In a surprise midafternoon appearance at the White House, Bush announced he is asking lawmakers to approve the additional funds for global food aid and development programs. The money - to be directed primarily at needy African nations - is being included in a broader $70 billion Iraq war funding measure for 2009 that the White House sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday.
"In some of the world's poorest nations, rising prices can mean the difference between getting a daily meal and going without food," Bush said. "The American people are generous people and they're a compassionate people. We believe in the timeless truth 'to whom much is given, much is expected.'"
President Bush continues to believe we should provide handouts to anyone who has a problem. What he doesn't seem to understand is that the $770 million dollars will be siphoned off by the elite in those countries and very little of that money will reach the intended recipients. As long as we continue to fund these tyrants, they will continue to rake in the cash and the poor will still be poor.
As to that last comment - 'to whom much is given, much is expected.' - I'd like to know what he is referring to. If he means we have been given much and we are expected to give it away, that's not right. For the most part we have earned everything we have. If he means they should repay us for what we give them, I don't know if anyone ever has repaid us for the alms we have bestowed on them.
No comments:
Post a Comment