America is facing the toughest economic challenges in our nation’s history. We are 20 trillion dollars in debt.

We must rebuild a depleted military.

One in five Americans are on some sort of public assistance. We spend more than we take in. And, we are engaged in an ongoing war against radical Islam.

Now is the time to put America first and rethink and cut back on foreign aid.

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The American people are the most charitable and generous on the face of the earth. Having said that, we must now as a nation concentrate on our own economic well being before we devote resources we can’t afford to others.

Now is the time for other nations to pick up the slack and step up to the plate and be as helpful as we have been. It is about time that the world communities help more and look to the U.S. less. The United States has done more than its fair share for others since our birth as a nation.

According to the Council of Foreign Relations – America doled out nearly $49 billion in foreign aid to 200 countries in 2015. This represents approximately 1.3 percent of our annual budget. The biggest recipients of U.S. foreign aid have gone to 5 countries that received in excess of 1 billion dollars: Afghanistan ($5.5 billion), Israel ($3.1 billion), Iraq ($1.8 billion), Egypt ($1.5 billion), and Jordan ($1.1 billion).

American foreign aid is given in four main categories:

Long-term development (38 percent) – Health programs and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, and the UN Development Program. Military and security (35 percent) – Assistance to allies in purchasing U.S. military equipment, training of foreign military, and funding peacekeeping missions. Counternarcotics programs and nonproliferation and counterterrorism. Humanitarian aid (16 percent) – Funding of short-term crises, such as famine and natural and manmade disasters. Political aid (11 percent) – Support of political stability, free market economic reforms, democratic institutions, justice system reforms, human rights, peace talks, and treaty implementation.

At this critical time to our country’s financial and national security well being it is imperative that we curtail our support to others.

Many want from America but the test for assistance should be need and whether assistance is in America’s national interests.

The American people should demand that our government leaders put America first. We need to come together as a nation and vow to solve our own problems before we seek to solve the problems of others.

We have a long and proud history of helping others and we should be proud of that. But, when times are tough in America, I do not see others rushing to our side. One reason is because many nations are in the same boat economically as we are.

Now is a time for national sacrifice and responsibility. All Americans must be prepared to do their part to restore America to her greatness.

Many of the problems we face are self-inflicted. There is no one to blame but us. We kick the can down the road but never seem to solve problems.

So let’s not cast blame — let’s seek solutions.

Some politicians seek to pit us against each other. But, our renewal requires shared sacrifice and respect for each other. We are one nation.

A strong and prosperous America is important to the stability and prosperity of the world.

We have an obligation as a world power to get healthy as soon as possible for our own well-being and the well-being of others.

A weak America – be it economic, political or national security — means a more dangerous and less secure world.

America gives more in foreign aid than any other country on the planet and while we will continue to give we cannot give what we cannot afford.

America first is not selfish it is imperative to our very survival.

Bradley A. Blakeman is professor of public policy, politics and international affairs at Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies and was a member of President George W. Bush's senior White House staff from 2001 to 2004. He is also a frequent contributor to Fox News and Fox Business Channel.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.