Government Aid
Matt Seinberg

As I step up on my soapbox, I note how President Obama announced, this week, that he would like the government to pay the college tuition for any student entering a community college. The student would have to maintain a 2.5 grade point average, which is equal to a letter grade of "B." If you study hard enough and do all the required work, anyone should easily get that grade.

How will we pay for this great idea?

Here's the kicker: how will a Democratic President get this passed by a Republican majority Congress? With great difficulty, I say. The other big question, how is how and who will pay for this great idea? People don't want to have their taxes raised or pay anymore for common services.

My solution is simple. My friend Charlie agrees with me; yes, that Charlie, of green pickle fame.

I have a simple solution.

The US government ships millions, if not billions, of dollars to other countries in various forms of "foreign aid." Sure, it's okay to send money to our allies. What, I ask, is the point in sending aid to those countries that don't appreciate it, that hate the USA as a country and all the people in it?

Why can't we pull out of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan and stop spending billions of dollars in those countries that don't appreciate it. They want us out, anyway, until ISIS comes to town. Why does the United States have to be the police of the world and help those that don't want to help themselves?

Are the politicians so afraid of shift in world power if we stop providing aid to any country that asks? Will Russia or China step in to do what we won't? Those countries have their own issues and problems, so why would they want to give aid to any country that asks?

The USA is the greatest nation in the world. Yes, it's true. It’s also the biggest patsy. If you live outside of the US, put out your hand and money comes flowing out like water from a faucet.

Here's the problem. We have enough problems and needs right here at home that can easily be fixed by turning off that faucet and keeping that money at home. That's how the President can pay the tuition for all those community college students, end childhood hunger, create new jobs for those in need, repair our old and failing infrastructure and improve the economy.

The armed forces would probably yell bloody murder. How else can they keep up a full-fledged fighting force if there is no one to fight? All the contractors that sell them everything that goes along with a war or conflicts will have to figure out other ways to make money. Let them retool their factories and build things that people actually need.

Products stamped "Made in the USA."

Here’s an idea. Let's start producing more products proudly stamped, "Made in the USA!" Let's take back our economy from the Far East and reduce our international debt at the same time. Remember, we made most of our electronics before giving that industry to Japan.

One of the biggest names in televisions years ago was Zenith, which invented the remote control, FM Stereo Multiplex broadcasting and the MTS analog stereo system for TV broadcasting. By 1990, Zenith was in trouble and sold itself to LG Electronics of South Korea. Today, the Zenith name is all but gone, with select retailers having Zenith branded TV's on their shelves.

Our economy would recover so fast from this infusion of domestic money that it would make your head spin. Manufacturing at home is how this country got to be so great, and it's time to take the lead back again, not by waging wars that we have no reason to be in, but by investing in our own country and people.

Thank you and may the force be with you. I think I will stay on my soapbox, as the view is much clearer, less polluted.