posted Feb 23, 2010, 8:08 PM by Robert Alexander
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Friend –
Sixty
years ago, the United Nations was founded upon the principles of
maintaining international peace and security, promoting basic human
rights, and protecting fundamental freedoms. But for nearly the entire
duration of its existence, certain UN agencies have routinely been
found to be corrupt, ineffective, and heavily influenced or operated by
those that do not share American values. Still, the United States
continues to give billions to the UN, providing 22% of the UN’s
operating budget each year, more than the combined contributions of
France, Germany, China, Canada and Russia.
Under
current rules and contribution levels, it is possible to assemble the
two-thirds majority needed for important United Nations budget votes
with a group of countries that, taken together, pay less than 1 percent
of the total United Nations regular budget. This disconnect between
contribution levels and management control creates significant perverse
incentives in terms of United Nations spending, transparency, and
accountability. In addition, the United Nations system suffers from
unacceptably high levels of waste, fraud, and abuse, which seriously
impair its ability to fulfill the lofty ideals of its founding.
As a result, I have joined with over 100 of my colleagues in cosponsoring a resolution, H.R. 557,
to condition U.S. aid to the United Nations on that organization taking
a number of steps including preventing its resources from supporting
Foreign Terrorist Organizations. That is, U.S. contributions to the UN
system would be withheld until sweeping, meaningful reform was
implemented. The bill expresses the outrage of many Americans that
taxpayer dollars continue to be misspent on corrupt international
agencies. With its passage, we would send a strong message of U.S.
dedication to our nation’s sovereignty, as well as our refusal to
support enemies of freedom or an organization plagued with continuing
financial abuse and corruption scandals.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on this legislation. Share your input by e-mailing me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in service,
Randy Forbes
Member of Congress
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