Can anyone make an argument these days that our government does more good than harm? That it actually represents the aspirations of our people, rather than that of a transnational elite that is more interested in personal gain than the public good?
Exhibit A: Congressional leaders finally got around to green-lighting another coronavirus relief package, as part of a $2.3 trillion, 5,500-page pile of last-minute legislation that represents the largest bill ever passed by Congress. The orgy of spending passed hours before the government’s current spending authority was set to lapse. Rank and file members of Congress had only hours to review the final backroom deal before being required to vote on it. I’ve shouted for some time now that this inability of Congress to pass an annual budget before the start of the new fiscal year is simply intolerable, and should always result in them losing their seats. As with everything else, in 2020, this has been further compounded by the coronavirus. I’m not a fan of direct payments to citizens, and I believe this has set a horrible precedent. That said, the $1200 per person earlier this year, plus the $600 just approved, is nothing short of insulting, considering what ELSE was included in all the spending:
- $500 million of foreign aid for Israel (with a population of 8.9 million, that’s $56.17/Israeli)
- $453 million to the Ukraine (haven’t we been entangled enough with them already?)
- $700 million to Sudan (why?)
- $135 million for Burma (ditto…)
- $130 million for Nepal (ditto…)
- $25 million to Pakistan, including money for “gender programs” (I’m sure THAT will make them love us…)
- Approval of two new Smithsonian museums (wonder when it’ll be “safe” to visit them?)
- $14 billion for municipal mass-transit systems, airports and AMTRAK (aren’t we supposed to be at home?)
This is but a small sample, but it makes the point:
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