Yesterday, I posted a commentary complimentary of the Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan funding bill passed by congress with bi-partisan support. The premise I presented was that $61 billion sent to Ukraine was money well spent if it meant Ukraine could continue to defend its borders against Russia without the help of American soldiers.
I received spirited push back from those concerned about the non-existent defense of America's borders, America's ever-expanding debt and deficits, and the fact that over a hundred billion American taxpayer's dollars have already been sent to Ukraine, much of it having been spent without any accountability. I thank everyone who registered a comment... your concerns were well considered and right on point, although...
I still believe the money sent to Ukraine, if it ensures no American soldiers will be put in harm's way, is a bargain. With that said, there are valid reasons to be concerned, and to dissent. For instance...
Yesterday, CBS News, no enemy of liberal policies and Joe Biden, aired an in-depth report on Ukraine, specifically, the very odd and counter-intuitive fact that in multiple Ukrainian cities, all of which, we've been told, are under constant threat of annihilation, there are more bars and restaurants than ever... far more than in pre-invasion days, and they're all packed to the rafters with drinkers and diners partying all night long.
Perhaps it's an "eat. drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" thing, but we've also been told that Ukraine's economy is in ruins, and yet, as CBS News documented in its report, people, especially young, military age men and women, are flush with cash to spend on vodka and borscht.
Could any of that result from a lack of accountability for the billions already sent to Ukraine? Will even more bars and restaurants be opening after the next tranche of taxpayer's dollars lands in Kyiv? How about theme parks... perhaps a Black Sea version of Coney Island?
Meanwhile, back in America, the people who take him places escorted Joe Biden to Tampa, Florida yesterday where he praised the $61 billion heading to Ukraine. He proudly proclaimed the government will be spending billions on munitions made in America and explained how that would benefit American workers and the economy.
Joe Biden has never been known for his brilliant wit; even before he became besotted with dementia, he was dumb as dirt, so his ignorant economic explanations are excusable. Using taxpayer money to build munitions sent to another country and claiming the salaries paid will help the economy is like taking a dollar out of one pocket, giving it away, then placing a nickel in a different pocket, and believing you just made a 5% profit!
Send the money, don't send the money... both options are beset with problems, but, as I posited yesterday, if it allows Ukraine to defend itself and spares a single US soldier's life, I still contend it's money well spent. The boost provided to Ukraine's nightlife, however...
Well, that would be okay, too... if the vodka and borscht were also made in America which, of course, it isn't.