Politics
U.S. Taxpayer Dollars Under Scrutiny at United Nations
Clear Facts
- The United States contributes nearly a quarter of the United Nations’ total expenses, amounting to over $20 billion annually.
- U.S. taxpayer money funds various controversial U.N. activities, including tax-free salaries and questionable peacekeeping operations.
- There is a growing call for financial oversight and reform to address inefficiencies and misuse of funds within the U.N.
In the ongoing battle against wasteful spending, a significant opportunity for savings lies in the United States’ contributions to the United Nations. Each year, American taxpayers shoulder nearly a quarter of the U.N.’s financial burden, with contributions exceeding $20 billion. This includes over $3 billion in mandatory funding and additional voluntary contributions ranging from $10 to $15 billion annually. When factoring in in-kind support, the total U.S. contribution is likely even higher.
The allocation of these funds raises serious concerns. U.S. dollars are used for U.N. employees’ tax-free salaries, lounges for sports viewing, and media campaigns celebrating events like the “International Day of Neutrality” and the “International Day of Banks.”
Moreover, U.S. funds support peacekeeping missions, such as those in southern Lebanon, where U.N. forces have been criticized for their ineffectiveness in curbing Hezbollah’s activities.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is another area of concern, with U.S. dollars funding positions that sometimes oppose American interests. These include roles like a Chinese “Independent Expert” on financial obligations and an advocate for the International Criminal Court to address alleged American crimes.
There is potential for a significant budget overhaul and leadership shakeup at the U.N. through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As Anne Herzberg, legal adviser and U.N. representative of NGO Monitor, points out, “It is increasingly challenging for the United States to identify cost savings at the U.N. given the growing demands that U.N. member states place on the organization.”
The U.N.’s budgetary practices lack transparency, often approving new activities without clear cost assessments. This lack of oversight has led to misuse and corruption, with funds being redirected to satisfy various demands.
The U.S. has historically attempted to withhold funding from specific U.N. projects that conflict with American values, such as those targeting Israel. However, these efforts have been slow and insufficient in addressing the broader issues within the organization.
A comprehensive review of American expenditures at the U.N. is necessary, not to end U.S. generosity, but to ensure that taxpayer money is used effectively and aligns with national interests. While identifying savings may be challenging, DOGE is prepared to take on the task.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy could play pivotal roles in advocating for these reforms, potentially securing a multimillion-dollar win for American taxpayers. By addressing inefficiencies and demanding accountability, they could help protect the financial interests of the United States while promoting a more effective and transparent U.N.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Daniel Quigley
December 5, 2024 at 6:43 am
Personally I feel the United States should leave the UN. The amount of money we give them each and every year is beyond ridiculous. A Mandatory 3Billion that in itself is a Joke. How about the UN and all its Embassies start paying NYC all the Billions they owe in unpaid traffic and parking tickets and fines. How about they pay the United States a Monthly Rent for their use of that Building. They have a Free Ride in this country while there are Hundreds of Homeless Military Veterans which could all be housed in the building once they get told to find a new country to Mooch from. Whoever made the arrangements to allow the UN to move into NYC and never pay rent or parking tickets because they have Diplomatic Immunity should be charged with Treason and Publicly Hung. Just allowing the UN to operate in this country should more than pay off this 3 Billion. I’d love to know what every country pays the UN and how much in Unpaid Parking and Traffic Tickets each and every Country actually owes NYC. How about we just call it a wash and just stop giving this uncontrollable farce walking papers and let them immediately find a new place to call home.
john Conrad
December 6, 2024 at 11:21 am
wiki:
…..However, the US$8.5 million ($86 million in 2023) for X City never materialized, and Nelson Rockefeller purchased an option for Zeckendorf’s waterfront land in Turtle Bay. The purchase was funded by Nelson’s father, John D. Rockefeller Jr.[12][13] The Rockefeller family owned the Tudor City Apartments across First Avenue from the Zeckendorf site.[10] The city, in turn, spent $5 million ($51 million in 2023) on clearing the land.[9] Rockefeller donated the site to the UN in December 1946.[13][14][15] The UN accepted this donation, despite the objections of several prominent architects such as Le Corbusier.[13][14]
DEBORAH
December 5, 2024 at 6:59 am
WE NEED TO DEFUND THE U.N..REMOVE AMERICA FROM THE U.N….EVICT THE U.N. . THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF MARXIST TERRORISTS…THE MONEY AMERICA PAYS COULD BE PUT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS..WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE CARE THEY DESERVE…AMERICA FIRST ALWAYS….
Robert Cymraeg
December 5, 2024 at 7:17 am
It is high time that the US and Canada decouple from the UN. America needs to kick their offices out of NYC and America in total. The UN is NOT doing what it was supposed to do when it succeeded the league of Nations because it is little more than a cats paw for the radical socialists and Chinese interests. Agencies such as the WHO are totally disgraced and lost all meaning. Peacekeeping is not actually doing that, the ICC has become the Court for pregressing leftist interests and I am not sure if even UNICEF is working any more. The globalists want to use it as the means to control the world. It is now a near useless group and a waste of the US money. Ask yourself who but a fool would fund its enemies?
Sandy Smith
December 6, 2024 at 6:27 am
Totally disagree with this statement. This is a right wing writer who labels those who disagree as radical socialists.
john Conrad
December 6, 2024 at 11:25 am
On the contrary, of the hundreds of U.N. projects that conflict with American values, he brings up Israel as an example.
A S Gordon
December 7, 2024 at 12:38 pm
And, do you disagree with every other statement here indicating similar positions?
The genesis of the U. N. was well-intended and well-defined. It has devolved into a body that is corrupt, actually and morally, and is antithetical to U. S. interests. Time for an exit or, unlikely to develop, a thorough house-cleaning. The only approach, capable of that, is withholding the funds.
James
December 5, 2024 at 8:10 am
Amen to defunding the UN…a serious reduction in American taxpayer funding…do a serious audit of where money is spent and rid ourselves of wasteful spending and move the headquarters to Iran…
Djea3
December 6, 2024 at 7:51 am
Kick the UN off of US soil. Tel them NO MORE attempted control of the USA and no more of this nonsense. We of. the USA are so tired of supporting nearly 100% of the UN budget base on UN ordering us to.
James Johnson
December 17, 2024 at 12:15 am
Rather than abandoning the UN to a likely mutation into something worse, especially in the hands of our fellow members/enemies, the US needs to use its financial, strategic, and logistical stake in the organization as leverage for needed reforms. Trump started the anti-globalist ball rolling with his treatment of NATO, and he can do the same here, butressed by the sobering reality that his time on the world stage has been for real, having been ratified by increasing domestic and multicultural support in each of his three elections. Trump can fix it, even if it is as broken as the UN.