The Case for Ending Aid to Israel | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary

The Case for Ending Aid to Israel | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Money from America has conditions, most notably the requirement that Israel purchase U.S. weapons, which raises Israeli acquisition costs. Gazit estimated that America’s “gift” may cost around $600 million. That’s a fifth of the nominal “foreign aid.” That money, at least, is primarily a subsidy to U.S. arms makers.

Washington also links aid between Israel and Egypt. The latter typically receives two-thirds of whatever Israel collects. The transformation across the Nile could upend the arrangement, especially if Cairo abandons peace with Israel, but so far the relationship continues.

Jordan, too, receives bountiful American subsidies—about $700 million last year."

"Thus, the more money given by America to Egypt and Jordan, the more Israel must spend on its military."

"Not only does American assistance not provide Israel with an economic advantage, it requires Israel to expend additional amounts from its own internal security reserves."

The article gives details on how it also hurts their defense contractors.

"The guaranteed payment irrespective of Israel’s defense needs “leaves the system with no incentive to become more efficient,” warns Gazit. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert argued that Israel could cut its military outlays with no harm to its security but that American money reduces the pressure to do so."

"Perhaps even worse is how U.S. “assistance” further inflates Israel’s already bloated government."

Audit the Fed Clears House Panel | Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign CommitteeRon Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

Audit the Fed Clears House Panel | Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign CommitteeRon Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee: "Issa maintained it was ironic that Congress took an intense interest in the $2 billion and counting in losses suffered recently by JPMorgan Chase when it “pales in comparison” to the Fed’s multi-trillion dollar portfolio."

Why Obama Strikes out in Court | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: Commentary

Why Obama Strikes out in Court | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: Commentary: "This term alone, the high court has ruled unanimously against the government on religious liberty, criminal procedure and property rights. When the administration can't get even a single one of the liberal justices to agree with it in these unrelated areas of the law, that's a sign there's something wrong with its constitutional vision."

House rejects bid to slash rural airline subsidies | Fox News

House rejects bid to slash rural airline subsidies | Fox News: ""This is about the easiest choice the House could possibly make, to put an end to the so-called Essential Air Service that lavishly subsidizes some of the least essential air services in the country," McClintock said. "Rural life has both great advantages and disadvantages, and it is not the job of hardworking taxpayers who choose to live elsewhere to level out the differences.""

"the wide reach of the program contributes to the sweeping support it gets, both from Democrats but also from conservative Republicans who suspend their anti-big-government rhetoric when their districts are affected."