To say America is spending like a drunken sailor is to insult inebriated seafarers everywhere.
It’s actually impressive the number of ways our government finds to spend our money. And it’s not like the cash stays here to be at least wasted on American projects. Through foreign aid, grants, treaty organizations, international agencies, and other scams, billions upon billions of U.S. dollars are handed out to nations simply for existing.
We give away so much free money that foreign nations know our Treasury Department by a different name: Publishers Clearing House.
Why are we bundling up billions, taken from every American taxpayer, and sending them overseas? With rampant inflation and a staggering national debt, our leaders ought to be judicious with their spending, and we, the people, deserve an explanation for every dollar.
Recent world events have exacerbated this problem – just look at Ukraine. So far, we’ve sent at least $113 billion to help Ukraine fight Russia, but their president, Volodymyr Zelensky, like a certain Dickensian orphan, keeps asking for more.
And you know what? He gets more.
Is there any sort of budget or limit set on how much we’ll throw at the Ukraine-Russia war? I say the next time Zelensky asks us for more cash, we tell him to buy a scratch-off ticket.
In all seriousness, we must decide if Ukraine is the kind of country we want to be going all out to support. Back before the invasion, when most people couldn’t find Ukraine on a map, it was known as a majorly corrupt country – which explains Joe Biden’s love for it. Ukraine is not some America-esque bastion of republicanism standing in the face of eastern tyranny. They’re not so far separated from Soviet-era practices themselves. Just look at the Ghost of Kiev propaganda hoax.
Citing the war, Ukraine decided not to hold its scheduled 2024 presidential election, which at least saves the CIA from having to rig it. But you won’t believe this. In an earlier interview, Zelensky said they could hold the elections … if they got more money.
I hope we all see the irony in Ukraine canceling an election during a war they’re fighting – and we’re funding – to “defend democracy.” Honest Abe Lincoln found a way to hold a presidential election during the War of Northern Aggression – you’re telling me Zelensky can’t figure it out?
I’m not unsympathetic to Ukraine’s situation, but are they really a hill on which we ought to die? Are they worth expending our strategic resources? What if China invades Taiwan next week? Do we write them a check, too? Are we undermining our readiness by devoting so many of our resources to this quasi-war?
Cash, missiles, and machine guns don’t grow on trees – as much as I wish they did. We’re producing mass quantities of arms and ammunition for a foreign country while neglecting our own stockpiles.
“Si vis pacem, para bellum,” Roman writer Vegetius said. “If you want peace, prepare for war.”
I could be wrong, but it seems that America’s financial soundness, security, and combat readiness are being subordinated to a foreign interest. If that is the case, it is unacceptable. There are times when we can help our foreign allies, but no country’s interests should come before our own.
Nick Treglia is a student at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
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