Stop U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel and Egypt

I will not sign any bill into law providing foreign aid to Israel and Egypt, if elected U.S. president in 2008. No more grants or loans for any purpose - military or otherwise.

As for Israel: For too long, we have provided welfare to this so-called bastion of Middle Eastern democracy (population: 6.3 million). While Israel may be a democracy, at least on paper, at times it behaves more like a self-righteous, militant theocracy. And I promise, if elected, to end our financial support of that enterprise.

As for Egypt: They've been getting about the same amount as Israel, since the signing of the Camp David Peace Accords. Actually, they've received a bit less, on less generous terms. I believe the sole use of our aid provided to the Egyptians is to suppress local dissent, especially in the form of the Muslim Brotherhood. [What else, you think they're worried about the Sudanese attacking them?] Who knows? Without our aid, the MB might have actually been elected to power as a popular movement long ago (heaven forbid we allow that). Perhaps, once in power, the MB could have had a chance to mellow and evolve away from the more radical elements of their brand of Islam. Generally, suppression breeds hate and terrorism.

As for both Israel and Egypt: Maybe they, and the other players in the Middle East, could better solve their problems without U.S. behind-the-scenes interference.

My passion on this subject is driven by these three considerations:

ONE: "From FY1974 through FY2003, Israel has received more than $45 billion in waived loans [from the U.S. government]." That's right... our government loaned $45 billion to Israel, and then said (in effect), "That's okay, you don't have to pay it back." [It's not okay with me!] Source: Congressional Research Service, Lib. of Congress, www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/IB85066.pdf

TWO: "Unlike other countries, which receive aid in quarterly installments, aid to Israel since 1982 has been given in a lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year, leaving the U.S. government to borrow from future revenues. Israel even lends some of this money back through U.S. treasury bills and collects the additional interest." [How thoughtful of Israel to loan us our own money!] Source: an article by Dr. Stephen Zunes at www.wrmea.com/html/us_aid_to_israel.htm

THREE: According to an article in the Washington Post (July 16, 2004), the U.S. House was considering a $570 million cut in U.S. military aid to Egypt. It took words from Colin Powell and Condi Rice to help the lawmakers get their heads straight and reject this cut.

As for Egypt, maybe a little unsupressed revolution might help Mubarek get his head straight. As for Israel, some might say (or at least think), "Anyone who would deny Israel's right to U.S. taxpayers' dollars is denying Israel's right to exist." Puhlease...stop...now...I mean it. There are two very good reasons why Israel will do quite nicely without our transfusions of cash and weaponry.

ONE: They have an arsenal of at least 200 nuclear warheads, easily outbalancing any other powers in the Middle East. [I hope no one is going to claim it's an "alleged" arsenal. I'll take (former President) Jimmy Carter's word that Israel indeed has a nuclear arsenal, as given in his book Our Endangered Values.]

TWO: God is on Israel's side. Remember when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down?

Given these two powerful considerations, Israel isn't going anywhere. And it certainly won't get wiped off the map. Now...how about us keeping this money and putting it to good use right here. After all, it is our money. [Repeat after me: It's our money, it's our money...]

Steven Searle for President in 2008: The only candidate with a contract.

"You wouldn't sell your house without a contract; why give your vote away?" - www.BestPartyAvailable.org

bpa_cinc@yahoo.com