Is foreign aid much like welfare on a global scale?

I got no problem with helping out countries who truely needs genuine help. The problem is giving money away to countries that don't need, earned or derserved tax payers money. The leaders of those countries are corrupted by the Dollar that rolls in without question. Just like some have accused this presidency.

Foreign aid is a bribe of the foreign bureaucracy.

Yes, its actually bribes so the world doesn't hate us so much. Thanks to bush even that isn't working now.
And the majority of countries that are receiving aid are corrupt
Yes. Too much foreign aid is given to nations that do not need it or they waste it. I am not against giving aid to nations facing a costly reconstruction after a war or natural disaster, but giving aid to nations that refuse to modernize their governments is a waste.

Give it to the needy nations with strings attached and stress that its not a long term commitment, but a short term commitment to help the nation get on its feet.
some americans object to any type of money being spent on americans...while they are willing to give it away to foreigners overseas.

Its the old guns vs butter dilemna.
Foreign aid is only a salve to the conscience of the politicians.All countries should stand on their own financial feet .Aid is an excuse for poor nations to never improve.
Since they use the funds for immediate needs, yes. They don't work on the philosophy - give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach him to fish feed him & his family for life. Today one installs infrastructure where both the rich & poor can use it to create wealth.