Paul has proposed his own plan to cut spending by $500 billion this year. Paul's plan would impose deep across-the-board spending cuts -- including a reduction of 83 percent from the Department of Education, 6 percent from the Department of Defense and the elimination all foreign aid. He considers it just a start.
"I go to a tea party and you know what they say to me? It's not enough. It's not enough. Where's the other trillion you need?" Paul said.
Paul defended his call to end to all foreign aid -- including the $3 billion the U.S. gives to Israel every year.
"I'm not singling out Israel. I support Israel. I want to be known as a friend of Israel," Paul said, "but not with money you don't have. We can't just borrow from our kids' future and give it to countries even if they are our friends."
Paul has come under fire from supporters of Israel, but said Israel has enough financial resources to fend for itself.
"I think they're an important ally, but I also think that their per capita income is greater than probably three-fourths of the rest of the world," Paul said. "Should we be giving free money or welfare to a wealthy nation? I don't think so."
And military resources, as well.
"I think they're probably 10 years ahead of any neighboring country," he said. "I think that their defense is very significant and probably well in advance of any of their particular enemies."
Yeah, see, I'm wondering how long it's going to take before Israel decides they aren't too happy with Rand Paul and that he needs to get with the program. I put the over/under on that at March 15 or so. If Paul was a Democrat he'd be getting hammered, but even Israel's staunchest American allies aren't going to go after a Senate Republican without heavy bipartisan backup.
Still, I can't say I 100% disagree with him on the issue of military aid and defense spending cuts, and getting out of Afghanistan. It's the other, oh, 97%+ cuts or so I have a problem with. Like defunding the entire Department of Education outside of Pell Grants...and capping those.
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83 percent from the Dept. of Education and only 6 from Defense? I guess we can see what Rand Paul's priorities are. Though I doubt he's standing up for the civilian employees at Ft. Campbell; Rand Paul probably has a broader vision for America's defense establishment than simply jobs (and health care) for his constituents, which is about the only good thing you can say about what the military-industrial complex does for America these days. I wonder what his vision is and whether it involves the word "apocalypse."
Paul's quasi-rational stance on Israel makes him like his dad, as I understand them. On a certain issue--Iraq, with Paul the Elder--you can agree with them. It's the other 90 percent of what they say that makes them scary, and you don't want to encourage them, which is the problem.
Zandar Versus The Stupid helps in maintaining the Brave Enough To Make Them Suffer. I think they're probably 10 years ahead of any neighboring country," he said. "I think that their defense is very significant and probably well in advance of any of their particular enemies.
Uh... what?
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