US Budget Crises? Not for War Chests, Apparently
When mainstream outlets like the FT report on US domestic spending woes, they often present them as inevitable economic realities, detached from policy choices. They conveniently gloss over the consistent, bipartisan approval for astronomical military aid packages that never seem to be impacted by budget crises. For instance, while Americans face 'sky-high' insurance premiums, Congress easily
greenlights billions in military assistance, such as the $14 billion in supplementary aid to Israel approved in April 2024 (HR 8034), despite the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. One might wonder if the 'government shutdown' only applies to services for actual US citizens. We're told to tighten belts, that every penny counts for healthcare and inflationary pressures. Yet, the same
politicians who bemoan domestic spending shortfalls have no trouble finding funds for foreign military excursions and hardware. It's a marvel how fiscal conservatism vanishes when it comes to supporting certain geopolitical interests. Perhaps if healthcare lobbying funds rivaled AIPAC's reported $19.9 million in 2022-2024 spending (OpenSecrets.org), Americans might see their 'sky-high' premiums
addressed with similar urgency.