That was the headline of this AP article today. Which made me think of my own headline: "Federalists: Keep Feds Out of Domestic Matters."
Of course, that's not entirely the whole story. See, President Bush is on a trip to Africa and he was speaking about his global AIDS program. The global AIDS program that has spent $18 billion so far and that the President is pushing for renewal to the tune of $30 billion over five years.
The quote that says it all?
"We don't want people guessing on the continent of Africa whether the generosity of the American people will continue," Bush said in Tanzania, the second stop of his African trip.
If only it were the generosity of "the American people" we were talking about, Mr. President. The generosity of the American people is unequalled in the world, and it never fails that when the people of America get the call that someone needs help, the American people step up, no strings attached.
Unfortunately, it's the generosity of the American Congress, such as it is, that we're discussing now. Remarkable that this point is utterly lost on the American Left (including their public relations firm, the mainstream media). No, the point of focus in this news item was that...
Some Democrats want to eliminate a provision in the bill that requires one-third of all prevention spending go to abstinence-until-marriage programs. Critics say that while they don't oppose abstinence programs, the inflexible requirement hampers the effort.
The real problem, you see, in the minds of Leftists, is not that we're nearly bankrupt from entitlement spending and that on top of that we're somehow giving away $6 billion a year in medical aid. It's that we have some pesky moral condition attached to it.
I should be so fortunate as to have the fruits of my labor taken from me and used for programs that are morally consistent with my worldview. No mention if first it can be afforded (after all, it feels good, don't question it) or second, if it is consistent with the role of the general government.
When... it hits the fan, and hit the fan it will, the result is going to be ugly. We're a debtor in denial right now; we'll have to face the music sometime and the longer we wait the worse it is going to be.
15 comments:
Mike,
I could not agree with you more, of course. Couple our out-of-control national debt and out-of-control national Congress with our out-of-control national immigration policies, and etc., and, well, a very ominous picture begins to take shape in one's mind.
-Terry
P.S. I hope to God I don't receive something to my inbox on this from the folks at CitizenLink or the AFA that totally misses the boat. I don't know if I can take it again.
Tell ya what, if I do (and I'm kind of expecting it from one or both of them if you couldn't tell) I'm going to send them to you and let you handle it, okay? ;-)
-Terry
Terry,
Yeah, just forward all that, um, stuff to me and I'll deal with it right properly.
Nationally, we're really like that person who is in total denial about how bad their problems are; and soon enough the thing is going to come screeching to a halt and there's going to be a mess to clean up. I suppose there's still a chance that a few people will come along and right the ship before it gets dashed upon the rocks, but I don't know that there's time.
-MT
The troubling result that you describe happens when two aspects of American society merge: first, the magician state that can supposedly wave a roll of dollar bills -- straight off the printing press -- at any problem, anywhere in the world, and make it go away; second, the Lawrence Kudlow Syndrome, or belief that a mighty fortress is our God of free trade, which can indefinitely insulate us from crazy levels of national and personal debt.
As to Africa, I believe that aid should only go to Africans who agree to permanent abstinence or sterilization. The endlessly rising population of the world's poorest region makes a joke of all ameliorative efforts. Call me a neo-Malthusian; I'll wear it.
"As to Africa, I believe that aid should only go to Africans who agree to permanent abstinence or sterilization."
Mr. Darby, could you please explain how this requirement would make it better to take money from me to give to someone in another country. Or am I just missing the point of something that you intended humorously- again.
Nice post Mike. I don't think we are "almost bankrupt" I think we're there.
On a different note, I received recorded messages from Obama and McCain today, but no Clinton. (Unless hers was one of the hang-up calls I got before I left the house today.)
I think Mr. Obama must believe the whole state thinks the same way as the people in Madison to judge by his commercial and recorded message. It will be interesting to see how that works for him.
Mr. Darby,
With your permission, I might use that Lawrence Kudlow line sometime.
Mom, what choices you have!
-MT
Call Me Mom,
I'd rather all foreign aid projects be handled by private organizations supported by voluntary contributions, working with private organizations in the country where aid is intended. Government aid agencies have a habit of spending money on politically and ideologically driven projects that mostly enrich corporate suppliers and foreign heads of state and their cronies.
Independent agencies, spending their own (that is, their donors') money, are more likely to insist on the aid going to sensible programs, not boondoggles. Government bureaucracies, on the other hand, don't care; it's taxpayers' money, although they may think of it as theirs, and the important thing is looking good, not accomplishment.
I just meant that if there is to be aid to Africa from whatever source, the most bang for the buck will come from programs to reduce population growth, which is at the root of so much misery in that most miserable of continents.
Mike,
You know I will vote for none of them. I'll be writing in a candidate. I'm thinking Mr. Tancredo.
Mr. Darby,
I agree that private organizations are far more effective at almost anything.
However, I always have to stop and take another look at anyone or anything that promotes death. Sterilization, abortion, birth control (surgical, chemical or drug induced - no matter at what stage of pregnancy) are all different means of reducing the number of people on the planet. (as are war, genocide, famine, plague and etc.) Whenever someone starts suggesting that control of the population is the path to happiness and prosperity, I am disturbed.
I realize that there are sensible arguments to suggest that this may be beneficial, but I keep in mind, as a Christian, that part of the work of the enemy is to get rid of us.
Good morning! I just clicked on you all from Conservablogs. Not that I really have the time to read everyone in my reader, but I'm adding you anyway! Looks like some great posting and dialog goes on here.
Welcome to the blog sunflower desert. Thanks for adding us to your list.
SD,
Welcome! I'm off to read your blog...
-MT
Oh Gosh Michael! That shouldn't take too long. :) I actually spend more time reading the blogs of friends than I do blogging.
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i am really happy for read you book ,, thanks ,,
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