Comments by "Tim Trewyn" (@timtrewyn453) on "General Ben Hodges (Ret.): The West Needs Strategic Clarity | Jake Broe Podcast (E023)" video.

  1. General Hodges and Jake, this was outstanding. Thank you. I wrote my Congressman, Brian Mast to voice my support for Ukraine. Here's what he wrote back: Dear Mr. Trewyn, Thank you for contacting me regarding foreign aid being sent to Ukraine. Your thoughts are important to me as I work to effectively represent you in Congress. As a 12-year Army veteran, I have seen firsthand the global challenges and threats we are facing in the 21st century. I have also seen how the United States’ retreat from a leadership role in the international community has set the world on a dangerous course that threatens our national security and the security of our allies. As the greatest force for human dignity in the world, the United States must stand up for oppressed people. However, there needs to be a serious debate about the United States’ involvement in Ukraine, and that conversation can’t take priority over helping Americans. I want to see a Ukrainian victory against Vladmir Putin, but my first obligation is to you - the taxpayers of Florida’s 21st District. I believe there needs to be a clear and transparent accounting of how we are spending the tax dollars and what we are getting for our money. As such, until the Biden administration provides a clear, strategic, and objective plan for our involvement in Ukraine I will not support sending hard-earned taxpayer dollars for their war efforts. That’s why, on Thursday, September 28, 2023, I voted against the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 5692). I don’t believe in throwing money at a problem. I believe in being thoughtful and spending where it counts. I will continue urging strong support from our allies and the development of a comprehensive national security strategy that is founded on the idea that the world is safest when America is strongest. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. If you’d like to receive updates about this issue and other news that’s important to our community, please sign up here. To follow along with my work on your behalf, please join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again. As always it is an honor to represent you in the United States Congress. Sincerely, Brian Mast Member of Congress I am tempted to write back and say that if we are "the greatest force for human dignity in the world", then we should be able to multi-task, especially with a federal work force of almost 3 million. There's also a line from the song "We Are The World": "There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives." My first reaction to his BUT was "I am not being shelled by Russian artillery! I am fine, with a good job and a good wife and a good kid and I think we should help Ukraine NOW!" Anyway, this is what some of the thinking is in Congress. Be proud of your efforts, gentlemen. Let us persist.
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