RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Quite a few leading Republican politicians oppose the mainstream in Congress that calls for sending tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons to Ukraine.
Those in favor are facing sharp headwinds from their voter base. The war is visibly exciting only the “elites.”
Read also: Check out our coverage on curated alternative narratives
Just the other day, in an address to Congress, Republican Senator Rand Paul sharply criticized the massive arms shipments to Ukraine.
“I took my oath of office on the U.S. Constitution, not for some foreign nation,” said the conservative politician from Kentucky. He said he is concerned with the national security of the United States.
Senator @RandPaul Objects To Passage Of $40 Billion Foreign Aid Package To Ukraine Until Financial Oversight Is Included
"My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation."
Schumer Refuses To Modify, Paul Objects pic.twitter.com/HnxUxPCFge
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) May 12, 2022
“We can’t save Ukraine by letting the U.S. economy go under,” Paul said. And while U.S. citizens were suffering from high inflation, Congress would throw billions more out the window.
Senator Bill Hagerty also opposes the mega arms and aid package to Ukraine. “We have pressing problems right here at home that we’re not addressing,” the Tennessee Republican said.
Especially among many conservatives (and noninterventionists), the so-called aid package to Ukraine is highly controversial. They see it as a waste of US$40 billion in taxpayer money.
.@SenatorHagerty Joins @IngrahamAngle To Announce That He Will Vote NO On The America Last $40 Billion Foreign Aid Package To Ukraine
Senator Hagerty: "We have pressing problems right here at home that we're not addressing." pic.twitter.com/7sZ0RSyzDi
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) May 13, 2022
After all, about US$120 per inhabitant. While 57 Republicans voted against it on May 11, a full 149 were in favor. This ensured that resentment among the U.S. population continues to grow.
Conservative voters accuse Republican supporters of this enormous package (which only benefits the U.S. defense industry anyway) of hating the United States.
149 Republicans voted to send ANOTHER $40 Billion AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS in a Foreign Aid Package For Ukraine.
In other words, 149 Republicans JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY’RE DEMOCRATS.🤷🏾♀️
— Lavern Spicer 🇺🇸 (@lavern_spicer) May 11, 2022
Given that the midterm elections are coming up on Nov. 8, 2022, and more than a few congressmen and senators want to be reelected, their voting record now could do lasting damage.
Especially in the primaries, candidates who oppose such misappropriation of U.S. taxpayer funds could thus prevail.
Hey @DanCrenshawTX why did you vote yay on the $40 billion foreign aid package to Ukraine? Do you hate America that much?
— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) May 11, 2022
NEW SHOCK POLL
A new shock (not really a shock) poll has shown that more Americans are OK with Ukraine losing the current conflict (43%) than those who are not (41%) – with more wanting Joe Biden removed from power (53%) than Vladimir Putin (44%).
53% of respondents in the Democracy Institute/Express poll believed the sanctions intended to hit Russia are actually harming the US more, and 63% now think Biden won’t be reelected in 2024.
Russia is only seen as the 4th biggest threat to the US behind China (42%), Iran (20%), and North Korea (18%).
WHO PAYS THE BILL?
Ultimately, however, if such arms deliveries do occur, the EU is likely to pay for them anyway – namely the taxpayers.
Presumably, however, it is not even popular in the U.S. to disclose this aspect of the deal, preferring to let citizens believe that these are noble gifts.