GAZA

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

It is extremely misleading to say Israel has accomplished *anything at all* on their own. An average of $3 billion per year in aid to them since 1985, most of which is military and technology. Almost $80 billion over the course of 27 years. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf

Also, to say Obama isn't as supportive is like saying it hasn't rained as much in the rainforest this year. As I posted earlier, Obama just announced we're 'gifting' another $70million to Israel for their missile defense shield.

In the face of $16 trillion in debt and a trillion dollar deficit, I am completely intolerant of the billions of dollars we are shipping out of this country for completely lost causes - that includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, Africa and Israel.

"It is extremely misleading to say Israel has accomplished *anything at all* on their own."

I don't limit my consideration to economic aid, although one cannot ignore it, either.

"Almost $80 billion over the course of 27 years"

It's a lot of money in terms of absolute dollars. As a percentage of our budget, it's not even a rounding error. And many, many Americans feel that Israel deserves that aid. Maybe you should read about what happened to the Jews in WWII? They fought like hell to get their country, and they fight like hell every day, to keep it. Compare that to what goes in in any urban city in CT or MA, where the residents feel no sense of obligation or ownership. None.

"to say Obama isn't as supportive is like saying it hasn't rained as much in the rainforest this year. "

If you only look at money, you have a point. If you look at standing by an ally in public, I have a point. He said, in one of those moments when he didn't know the camera was on im, he lamented about Netanyahu "I have to deal with him every day", to another world leader, can't remember who it was.

"I am completely intolerant of the billions of dollars we are shipping out of this country"

One can make a compelling case about that...speaking for me, I'd rather give it to Israel than to Planned Parenthood or to ACORN.

"lost causes - that includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, Africa and Israel"

Bush saved more than one million lives in Africa, with his massive AIDS relief project called EPFAR (for which, in a fair world, they re-name the Nobel Peace Prize after him). Generations and generations of kids will be born, thanks to us. Not a lost cause in my book.

Johnny, we are so lucky to be born here. Someday, you might find yourself in a situation where you really need someone else's help. If that ever happens, I hope you find someone who's not as seemingly self-centered as you appear to be.

In my opinion, the strong have a responsibility to help the weak. Many people would passionately disagree with that.