Comment by smileysteve | Hacker News Reader

Comment by smileysteve | Hacker News Reader

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"compensated well" is an interesting takeaway on HackerNews where in a corporate world a chief economist would likely be compensated as a CFO, Chief Strategy Offer, or at least Partner of a VC firm, easily at 100xv earnings.

"Purpose" is also a less loaded word than "Charity", and whether you view USAIDs purpose as promoting American Exceptionalism or reducing global issues like hunger or disease, USAID was more influential than the World Monetary Fund, and often times the UN. Denigrating of this purpose in this organization is similar to suggesting a Joint Chief of the US Military doesn't really impact the world (which may be more truthful than I know if the US leaves NATO, the UN, and creates a power Vacuum in influence that other states like China fill)

Government workers get several benefits that most American private sector employees do not enjoy, but let's ignore that. The simple truth is that the Washington DC area is very well compensated.

> "Purpose" is also a less loaded word than "Charity", and whether you view USAIDs purpose as promoting American Exceptionalism

American exceptionalism is mainly driven by America's private sector (including private community organizations, non-profits, AND business). The government obviously plays a role, but USAID is not the main driver of American exceptionalism.

US exceptionalism is mainly driven by the American government.

It provides the stability/consistent and predictable rule of law under which businesses can be invested in, and that allows for a robust business investment environment. These laws include things like not holding founders accountable for a return on investment (China is currently imprisoning founders and requires a return on investment).

It provides the research that resulted in things like the internet, or for companies such as Google: https://www.nsf.gov/news/origins-google The research that led to microprocessors and semiconductors. The research now used by ASML. SpaceX & Blue Origin are build on prior NASA funded research.

It provides the social systems that allows the companies to exist (law enforcement, contract law, educated employees). It provides the defence of the world's shipping lanes. It provides the legal protections overseas.

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