US House Blocks Money that Obama promised to Egypt
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
September 29, 2012 2:06pm CST
Congress has been having trouble with its approval rating. Most people see it as an ineffective body, not getting anything done. Most of us realize that there are many reasons why it takes Congress a long time to accomplish anything, but some of us are very angry with them and feel they aren't doing enough of what they were elected to do.
But I am not writing this discussion to whine about the things they hsven't done. Rather, I am bringing to your attention something quite wonderful that they have just done. They saved you some money.
They saved the taxpayers $450 million. That was money that Obama was going to send over to Egypt, to help the country that Obama himself couldn't call an ally, but didn't really know what they were to us. The US House has just blocked those funds, saying the movement of that money to Egypt requires more scrutiny.
See? Sometimes when Congress is obstructionist, it's actually a good thing.
Do you think the US should be sending money to the Egyptian government considering the protests at our Embassy there? When the government of Egypt has cracked down on democracy groups and has failed to move in the direction of a more democratic society, which is one of the criteria they were supposed to meet to get the money?
Do you support Obama trying to send this money to Egypt at this time and with no promises from the Egyptian government actually being kept?
5 people like this
9 responses
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Sep 12
and then there is THIS: http://patdollard.com/2012/09/investigation-finds-obama-financing-mosques-worldwide-with-u-s-taxpayer-dollars/
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
1 Oct 12
Debra, why am I not surprised this is logical to the left?
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Sep 12
Congress did the right thing. Egypt is now under the control of the Muslim Brotherhood who would use the money to get terrorists to attack western including American interests so that everyone would have to become Muslims or die. Since America is in financial straits right now, it cannot just give money willy nilly to buy favours form those countries that might turn against them. Besides the president is not the ruler of the American people, he is supposed to represent you.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Sep 12
Doesn't it kinda burn your butt to know that Obama has promised the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt $1.5 billion when the economy in the US is in the toilet and is stagnating while Obama does nothing that would actually spur economic growth? We have people hurting here in the US, we can't be sending money to countries when the PResident himself can't even call them an ally (it must be very bad, if Obama couldn't make himself say it).
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
30 Sep 12
I was just reading about this same issue. At the end of the article, I found this
[i]A senior State Department official said that the administration would consult with members of Congress in the days ahead “to make the case that this budget support is firmly in U.S. interests in seeing peace, stability and democracy in Egypt and the wider neighborhood.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/world/middleeast/white-house-move-to-give-egypt-450-million-in-aid-meets-resistance.html?_r=0[/i]
So I guess, peace in Egypt will only come with this aid money 
I really hope people aren't stupid enough to believe this.
Hey, here is a suggestion, how about instead f sending money we don't have to countries that are furthering the cause of wiping us out, we use that money for our tax paying citizens. Crazy idea eh?
I really hope people aren't stupid enough to believe this.
Hey, here is a suggestion, how about instead f sending money we don't have to countries that are furthering the cause of wiping us out, we use that money for our tax paying citizens. Crazy idea eh?
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Sep 12
We have enough money troubles at home. I think sending money to them, considering the protests at our embassy, is just rewarding bad behavior. Tell them to get their a act together, embrace full suffrage, free speech, equal rights for women and support for the existence of Israel and then we'll get back to them. They aren't going to be bribed into democracy. Either they want it, or they don't.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Sep 12
What is going on here is that our leadership in Congress have not a clue as to what Islam is or what their goals are. Very clearly, the Muslim Brotherhood has said their goal is complete world domination by sharia law.
And they have a plan to make that happen, in writing, in the possession of our CIA and FBI.
So many many lies and half truths about it all.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Sep 12
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/muslim-day-parade-in-nyc-features-calls-for-global-laws-against-insulting-islam-and-promotes-sharia-in-usa/
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
30 Sep 12
I don't know, Rollo. I've not had time to think about this. When they hear that they're not going to be getting the appropriation, what will they do? Increase bad mouthing us and putting our troops in further danger? If the approval requires more scrutiny, does that mean that congress may eventually approve it? What was the $450 mil to be used by Egypt for? You know, we need to think of the benefits of sending vs the consequences of not sending it. Maybe congress is postponing just to see what kind of a reaction they get from Egypt and also from their own American voters, you think. It's a lot to think about.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Sep 12
Well, let's see....
What will they do? Who cares?
Will Congress ever approve it? I hope not.
What would they use it for? The Egyptian government is broke. See my first answer.
The consequence of not sending it will fall on them, not us. One huge benefit of not sending it is that our government is broke too. Remember when Obama threatened not to issue SS checks if he didn't get his debt ceiling raised? The same guy who would threaten seniors in order to get his way and create more debt is sending money to a country where we are hated and they burn our flag? Sending them money is not going to make them love us. Remember, they hate our freedoms, and there's no middle ground on that score. We can't give those up.
1 person likes this
How 'bout the others?
@lawdude (237)
• United States
30 Sep 12
I'm not so sure. Egypt has been our most powerful ally in the Muslim world and Israel's closest ally in the region. The country is still largely controlled by the military. So despite the change of political leadership we have to tread carefully. I felt strongly against additional aid until I recently heard the arguments and reasoning of John McCain on the issue.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Sep 12
Egypt was our ally and an uncomfortable ally of Israel when Mubarek was in power. Now that he's been removed forcibly and The Muslim Brotherhood is in charge, Egypt will no longer be a buffer between other Middle East countries and Israel. They want the destruction of Israel just as much as the others do.
I don't think you can buy friends, although I think you can help allies move closer to democracy with aid and influence. In the case of Egypt, I don't believe that will happen or is possible. There's no point in throwing money at people, hoping they will start to like us.
It's time we stopped worrying so much about who likes us, and start worrying more about who is left that still respects us.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Sep 12
Morsi is or will be meeting with Ahmadjinedad sp?
and as you pointed out, Obama didn't know if they were an ally or not anymore.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
1 Oct 12
Obama trying to send this money to Egypt at this time and with no promises from the Egyptian government being kept to boot, makes me suspicious! Why should he want to send money to the Muslim Brotherhood when they are doing things the said they would not do!? Other than that I think the whole idea is insane!! Hooray for Congress! I wonder if it was bipartisan or not..
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
29 Sep 12
Finally, Congress does something that the majority of people want them to do--what they are supposed to do, what we elected them to do. They're finally representing the will of the people. Now, I hope they continue to do so!
I saw an argument the other day about those funds. Someone was saying that only the poor people will suffer since there is so much poverty there but I didn't see any of our money going to those people, anyway. The argument was moot as far as I was concerned.
I hope this is the beginning of a movement to stop placating our enemies and start working with our allies. I won't hold my breath but this is a very good start. 
1 person likes this
@millertime (1394)
• United States
4 Oct 12
About time they did something right. Don't expect it on a regular basis though. 
In my opinion, they ought to stop all money going to the middle east and a lot of other countries for that matter. We shouldn't be giving money to other countries when we can't even afford to pay for our own government programs. I think a lot of our "foreign aid" is simply trying to buy influence or favor, which will never work. We need to stop it. It will be tough for politicians to do, but it's what needs to be done.
In my opinion, they ought to stop all money going to the middle east and a lot of other countries for that matter. We shouldn't be giving money to other countries when we can't even afford to pay for our own government programs. I think a lot of our "foreign aid" is simply trying to buy influence or favor, which will never work. We need to stop it. It will be tough for politicians to do, but it's what needs to be done.