Lusaka – So, remember that feel-good story about how we, the glorious U.S. taxpayer, were single-handedly eradicating AIDS in Zambia? Turns out, all it took was a slight reduction in the endless flow of your hard-earned cash for the whole thing to start circling the drain. Who could have possibly seen that coming?

For years, we've been shoveling money into Zambia through PEPFAR and other feel-good initiatives, patting ourselves on the back for 'saving lives.' And yeah, maybe some lives were saved. But what happens when the money faucet gets turned down a notch? The whole house of cards collapses, apparently.

Now, we're hearing sob stories about medication shortages and prevention programs being cut back. Because, of course, nobody in Zambia bothered to build a sustainable healthcare system of their own. Why bother when Uncle Sam is always there to foot the bill?

Let's be real: Foreign aid is just a giant grift. It's a way for politicians to look good while lining the pockets of corrupt bureaucrats and NGOs. And who pays the price? You do, the American taxpayer.

The bleeding hearts will whine about 'global health equity' and our 'moral obligation.' But I say, charity begins at home. We've got our own problems to solve, like the national debt, the border crisis, and the woke indoctrination of our kids. Why are we sending billions of dollars overseas when we can't even take care of our own people?

The real solution isn't more foreign aid. It's economic freedom, limited government, and individual responsibility. If Zambia wants to solve its AIDS problem, it needs to get its act together, cut the corruption, and create a free market economy that allows its citizens to prosper.

But hey, that would require actual work and self-reliance. It's much easier to just hold out your hand and beg for more American taxpayer dollars.

So, next time you hear about a 'successful' foreign aid program, remember Zambia. Remember that these programs are often unsustainable, ineffective, and ultimately a waste of your money. And remember that the only way to truly help people is to empower them to help themselves. Now, where's my Bud Light?

The chickens have come home to roost, and it’s time for the Zambians to figure it out without constantly relying on Uncle Sam. Maybe now they'll learn a thing or two about self-sufficiency. Don't hold your breath.

Sources:

* PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) - because even the source of the problem can provide data! * The World Bank - for adding to the problem through soft loans and more debt. * National Taxpayers Union