U.S. Delays $800 Million in Pakistan Aid

U.S. Delays $800 Million in Pakistan Aid - Bloomberg

I don't care why, and I hope they drop from 'delay' to 'withhold completely.'

The U.S. is withholding about $800 million in military aid to Pakistan over actions by the nuclear- armed country since the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden, said White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley.

“They’ve taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we’re giving to the military, and we’re trying to work through that,” Daley said on ABC’s “This Week” program. “Until we get through these difficulties, we’ll hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give.”

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The only reason why I don't support withholding aid is that Pakistan is a nuclear power. We are their most influential ally and without us they could radicalize and be a threat to the entire region. In fact they already are, but it will just get worse if we abandon the situation entirely.

Do we really want to vengefully spit in their eye when they have the capability to inflict severe damage on India, or Afghanistan where we have been working so hard?

BDBoop said:

U.S. Delays $800 Million in Pakistan Aid - Bloomberg

I don't care why, and I hope they drop from 'delay' to 'withhold completely.'

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As an American taxpayer, i damn sure don't remember committing to send them any money. All I can think of is how far $800 Million would go right here at home.

We're broke, how about fixing the U.S. before helping all the other countries in the world.

Polotick said:

As an American taxpayer, i damn sure don't remember committing to send them any money. All I can think of is how far $800 Million would go right here at home.

We're broke, how about fixing the U.S. before helping all the other countries in the world.

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That was my sentiment at post #1. Our economy, she's broken. Debt talks are in the ****ter. Here, we can put almost a trillion back in the budget, yes? Or is that not how these things work.

BDBoop said:

That was my sentiment at post #1. Our economy, she's broken. Debt talks are in the ****ter. Here, we can put almost a trillion back in the budget, yes? Or is that not how these things work.

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I still say we need to spend this money to retrofit coal fired power plants to save us from energy short falls, save jobs, and local economies.

Let's put out money to work for us, where it will do some real good, for a change.

I can't really say if I support this until I know what exactly that $800 million was going to go toward. Was it economic aid or military aid?

If it's economic aid, Pakistan certainly needs it...and economic aid is a good way to increase our "soft power" while also providing legitimate assistance to people in need. However, in many countries economic aid is ineffective if the transaction costs are high and/or if corruption is rife. If it's military aid, the only help we should be providing Pakistan is assistance in securing their nuclear weapons. Unlike fighting the Taliban, protecting Pakistan's nukes *is* a compelling interest of the United States.

If the money is being spent on other military purposes, and/or if it's economic aid that's being siphoned off via corruption, then I support ending it.

BDBoop said:

U.S. Delays $800 Million in Pakistan Aid - Bloomberg

I don't care why, and I hope they drop from 'delay' to 'withhold completely.'

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And that's all I have to say about that.

Councilman said:

I still say we need to spend this money to retrofit coal fired power plants to save us from energy short falls, save jobs, and local economies.

Let's put out money to work for us, where it will do some real good, for a change.

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So you're for government spending? I thought this was one of the Obama administrations greatest faults?