Francisco Canseco: “The East-West Center was established in 1960, according to its Web site, ``to foster better relations and understanding…”

“The East-West Center was established in 1960, according to its Web site, ``to foster better relations and understanding among the peoples of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific Islands through programs of cooperative study, training, and research.'' Last year, the Federal Government appropriated $23 million to the East-West Center. On top of the Federal funds it received, the East-West Center raises money from private sources. I'm not here to debate the merits of the East-West Center. I'm not here to question whether or not the money has been used to do good things. What I'm here to do today is to debate and question why this program should be considered a priority and receive taxpayer funding when we're in a fiscal crisis. Make no mistake, we are in a fiscal crisis that threatens not only our economic security but our national security. However, you don't have to take my word for it. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said, ``I think the biggest threat we have to our national security is our debt.''”