Letters from our readers
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Senate Budget Committee recently passed its blueprint for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget that nearly mirrored President Barack Obama's proposed budget. The difference was slashing $4 billion from foreign aid.
Foreign aid is an easy target for cuts, especially these days. But foreign aid is a cost-effective investment in a more prosperous and peaceful world.
Microfinance; treating AIDS, TB and malaria; enabling children to have basic education — these are strategies that have proven track records. Kids who grow up with hope and with futures won't be the ones lobbing grenades at our troops.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are among the 31 senators who signed a letter urging the committee to fully fund foreign aid. Fifty high ranking military leaders and all eight living former secretaries of state have signed similar letters. I fully expect Rep. John Garamendi and our other Bay Area representatives to take similar stands in the House of Representatives.
I urge all of us to thank our leaders for their enlightened and forward-thinking positions. The Senate has the option of passing an amendment to restore the $4 billion. Let's encourage them to do so.
Sharon Solstice
Walnut Creek
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