Groceries and gas seem to cost more by the day, our cities are awash in crime, and we're sending billions to Eastern Europe. Things here at home aren't all that great, which is likely why Americans across the political spectrum are tiring of the non-stop shoveling of taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-purchased weapons, equipment, and ammunition to Ukraine.
Support is falling among Americans of both major political parties for supplying Ukraine with weapons, a warning sign for Kyiv, which relies heavily on U.S. arms to fight against a Russian invasion, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The two-day poll, which closed on Wednesday, showed only 41% of respondents agreed with a statement that Washington "should provide weapons to Ukraine," compared to 35% who disagreed and the rest unsure.
Support for U.S. weapon shipments is down from May, when a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 46% of Americans backed sending arms, while 29% were opposed and the rest unsure.
The poll was taken as U.S. congressional leaders debate Democratic President Joe Biden's request for $24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, of which about $17 billion would be defense aid.
If $17 billion of this U.S. taxpayer money is defense aid -- by which they mean "aid in fighting Russia" -- then what's the other $7 billion for? Inquiring minds want to know! Well, here is a hint:
Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition that Ukraine has used to defend itself since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian forces have retaken a series of villages and settlements in the counteroffensive that began in June, but its soldiers have been hampered by vast Russian minefields and trenches.
It is belaboring the obvious to point out that the days when the United States can afford to be the world's sugar daddy are long gone. We're broke, and we can't afford to intervene everywhere anymore. Yes, Putin is a dangerous dictator, and yes, Russia was wrong to invade Ukraine, and yes, Ukraine is right to fight back. But the United States has been intervening in Europe for over a century now; it's high time Europe started fixing its own problems.
Also, one might ask, what compelling U.S. interest is involved in all this, that makes the whole thing with $44 billion and then some? At what point do we say "Hold, enough!"
In the early 19th century, there lived a British statesman named Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, who famously said "Nations have no permanent friends or allies, only permanent interests.” That's an excellent consideration; it was in the United States' interest to intervene in Europe in 1944 and 1945, but it's unclear what U.S. interests are involved in 2023 in helping one corrupt eastern European country fight off another corrupt eastern European country. NATO, after all, is not involved, unless, in the unlikely event Russia goes on to invade Poland or one of the other NATO powers. We have no treaty obligations to help Ukraine. And it's hardly the only conflict going on around the world right now. How do we pick and choose? Why should we pick and choose?
All of these considerations may be why support for turning the money spigot off is growing.
"The declining support is having a negative effect on congressional support, and eventually, prospects for additional aid packages," said Elizabeth Hoffman, director of congressional and government affairs at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
She said better messaging would help, including making it clear to Americans that much of the money allocated for Ukraine stays in the United States, including in jobs at U.S. weapons producers. Biden said on Wednesday he would make a major speech soon on why it is necessary to continue helping Ukraine.
Well. I'm sure a masterful speech from that wizard of the spoken word, President Joe Biden, will help grease the skids for another infusion of cash. Then, with that done, Ukrainian officials can go back to taking potshots at Elon Musk.
For a great look at the fighting rather than the financing, make sure to check in with streiff's excellent periodic updates on Putin's War; today we have the latest piece, on Week 84.