[Peace-discuss] Anecdote from Minnesota

[Stuart Levy]

This is interesting.  Especially the bit below from Andy, the Ron Paul
supporter, who called for ending foreign aid until the
US gets its own house in order (i.e. indefinitely).

I'm glad to see him raise the Middle East as the
issue driving the bulk of our foreign aid.  And I would surely favor
cutting support for Israel, at least having aid depend on Israel's
behavior (say, obeying international law, and going by the terms of
existing UN Security Council resolutions, for a start).

But suggesting that the US simply abandon foreign aid altogether is a different
matter.  That sentiment might go in other directions too.  For example,
has Ron Paul himself expressed an opinion on US support for the United Nations,
one way or another?

On Thu, Feb 07, 2008 at 11:21:30AM -0600, Morton K. Brussel wrote:
> FYI: Mazin Qumsiyeh relays this anecdote:
>
> From Bill:
> At last night's Democratic Party precinct caucus in Northfield, Minnesota, 
> I was able to get two resolutions passed.
>
> The first one called for the United States to restore diplomatic relations 
> and direct negotiations with the government of Iran.
>
> The other resolution said that, until Israel removes its military presence 
> from the West Bank, that the United States should end all financial aid to 
> Israel, except for humanitarian aid specifically intended for those who 
> have suffered due to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
> Bill McGrath, delegate for U.S. Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
> --
> From Andy:
> Great job, Bill.
>
> I attended the Republican caucus held last night at the Greenvale Town 
> Hall, with the intention of supporting a genuine peace candidate, Ron Paul.
>
> My resolution was short and sweet: that all foreign aid payments from the 
> US treasury should cease immediately, until our government gets its debt 
> and deficit spending under control.  This resolution was first met with 
> stunned silence-- most of the resolutions at this type of event are usually 
> routine:  pro-life stuff, support for the troops, etc.
>
> In the discussion that followed, I pointed out that the largest recipient 
> of our foreign aid dollars is Israel, a country with a high standard of 
> living (at least for those Israelis getting the money).  I argued that the 
> aid was more a function of who had lobbying power in Washington, and that 
> the aid going to such nations as Egypt and Pakistan is really at the behest 
> of Israel, to prop up unpopular regimes there that are to Israel's liking.
>
> My resolution failed, but only by a razor thin margin.  It was the old 
> guard who voted against it; I was pleased to see most of the newcomers and 
> younger folks voting in favor.  I think there is broad grass roots 
> opposition to foreign aid out there among both liberals and conservatives, 
> Democrats and Republicans.  I believe the root of the problems in the 
> Middle East is our government's support of the Zionist regime.  An 
> effective method of confronting this policy that is sure to gain 
> broad-based support among our fellow citizens is to question the whole idea 
> of foreign aid payments in general.
>
> -Andy Korkven
>
> P.S.   Ron Paul received only three votes out of 35 at our caucus's straw 
> poll.  Romney won by a couple votes, followed closely by McCain and 
> Huckabee.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a great deal of vocal 
> hostility to McCain's candidacy.  Several people, including myself, 
> declared publicly that if McCain receives the nomination, they would cross 
> the aisle and vote for Obama in the general election.
> -------------------------
> (Must read) Questions They Weren't Asked: The Great Clinton-Obama Debate By 
> RALPH NADER, CounterPunch, February 2/3, 2008
> http://www.counterpunch.org/nader02022008.html

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