Joe Doakes, formerly of Como Park, emails:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nI’ve been saying the American government should put Americans first and only after all of our problems are solved, consider taking care of people in other nations. After watching the Zelensky blow-up in the Oval Office, I’ve concluded I was wrong. The American government should take care of Americans. Period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The American government should never give war guarantees to other nations. That promotes “moral hazard” by making Europeans think they can act irresponsibly because America will step in to defend them. It’s the classic little brother picking a fight knowing big brother is right around the corner. Zelensky demanded war guarantees in the form of American troops to fight Russian troops on Ukrainian soil. Trump – to his credit – was smart enough not to give in. Hell, the only reason there was a White House ceremony at all, was so Trump could claim he wasn’t “giving” Ukraine aid for free, he was getting mineral rights in return, similar to our deals in the Middle East (we have troops stationed in Saudi Arabia to defend the royal family from enemies in Iran and uprising by their own people; in exchange, we get access to their oil, literally a blood-for-oil deal-with-the-devil made 100 years ago).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that the minerals deal has blown up, Trump has the perfect opportunity to walk away from defending Ukraine in specific and Europe in general. Withdraw from NATO, let Europe sort out its own problems, we have enough of our own. And not just Europe. About that Saudi deal – do we still need it? Are the terms still fair to us? I’d like DOGE to take a look at all similar arrangements, worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than military aid, the American government should never give financial aid to other nations. Money is “fungible,” meaning the funds the foreign government would have spent taking care of its own people can now be shifted to buying a new Rolls Royce for the dictator. That’s not fair to Americans. Other nations’ own governments should take care of them. If their governments are unable to take care of their people, that’s what charity is for. Americans are the most generous, most giving people in the world, but we want to know that our charity is doing good, not simply lining pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting government out of the war guarantee and charity businesses would not only save a ton of money, it is the first step in restoring constitutional government. Zelensky handed Trump the perfect opportunity and Elon Musk’s team is the perfect tool. Now is our chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joe Doakes<\/p>\n
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I see value to alliances…<\/p>\n
…that act with integrity, themselves, and are first and foremost in America’s best interests.<\/p>\n
I think a NATO that acts with integrity – like, maintaining its capability to defend itself – is in America’s interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NATO we have today?\u00a0 Not so much.<\/p>\n