Keocmb
Refugee
I came across an interesting Editorial in today's New York Times. Thought it might be of interest to you guys keeping tabs on Bono's rally for AIDS funding.
Over the past year or so, President Bush and many senators have visited Africa to witness first-hand the ravages of AIDS. They hold sick babies, pat the hands of dying women, visit community groups caring for orphans and clinics bereft of medicine. They make heartfelt statements that lives can and must be saved.
Then they come home and stuff the global AIDS budget. Mr. Bush made a worldwide splash by promising a $15 billion, five-year program. He endorsed an authorization of $3 billion for 2004, which was passed by both the House and the Senate. But the White House and the Congressional leadership then conspired to cut the actual money appropriated back to $2.1 billion.
The Senate can take a small step toward righting things today, as it considers an amendment by Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio. Its backers include conservatives like Rick Santorum and liberals like Patrick Leahy, but missing are many moderates who worry about the budget. The amendment would bring the financing for next year up to $2.4 billion. Washington could spend $2 billion on its own AIDS programs and give $400 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- half what the rest of the world combined will provide.
The Senate needs to pass the amendment and then persuade the White House and the House of Representatives to support the change. Many senators who voted for tax cuts for the wealthy are suddenly concerned about deficits. This amendment should appeal to the budget-conscious. As AIDS explodes worldwide causing hunger, chaos, and political collapse, it will be America's problem. Every dollar spent today to prevent the spread of the disease and keep parents alive for the children will save money tomorrow. The total the Senate could endorse today falls far short of the need, but it is the last chance to bring Washington closer to keeping its promise to the world in 2004.
Over the past year or so, President Bush and many senators have visited Africa to witness first-hand the ravages of AIDS. They hold sick babies, pat the hands of dying women, visit community groups caring for orphans and clinics bereft of medicine. They make heartfelt statements that lives can and must be saved.
Then they come home and stuff the global AIDS budget. Mr. Bush made a worldwide splash by promising a $15 billion, five-year program. He endorsed an authorization of $3 billion for 2004, which was passed by both the House and the Senate. But the White House and the Congressional leadership then conspired to cut the actual money appropriated back to $2.1 billion.
The Senate can take a small step toward righting things today, as it considers an amendment by Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio. Its backers include conservatives like Rick Santorum and liberals like Patrick Leahy, but missing are many moderates who worry about the budget. The amendment would bring the financing for next year up to $2.4 billion. Washington could spend $2 billion on its own AIDS programs and give $400 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- half what the rest of the world combined will provide.
The Senate needs to pass the amendment and then persuade the White House and the House of Representatives to support the change. Many senators who voted for tax cuts for the wealthy are suddenly concerned about deficits. This amendment should appeal to the budget-conscious. As AIDS explodes worldwide causing hunger, chaos, and political collapse, it will be America's problem. Every dollar spent today to prevent the spread of the disease and keep parents alive for the children will save money tomorrow. The total the Senate could endorse today falls far short of the need, but it is the last chance to bring Washington closer to keeping its promise to the world in 2004.
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