olszewski's blog on the topic: https://medium.com/@eolszewski/dont-feed-the-humans-they-wil...

[bryanlarsen]

Stopping HIV & drug-resistant TB outside of the US borders directly benefits Americans.

[wakawaka28]

That is indirect at best.

[BobaFloutist]

It's always a shame when people make major commitments and then flake on them at the last minute.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that you realize that diseases don't honor national borders?