2001 Ron Paul 44:1
Sometimes I think, though, that this
type of legislation is more feel-good
legislation, makes us feel better, but
does not do a whole lot to solve our
problems. I think it would be more important
to take this opportunity to
think about our policy of foreign interventionism.
2001 Ron Paul 44:2
We have been involved in Afghanistan
now for more than two decades,
and have spent over $1 billion. Last
year we spent $114 million in humanitarian
aid. This year it is already $124
million.
2001 Ron Paul 44:3
It is said that it is not sent to the
Taliban, but the gentleman from California
(Mr. ROHRABACHER), who is a bit
of an expert on Afghanistan, just revealed
to us earlier that indeed some of
this money and some of this aid was
designated to go to the Taliban-controlled
areas.
2001 Ron Paul 44:4
I think more important is that regardless
of the intention of where we
send the aid, the aid is beneficial to the
government in charge. The Taliban is
in charge. They can get control of aid,
of food and other commodities, and use
it as weapons, and they do.
2001 Ron Paul 44:5
The point that I would like to make
is after these many, many millions of
dollars and over $1 billion have been
spent, we have come to this. They are
in worse shape than ever. Yes, we can
condemn what they are doing, but we
should question whether or not our policy
in Afghanistan has really served us
well, or served the people well. It may
well be that when we send aid, that it
literally helps the Taliban, because
they do not have to then buy food.
They can take their money and use it
to enforce these rules and to be a more
authoritarian society, to buy weapons.
2001 Ron Paul 44:6
We do know that when we sent weapons
in the eighties, those weapons actually
ended up in the hands of the violent
Taliban, and they are still in their
hands to some degree. Yes, our policy
is well-intended. We would like to do
good and save all the suffering that is
happening in this country. But quite
frankly, it has not worked very well.
2001 Ron Paul 44:7
We should question this. I believe we
should assume some responsibility in
the sense that our aid does not always
do what it was supposed to do and actually
ends up helping the very people
that we detest. I think that is exactly
what has happened here. It has been
specifically pointed out that some of
this aid has gone into the area where
the Taliban has been helped and
strengthened.
2001 Ron Paul 44:8
All I am suggesting is, why not question
this a little bit? Why should we go
on decade after decade after decade expanding
aid and getting these kinds of
results that we all detest?
