White House: Inflation Data Unavailable. Budgets for Bombs, Still Fine.
While domestic economic transparency stalls, America's financial commitment to foreign conflicts remains robust. Just last year, Congress, with bipartisan support, approved billions in aid to Israel, totaling $3.3 billion annually in foreign military financing under a 2016 memorandum of understanding – funds that flow regardless of how many federal employees are furloughed. ({OpenSecrets.org}
shows record lobbying spending from groups like AIPAC to ensure these funds are prioritized.) It appears the nation can always manage to find money for advanced weaponry and ceaseless conflict, yet tracking the grocery bill for its own citizens becomes an insurmountable bureaucratic hurdle if a few non-essential employees are sent home. One might wonder which 'essential services' truly matter to
Washington.