Quite a cheeky ask to keep the coffers open and the billions flowing into Ukraine for a war against Russia that seems to have no end in sight.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (or Zelenskyy?), who addressed Congress yesterday, that doesn’t matter. This is America’s proxy war to fight and America needs to keep the checkbook open for billions of dollars in continued aid and weapons to the Ukrainian military. There’s no concern over where that money is flowing, it’s not like Ukraine has ever been a bastion of corruption or anything.
Zelensky repeated his continued call for ongoing support from the United States both in policy and financially:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a historic speech from the United States Capitol Wednesday night, expressing gratitude for American support in fighting Russian aggression since the war began – and asking for more.
“I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart,” Zelensky said during the joint meeting of Congress, later adding, “Against all odds, and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
But alongside Zelensky’s gratitude was a plea, emphasizing that his armed forces are outnumbered and outgunned by the Russian military even as they fight on. At one point, Zelensky drew laughs from the chamber when he said, “We have artillery, yes. Thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really.”
Both parties lapped up his words eagerly. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell even argued after the speech that supporting Ukraine’s war against Russia might be, perhaps, the number one issue on the minds of his voters. What?
Could there be anyone more out of step with the American people on this issue than Mitch McConnell? Other than Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and President Biden, of course.
McConnell: "Providing assistance for Ukrainians to defeat the Russians is the number one priority for the United States right now according to most Republicans. That's how we see the challenges confronting the country at the moment." pic.twitter.com/NPmzWRzoz1
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 20, 2022
According to “most Republicans” the number one priority is providing funding for Ukraine, claims McConnell. That’s odd since if you examine exit polls from the midterms, funding Ukraine didn’t make the list and pollsters didn’t even ask about it.
Nonetheless, according to the Senate’s top Republican, continued blank checks for Ukraine is what Americans want right now. Say nothing for the looming Biden recession and continued economic woes or other domestic issues. It’s Ukrainian funding or we’re headed for a revolt!
Rarely are both parties so aligned as when they get to spend taxpayer money on something that doesn’t directly benefit the taxpayers. Watch as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi eagerly accepts a Ukrainian flag after the speech and finishes the exchange with a kiss:
WATCH: Zelenskyy kisses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following address to Congress pic.twitter.com/ASTrt01IiS
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 22, 2022
Zelensky might as well have been kissing each and every one of them, McConnell included.
It’s for reasons like this, argues Christopher Tremoglie, at the Washington Examiner, that Republicans flocked to Donald Trump back in the early days of the 2016 campaign:
McConnell believes the country should keep sending endless billions of taxpayer money to Ukraine. He said as much earlier this week. It’s a puzzling statement, given his political experience, and not representative of the sentiment of most Republican voters.
“Providing assistance for Ukrainians to defeat the Russians is the No. 1 priority for the United States right now, according to most Republicans,” McConnell said. “That’s how we see the challenges confronting the country at the moment.”
But why is this the “No. 1 priority” for the U.S.? It truly is a shame what is happening in Ukraine, and many people are rightfully sympathetic. However, Ukraine’s security is not the most important issue facing the public.
Between rampant inflation, a homelessness crisis, a deteriorating education system, a college student loan crisis, a wealth gap, an enormous national debt, and a culture war, there is no justifiable reason Ukraine should be the “No. 1 priority.” Such a statement is indicative of why so many Republican voters favored Trump and the MAGA platform. They want their taxpayer dollars spent on citizens. What a radical concept!
And the purpose of this isn’t to defend Trump or MAGA. It’s to point out that Republican voters are tired of politicians who do not put America first. If politicians like McConnell are concerned with humanitarian crises to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on, he should start with everyone living in poverty in the U.S.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a tragedy and should not be happening. However, the U.S. has spent double what all of Europe combined has spent. Let it start contributing its own taxpayer money to defend Ukraine.
The United States has been the savior of the free world for over a century now and Europeans know we’ll do it again. Meanwhile, domestic issues rage as the beltway establishment turns a blind eye and nods along happily with Zelensky as he extends praise with one hand and a donation cup with the other.
As Tremoglie argues above, what’s happening in Ukraine is a travesty and America needs to be on the side of Ukraine. The spectacle, however, of making this out to be the most pressing issue facing the country right now seems far-fetched to say the least.
And yet there will still be politicians, even among Republicans, that will never understand why Donald Trump remains popular with an “America First” agenda.
It’s reasons like this where Nancy Pelosi kisses and hugs Zelensky, and accepts his flag, while she famously ripped up Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech in February of 2020 in the same chamber. That alone should tell you where her priorities lie.
