General Discussion

Journeyman

(15,490 posts)

8. So long as Israel has socialized medicine for all, I don't see why we give them gun money. . .

Tue Mar 17, 2015, 10:13 PM

Mar 2015

I'm not against socialized medicine; I'd like it for myself. But when the Israelis are able to afford universal medical care in part because we pick up such a hefty portion of their military budget, there's something seriously wrong with our priorities and theirs.

How can they proclaim themselves our friends and then use us so crassly?

Let them cut their social services (much as we have had forced on us here) in order to pay for this elusive "security" they claim they can only gain from the barrel of a gun. Once they prove their commitment to themselves, then we can talk about renewing their financial dependence on us.

But I suspect, if the money we presently send the Israelis was spent instead to underwrite "health care for all" here in the States, we wouldn't be too eager to give it back.

And in that, I'm sure we'd be just like the Israelis are today.

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If Netanyahu stays in power, should the U.S. continue to provide military aid to Israel? [View all] Ken Burch Mar 2015 OP

Cut 'em off period. Jester Messiah Mar 2015 #1

I would vote yes if I had any confidence it would stop yeoman6987 Mar 2015 #9

Yes..... Luke Zee Mar 2015 #34

We should cut ties with Israel should NEtanyahu remain. eom MohRokTah Mar 2015 #2

You're back! yallerdawg Mar 2015 #6

Actually, Israel is in recession and the poverty rates are soaring. Ken Burch Mar 2015 #12

i think e-cigdub Mar 2015 #3

Start docking them for every safeinOhio Mar 2015 #4

I would like to think we could cut them off. oldandhappy Mar 2015 #5

who is "they"? onenote Mar 2015 #53

I think the aid should be stopped Nite Owl Mar 2015 #7

So long as Israel has socialized medicine for all, I don't see why we give them gun money. . . Journeyman Mar 2015 #8

^^^That^^^ onecaliberal Mar 2015 #17

They are our friends in the same way Bettie Mar 2015 #59

Congress won't defund Israel, so it doesn't matter what anyone thinks. nt MADem Mar 2015 #10

Sheldon Adelson won. Protalker Mar 2015 #13

There are a lot of uncounted ballots, yet--the soldiers' votes. They have no absentee ballots-- MADem Mar 2015 #19

Not yet, this divorce will happen slowly over decades. geek tragedy Mar 2015 #22

Sad but true. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #42

cut it all off DustyJoe Mar 2015 #11

We should honor our existing commitments. bluedigger Mar 2015 #14

Agree. 840high Mar 2015 #20

Those commitments are a dead letter now that geek tragedy Mar 2015 #23

No - that's bibi's stated position leftynyc Mar 2015 #44

No, Bibi's party controls Congress so the aid will flow. geek tragedy Mar 2015 #55

NO blkmusclmachine Mar 2015 #15

Not only no, but hell no. onecaliberal Mar 2015 #16

Only if they pay for it. Chan790 Mar 2015 #18

When leaders become callous about killing women & children in hospitals, schools, & shelters think Mar 2015 #21

Absolutely not. Brigid Mar 2015 #24

stop all aid Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #25

We should never have supplied aid in the first place. ozone_man Mar 2015 #26

"let all Israeli citizens move here" joshcryer Mar 2015 #27

If it's a choice between that and militarily subsudizing a permanently right-wing, pro-war regime Ken Burch Mar 2015 #30

"let all Palestinians move to Jordan or Saudi Arabia" joshcryer Mar 2015 #35

I support a two-state solution, but the fact is, if Netanyahu stays in, its dead. Everything's over Ken Burch Mar 2015 #36

Palestinians have no power over RoR. joshcryer Mar 2015 #38

Look, ok, the Palestinians should be allowed out of the camps. Ken Burch Mar 2015 #43

The two state solution is the only way. joshcryer Mar 2015 #52

What is it exactly we give them in military aid? They have better tanks then we do. Rex Mar 2015 #28

How about roughly $3.2 billion annually chemenger Mar 2015 #63

But what does it go for is what I wonder? Rex Mar 2015 #64

In my opinion, there is no nation worthy of US support in the Middle East Algernon Moncrieff Mar 2015 #29

Will he use it to moondust Mar 2015 #31

I'm not comfortable using aid to influence foreign elections, so no. Marr Mar 2015 #32

Why does it matter if he won? Herzog was a strong supporter of Netanyahu's bombing of Gaza Chathamization Mar 2015 #33

Herzog wasn't my favorite either. Ken Burch Mar 2015 #37

No and the US and its allies should also support regime change and economic sanctions against anotojefiremnesuka Mar 2015 #39

No, especially since he doesn't support a two state solution. Skidmore Mar 2015 #40

This is nothing but leftynyc Mar 2015 #41

It's not mental masturbation. It's a legitimate question. Ken Burch Mar 2015 #45

I detest bibi leftynyc Mar 2015 #46

Herzog was only slightly better-Herzog as a person, though, wasn't the point. Ken Burch Mar 2015 #48

There are still very leftynyc Mar 2015 #50

Yes. And not only stopping $$ aid. mylye2222 Mar 2015 #47

Shouldn't, but will. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #49

I think they sucked off our teat long enough! B Calm Mar 2015 #51

If we stop aid to Israel, they'll just get it from someone else. Angleae Mar 2015 #54

No, but we will Marrah_G Mar 2015 #56

Do we have a choice? chemenger Mar 2015 #57

Shut it all down Bettie Mar 2015 #58

Only if we have an interest in it that helps us treestar Mar 2015 #60

we should have stopped providing aid long ago... magical thyme Mar 2015 #61

Aid should be contingent on moves toward two states not just Netenyahu leaving office. betterdemsonly Mar 2015 #62