GOP members of Congress cut back funding to the UN today-once again because the UN hasn’t made any reforms (that are badly needed).

NEW YORK — Republicans in Congress moved yesterday to cut U.S. contributions to the United Nations budget just one day before the world body is scheduled to lift a budget cap imposed by the United States and other donors and to resume spending as usual.

Spending as usual? They mean wasting money as usual.

At least $17 million has been sliced this week from the Bush administration’s appropriations request for the U.N. regular budget, as frustration with the United Nations continues to fester among conservative lawmakers.

Rep. Scott Garrett, New Jersey Republican, yesterday won approval in a House subcommittee to cut $2 million from the U.S. contribution to the U.N. budget, saying that taxpayer money should not be used to lobby the U.S. government.

He was referring to a recent speech by Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, who told two left-leaning think tanks, the Center for American Progress and the Century Foundation, that Washington should do more to defend the international organization in public.

American government doesn’t need to defend the UN; the lack of any plausible activity from this dinosaur organization is proof enough of it’s failures. And Mr. Brown bit the hand that feeds him. He pissed me off, I know that. I’m sure he upset a lot of Americans.

Another $15 million was diverted from the $1.28 billion request for contributions to international organizations to fund domestic law-enforcement programs. Rep. Michael McCaul, Texas Republican, successfully demanded that the United States should not pay anything toward the new Human Rights Council as long as countries on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism such as Cuba serve on the 47-member body.

No shit huh? CUBA??? Yes, Cuba. And Syria. And many other nations that love terrorists.

Meanwhile, Rep. Henry J. Hyde, Illinois Republican, will soon introduce a bill urging the United States “to use its voice, vote and influence at the United Nations” to seek a system of proportional voting in the 192-member General Assembly.
Under such a system, the United States — which provides 22 percent of the U.N. budget — would cast 22 percent of the total votes on finance-related issues. If the world body does not agree to this and passes a budget without U.S. consent, the United States could hold back 25 percent of its dues.

This is so much money- it makes my head spin just thinking about it. A lot more than any other member nation, dollar wise. I keep hearing how other countries give more of a percentage than the US…WHO CARES when it comes down the nitty gritty actual amounts??? It’s TOO much.

The White House has requested $423 million for the U.N. regular budget in fiscal 2007. The request needs to be appropriated by Congress.

The Bush administration has also requested $500 million for U.N.-related agencies and programs, such as UNICEF, and $1.13 billion for 18 peacekeeping missions.

Whoa. There yah go.

Oh wait. There’s more.

In addition to the 22 percent the United States pays for regular budget, it contributed close to 27 percent of peacekeeping.

Freakin incredible. We could use that money for better things right here in America. I’m surprised the Democraps approve of this wasteful spending: This is a gold mine for them- just think of all the social programs they could start up.

U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton has relished the budget battles, attending most meetings and delivering speeches to delegations and reporters that outline Washington’s position.

“We do not believe it is in the long-term interests of the United Nations, much less its member governments, to continue delaying reform that many of us know will make this institution stronger,” Mr. Bolton said on Wednesday. Only Japan and Australia joined the United States in “disassociating” themselves from the budget consensus.

The UN won’t change until it’s entire makeup is changed. The organization from the bottom up needs to be re-vamped; diplomats and such need to be fired and others need to JUST go, leave. We need strong leadership there and, effective policies and programs. Instead, what we have now is failure, after failure, after failure.