Policy decisions harmful
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Editor,
It is for each of us individually to make up our minds about support for this or that legislation, this or that expenditure of money, this or that candidate for office, and this or that political philosophy for this country. But the spotlight on Egypt these days brings up a few facts that should be quite disturbing for all of us in looking at the direction our nation has taken over the years.
America has always spoken out for and been proud of our many freedoms, being a nation ruled by the will of the people, working for peace in the world and giving money where money is needed most.
Read the following and see what you think about how our rhetoric fits with our actions in much of our foreign policy actions.
Egypt is right behind Israel in the amount of aid we dole out each year. We give Egypt almost $2 billion each year, overwhelmingly for the military. Where has that money gone? Mostly to U.S. corporations. It is a form of corporate welfare to companies like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. The money goes to Egypt, then comes right back for F-16 aircraft, for M-1 tanks and aircraft engines, and missiles and guns of all kinds.
President Mubarak's regime in Egypt has been corrupt for years. Torture is commonplace. Over the years we have shored up other depots abroad. What are our true aims? What do we stand for? These are serious and legitimate questions.
This is not an indictment on our military and the wise use of military power when needed to confront and put down other dangerous military forces. This is an indictment on the direction America's leadership has taken in promoting and advancing our military establishment to the levels and uses so evident today all over the globe.
To me, it seems clear that the United States of America has to decide whether to stand and act for the democratic principles we espouse, or continue perpetuating the anger, the chaos and the harm our policy decisions heap upon the masses who are held hostage to dictators, despots, and terrorist-minded regimes.
Bob McClellan
Polson
