Posted on by Californiacontrarian

Fifty Ways …I’ll Take Just One!

From the 1975 Paul Simon song,  “Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover,” there are actually only five ways mentioned. The song was written after Paul Simon’s divorce from his first wife Peggy.

In February of 1976, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and also topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

On March 11, 1976, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” was certified Gold by the RIAA.

I was reminded of this song and it’s lyrics when I read about a group of 19 Republican lawmakers calling on the Biden administration to stop spending billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.

In an April 20 letter (pdf) to President Joe Biden, the GOP Representatives and Senators shared their concerns that the trajectory of U.S. aid to Ukraine risks further escalating the war and lacks “much-needed strategic clarity.”

From the Simon song:

“The answer is easy if you take it logically

I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free”

From the Epoch Times:

Congress has approved over $113 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the war began over a year ago, becoming its largest benefactor.

The GOP lawmakers continued, “The contributions of our NATO allies pale in comparison. Beyond dollar value, there is also a stark difference in substance and motivation. As the U.S. is further indebting itself to provide tanks, air defense systems, missiles, and long-range rockets to a battlefield an ocean away, those with conflict at their borders have been content to send uniforms and personal protective equipment” the Republicans wrote. “Our allies condition their contributions of major military equipment on a corresponding U.S. commitment – all while calling for the U.S. to do more.”

The letter also took aim at Biden’s decision to send billions of dollars in foreign military aid while America’s own military “atrophies.” They accused the executive branch of using debt as a tool to finance foreign wars to the “detriment of the American taxpayer, noting that $27 billion of Washington’s aid to Kyiv is set aside for funding the Ukrainian government, repairing infrastructure, and granting food security.”

“To prop up a foreign government that is historically mired in corruption while the American people suffer from record inflation and a crippling national debt is wildly irresponsible on its own – but to do so while our military contends with aging weapons systems and depleted stockpiles is disgraceful,” the lawmakers wrote.

While Biden and his cronies continue to give uber amounts of money to Ukraine in the form of weapon systems, including  31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to name but a few, somebody needs to ask, “Is there a plan to somehow end our “unlimited” generosity and/or end this war?

Instead of fifty way to leave Ukraine, like in the song, I will settle for five actual ways to leave this war behind. 

Again from the Simon song:

“It’s really not my habit to intrude

Furthermore, I hope my meaning won’t be lost or misconstrued,”

… but enough is enough !

In this regard, I agree with these 19 GOP lawmakers.

4/27/23

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