Foreign Aid

In response to The Times editorial “Our Wrong-Way Foreign Aid” (Jan. 6):

Overall U.S. foreign aid has been declining for several years. On a per capita basis, aid to the Philippines is now less than $4 per person. Nevertheless, Congress preparing for a typical election year increases aid to Israel: per capita is now over $1,000 per Israeli citizen.

Our foreign aid program has nothing to do with foreign policy; it reflects influential domestic forces; powers that are able to contribute large sums to congressional incumbents that vote the right way.

The Philippines is fighting a war against insurgent communists; the Israelis battle Palestinian school children.

The results of our foreign aid suggest a complete failure by Congress and the U.S. government to achieve any meaningful goals or objectives beyond self-serving special interests.

TOM TOMEONI

Rancho Palos Verdes