The United States is, without a doubt, the most generous country in the world. We are generous in times of natural disaster, donating untold amounts of dollars to help rebuild the lives of those devastated by tsunamis, earthquakes, and other emergencies. Unfortunately, we have also become generous with countries that do not have our best interests at heart.
The United States is, without a doubt, the most generous country in the world. We are generous in times of natural disaster, donating untold amounts of dollars to help rebuild the lives of those devastated by tsunamis, earthquakes, and other emergencies. We are generous in the defense of freedom, offering military aid to oppressed peoples longing for democracy.
Unfortunately, we have also become generous with countries that do not have our best interests at heart.
For instance, let’s consider the United Nations voting records of various Arabic and Islamic states. Back in the early part of the ‘90s, American servicemen and women put their lives on the line to liberate Kuwait. Our reward? Kuwait votes against the U.S. in the U.N. 67 percent of the time. That’s the type of return we receive for our military investment in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, poised to take over our ports, voted against us 70 percent of the time. Given that fact, can the UAE really be considered a friend of the U.S.?
And the indignities do not end there. Qatar voted against us 67 percent of the time; Morocco, 70 percent; Jordan, 71 percent; Tunisia, 71 percent; Saudi Arabia, 73 percent; Yemen, 74 percent; Algeria, 74 percent; Oman, 74 percent; Sudan, 75 percent; Pakistan, 75 percent; Libya, 76 percent; Egypt, 79 percent; India, 81 percent; Syria, 84 percent; Mauritania, 87 percent. In other words, we have a solid voting bloc against us in the Arab world.
However, the insanity does not end there. The U.S. routinely bestows billions of dollars in foreign aid to nations that, by all accounts, hate us. Nearly eight out of ten times, Egypt votes against us, yet it still receives $2 billion each year in U.S. aid. Jordan voted against us seven out of ten times and still receives $192,814,000 each year from us. We award millions more to Pakistan and India, even though they routinely side against us.
For years, a number of conservatives have said that it’s time for us to get out of the UN. In reality, it’s long past time. In theory, an organization designed to promote peace among nations might be a good idea—but, in practice, it’s been a disaster for the U.S. It seems that reason does not rule the UN. Instead, it appears that, all too often, it is run by a mob rule mentality that is decidedly anti-American. In the end, it wasn’t the UN that captured Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and brought him to justice. It was the much-maligned USA.
We should also seriously re-think our foreign aid packages. Why not save the money we’ve been spending on our enemies and give it back to the American taxpayer? Wouldn’t that be best for not only the taxpayer, but also for our national security interests?
All too often, it seems as if we pursue an “America last” foreign policy. State department officials sometimes act as if they care more about what’s happening in other nations than how to protect our own. Even if Uncle Sam is reluctant to return foreign aid money to US taxpayers, why not at least invest that money in securing our own borders from terrorists and illegal aliens? It would seem that an “America first” foreign policy would demand that such action be taken.
As ordinary citizens, we have to deal with the harsh realities of life everyday. It’s time that our government officials deal with reality as well. Our involvement in the UN is not helping us—no matter how much we wish it would. We should get out—and get out now.
Nathan Tabor regularly appears on radio and is writing a book for Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nathan received his BA in psychology from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and his MA in public policy from Regent University.
In 2004, Nathan ran for Congress (NC5) in an eight-way primary. He raised over $850,000 and received over 7,500 votes in the most expensive primary in American history. Nathan's supporters included Dick Armey, Ed Meese, Steve Moore, Art Laffer, Pat Robertson, Bob Jones III, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Congressman Trent Franks, Congressman Jim Ryun, Beverly and Tim LaHaye, Mike Farris and many others. Dr. Jerry Falwell dubbed him the "young Jesse Helms."
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