Rand Paul: “as a physician I am particularly concerned about terrible diseases like AIDS. I have great sympathy for those--in…”

“as a physician I am particularly concerned about terrible diseases like AIDS. I have great sympathy for those--in increasing numbers--who suffer and die around the world. The question is not whether each and every one of us is concerned or would like to do something about this terrible problem. The question is whether yet another massive government foreign aid program will actually do anything at all to solve the problem. The United States has been sending billions and billions of dollars overseas for decades to do fine-sounding things like ``build democracy'' and ``fight drugs'' and ``end poverty.'' Yet decades later we are told that in every category these things have actually gotten worse rather than better. Our money has disappeared into bank accounts of dictators and salaries for extremely well-paid consultants and U.S. Government employees. Yet we refuse to learn from these mistakes; we are about to make another multi-billion dollar mistake with this bill. Though I have not been in favor of Federal Government funding of healthcare, if this money is going to be spent why shouldn't it be spent in this country, on American citizens? One legitimate function of government is to protect its citizens and taxpayers. Yet thousands of Americans who have contracted this terrible disease find themselves without any healthcare at all. Thousands of these Americans, as they become ill, are no longer able to work and therefore lose their insurance coverage.”