Rand argues that instead of sending aid overseas to people and countries that don't appreciate it, redirect it to rebuild the damage caused by Harvey and Irma.

https://www.facebook.com/Senat...os/1661238150595648/

You can see it even if you don't have Facebook because it's a public post.

I like the reference, "Washing has Dinosaur syndrome...big hearts, small brains".

It sure beats "just tax the rich" (along with everyone else).

All foreign aid is many dollars but only about 1% of our annual spending, so while I agree with the sentiment (especially regarding hurricane affected areas) it won't make a dent in the debt.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
All foreign aid is many dollars but only about 1% of our annual spending, so while I agree with the sentiment (especially regarding hurricane affected areas) it won't make a dent in the debt.

Manipulating the discussion in their favor since foreign aid isn't the problem it's the other 99% of the spending.

I'm pleased to say I voted for that guy. He's one of my Senators, and I'm proud of him.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:
I like the reference, "Washing has Dinosaur syndrome...big hearts, small brains".

Using "Washington" as a whipping boy deflects attention from the idea that Congress, and "Washington," reflects rather accurately the people who vote for them.

Bitch about out of control spending and hideous debt levels all you want. Voters have accepted the idea that government must take care of all these problems, no matter what it costs. If a large number of Congressmen got really serious about spending and did something to get it under control, they would soon be replaced by those who were more in tune with the "will of the people."

All the theoretical discussions about debt ceilings, percentage of GDP, proportion of defense to nondefense spending, "guns and butter" fall by the wayside when the voters want their kids in college, an old folks home for the mother in law, health care that somebody pays for, a job, and mortgage payments that allow them 2 cars, the 72" flat screen, and paid utility bill, not necessarily in that order.

Killing it completely barely moves the needle. And to pretend we don't have overseas interests, and that this doesn't help with them is actively stupid.

if you REALLY want to bring down the budget deficit, you have to either cut or sufficiently fund the biggest programs, not the smallest. And the biggest include a lot of the sacred cows, like SS, Medicare, Medicaid, and the military. Don't pretend you care about the deficit without saying what you'll do about those.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
All foreign aid is many dollars but only about 1% of our annual spending, so while I agree with the sentiment (especially regarding hurricane affected areas) it won't make a dent in the debt.

Manipulating the discussion in their favor since foreign aid isn't the problem it's the other 99% of the spending.

Hold on 1 minute. Did anyone watch the ~10 minute video? Rand Paul is talking about the $15 Billion in aid to residents of Texas from hurricane Harvey.

You are OK with just adding another $15 Billion to the deficit?

A Billion here, a Billion there, pretty soon you will be talking about real money.

But Houston is one of the largest economies in the US at $503 Billion GDP as of 2015. There are something like 550K to 1M vehicles out of commission.

President Trump did not want to get in a fight over raising the budget at this time but the most important thing is to get the hurricane victims back on their feet as soon as possible. He gets things done his way. They can debate the budget ceiling for months or shut the Government down in December but Houston comes first.

Tomorrow, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice Presdient Pence, and Mrs. Karen Pence will travel to Florida as part of Hurricane Irma’s recovery and relief efforts. On Friday, the President and First Lady will give remarks to members of the military at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Next week, President Trump and Vice President Pence will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

How much in tax revenue will result from dropping that $15 billion on Houston?

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:
Hold on 1 minute. Did anyone watch the ~10 minute video? Rand Paul is talking about the $15 Billion in aid to residents of Texas from hurricane Harvey.

You are OK with just adding another $15 Billion to the deficit?

A Billion here, a Billion there, pretty soon you will be talking about real money.