Washington Affairs

7 July 2003


US Uses Military Aid for Leverage -- Quite Right
The United States has decided that there are 50 countries that are unworthy of the military aid sent to them, and therefore, the money won't be arriving this year. It seems that the countries in question won't sign so-called "Article 98" deals with the US to prevent Americans from being tried before the International Criminal Court. What is laughable are the administration's opponents who claim the money should be sent anyway. Click here to read more.

Democrats' Prescription Debate Shows Loss of Conviction
Ask a conservative American whether Senator Dianne Feinstein of California or Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is more liberal, and a long pause will follow while the decision is weighed. Yet when it comes to the pending prescription drug benefit in the latest Medicare bill in Congress, these two arch-liberals are on opposite sides of the wrong fence. No wonder the country has shifted to the right in the last 40 years. Click here for more.

Money Race Drowns out Issues
Last week, the nine Democratic presidential hopefuls had to report the results of their fund raising efforts for the second quarter. Howard Dean of Vermont raked in the most with $7.5 million, Senator John Kerrey of Massachusetts finished second with about $6 million, and Congressman Richard Gephardt of Missouri $4+ million was good enough to take the bronze. Meanwhile, President Bush streaked into New York after a couple of Florida events and raised more in the week than Mr. Dean has all year. Pity the campaign is about money not issues. Click here to read on.