
April 24, 2002, US House of Representatives. Congressman Ron Paul predicts the unintended consequences of the Welfare/Warfare State. Most of his predictions have already occurred six years later, is this man a prophet or just wise? (Transcript) Mr. Speaker, our government intervention in the economy and in the private affairs of citizens and the internal affairs of foreign countries leads to uncertainty and many unintended consequences. Here are some of the consequences about which we should be concerned. I predict US taxpayers will pay to rebuild Palestine, both the West Bank and the Gaza, as well as Afghanistan. US taxpayers paid to bomb these areas, so we will be expected to rebuild them. [ US Congress has approved a total of over $700 billion for military operations, base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans' health care for the three operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks. That figure is part of the entire military budget, which in 2007 alone was $699 billion. In 2007, the United States increased its military aid to Israel by over 25% to an average of $3 billion per year.] Peace, of sorts, will come to the Middle East, but will be short-lived. There will be big promises of more US money and weapons flowing to Israel and to Arab countries allied with the United States. US troops and others will be used to monitor the ``peace.'' In time, an oil boycott will be imposed, with oil prices soaring to historic highs. [$130/barrel <b>...</b>
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