In a differing opinion to last week’s editorial by Jean Matua, I would like to offer the following.
Unlike Russia, the current administration was legally elected by an overwhelming majority of the voting public, which included a change in power to both houses of congress. Current events should not come as a surprise as they are doing exactly what they promised. In fact, the only surprise is that they ARE doing what they promised. It is refreshing to know exactly who is running the country, a question many people had about the prior administration. Unelected billionaire advisors to elected officials are nothing new as evidenced by George Soros, and Michael Bloomberg’s influence on the previous administration, Congress, and even local officials.
Undoubtedly USAID has done good works in relieving the suffering of many; however, like most of today’s government institutions they have become bloated with bureaucrats, wasteful, even guilty of fraud to the American taxpayer. Some of their wasteful spending examples include:
[an inflammatory list of various activities promulgated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to be reasons to shut down USAID, but since proven not to be USAID-funded activities, so we will not repeat the inaccuracies here]
The list goes on. Imagine what these funds could do to aid with the recent destruction in North Carolina, California, and homelessness among veterans. I believe this is rapidly becoming an “either-or” issue. Our spiraling national debt has reached $36.22 trillion as of Feb. 6, saddling our citizens, children and grandchildren with a bill for well over $100,000 per person. This is our money, and it has to stop!
Our education system is in -tatters. The head of the teacher’s union (AFT), Randi Weingarten’s salary in 2020 was $543,562 while adding layer upon layer of bureaucracy, but not teachers or supplies. Are the taxes and teachers’ union dues getting results? Our students’ math and reading proficiency has dropped to a decades-low of around 33%.
Congress has appropriated $174.2 billion to Ukraine with no defined end in sight except who goes bankrupt first. While a noble cause, it appears there is no oversight as to how these funds are spent. The lion’s share is going to U.S. defense contractors who have no desire for this war to end and dry up their income.
The agencies we support need to be audited and “pork barrel” cut. A merit-based system as opposed to DEI for government employees is sorely needed as it has recently been reported that only 6% of them are showing up for work at their offices. Another great step would be term limits for Congress.
A quote often [and falsely] attributed to Thomas Jefferson states, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
If the electorate does not approve of the changes occurring because of the recent election, they will have the power to change it again in two years at the mid-term elections.
Cam Marklowitz South Haven, Minn.