Former U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley scribbled the words “Finish Them!” on Israeli artillery shells destined for Gaza, causing chaos on the internet about US support for Israel. The Republican congressman was in Israel when Israeli soldiers bombarded a camp in Rafah, killing at least 45 Palestinians, primarily children and women. This incident has drawn attention to the controversial use of U.S. taxpayer money in supporting military actions abroad, particularly those involving Israel and the ongoing conflict with Palestinians. Since these military support and actions are funded through taxpayer dollars, let’s examine the sources of U.S. Tax Revenue and its usage.
Sources of U.S. Tax Revenue
In the United States, a significant portion of hard-earned taxpayer money is collected through various federal and state taxes.
- Individuals and businesses pay federal income taxes
- Employees contribute payroll taxes to fund Social Security and Medicare
- Corporations are taxed on their earnings.Â
- Additional revenue comes from sales taxes on goods such as gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as estate.
Military Weaponry Over Domestic Needs
Unfortunately, instead of this money being dedicated towards essential domestic needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, a large amount of this revenue is allocated to military spending, including the development and distribution of weaponry. Defense receives a significant portion of federal discretionary spending, which is established by Congress each year. This includes not only sustaining and modernizing the U.S. military but also providing arms to other countries. This prioritization raises questions about the efficient use of taxpayer money, especially when funds could be better spent on pressing social issues.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects federal taxes, while respective authorities gather state and local taxes. Congress, influenced by various political and defense sectors, allocates a large portion of these funds to military and defense budgets. Consequently, federal agencies specify a significant amount of tax revenue into defense contracts and military aid to other nations. Meanwhile, state and local governments struggle to meet regional needs with the limited funds available, often resulting in underfunded public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
US Support for Israel
The United States has a long-standing and close relationship with Israel based on shared political, economic, and security interests. This alliance has resulted in significant military and diplomatic support from the United States to Israel over the years. However, this support has sparked criticism, particularly concerning Israel’s policies and actions towards Palestinians.
Critics of Israel’s actions in Palestine point to various actions and policies as evidence of oppression and violence, including the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, military operations in Gaza resulting in civilian casualties, and restrictions on the movement and access of Palestinians. These critics claim that such measures violate human rights and amount to genocide under international law. Despite these allegations, the U.S. funding of Israel’s attacks hasn’t stopped, and it even declined to classify its acts as genocide officially. The United States has also used its diplomatic power to protect Israel from criticism and possible punishment in international forums like the United Nations Security Council.
While the United States values its alliance with Israel and regards it as an essential partner in the Middle East, it is also under pressure to address human rights concerns while promoting regional peace and stability. The argument over the United States’ backing for Israel’s actions against Palestinians starts a broader discussion about America’s global role in promoting or ending any conflict.
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Taxpayer dollars are used in US support for Israel, reflecting bipartisan objectives influenced by political needs. Despite increased criticism of Israel’s conduct against Palestinians, both major political parties, Democrats and Republicans, provide significant military aid to Israel. This use of taxpayer funding reveals a more important trend in which political ambitions dominate concerns for social welfare and ethical principles.
