A Foreign Aid Bravo!

If I am willing to criticize then I must be willing to compliment when it is appropriate.

I’ve dumped on congress for doing nothing but partisan bickering for the last few years. This week a Senate panel did something that needs to be applauded.

As you know we have had strained relations with Pakistan over the past several months. Pakistan closed an overland route for allied forces to get needed supplies to troops in Afghanistan. They were upset that American drones killed Pakistani civilians as well as Al Qaeda members and leaders

Pakistan claims to be a friend of the United States and a participant in the fight to keep Afghanistan free of a coercive Taliban and Al Qaeda influence.

Friends do not close supply routes. Friends do not provide a safe haven for now deceased Al Qaeda leader Bin Laden. Friends to not extort millions of tax payer dollars. Friends do not publically state they would support America’s enemy if it came to a war with Afghanistan.

A Senate panel, in approving a foreign aid budget for next year, cut appropriations to Pakistan by 1.2 billion dollars below current spending. I wish they had cut the entire aid package to Pakistan, but it’s a start.

Remember a few months ago when the new government of Egypt refused to let America aid workers leave the country unless a ransom was paid. It cost our government about 5-million dollars totally. The Senate Appropriations subcommittee also cut five million out of the economic assistance money we give to Egypt. Bravo!

Quid Pro Quo is a bitch.