Out of all the op-eds the Seattle Post-Intelligencer could have published today, it chose this one:
What if we took a modest slice of the state budget -- say, one-quarter of 1 percent of state spending, about $50 million per year -- and spent that money on foreign assistance?Our state is facing a budget deficit that is projected into the billions over the next few years, so now is the time to start our own foreign aid program? Um, whatever. [Here is a picture of the guy who wrote the op-ed, by the way]
On further reflection, this might not be as bad of an idea as I originally thought. Nobody would even miss the money if we just redirected the funds that are earmarked for Evergreen State College.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 28, 2004 12:09 AM...and of course that little thing in the US Constitution about the states not doing foreign policy is just a little, um, technicality. Put there by the red state oppressors. Yeah.
Posted by: chap on July 28, 2004 04:41 AMPerhaps they could distribute state funds to undocumented workers in Yakima or Wenatchee and call that foreign assistance.
Posted by: Ray Zacek on July 28, 2004 09:58 AMI loved the inference that Washington State's bureaucracy would be more efficient and less politicized than the federal managing of foreign aid. Just imagine, DSHS in charge of administering AIDS programs in Mozambique. What gets me is that instead of trying to fix our own societal problems in the State of Washington (ie. transportation, education, DSHS) this guy wants us to send money in foreign aid. It raises to mind the rhetoric spewed in opposition to I-695--I recall being told that car tabs accounted for approximately 2% of the State's income, yet by passing I-695 we (taxpayers) would lose fire, police and emergency services because the State would no longer be able to afford these necessities if 2% of the income were reduced. How then, can we justify taking one quarter of one percent for foreign aid? Won't this eliminate our police? Foreign aid has its place--but that place isn't the Washington State Budget.
Posted by: Frank on July 28, 2004 01:30 PMAny money given to Evergreen should already be considered "foreign aid"
Posted by: Gary B on July 28, 2004 07:48 PMGreat idea on redirecting Evergreen money abroad. I'd rather it feed hungry children in the Third World than educate rich whiteys in how to properly genuflect to humanitarian ideals without actually doing anything.
Posted by: Greg on July 31, 2004 09:57 AM