Readers sound off on foreign aid, violence in Israel and Gaza and animals in ceremony

Foreign aid distracts from big budget concerns

Staten Island: In the broader context of the U.S. federal budget, foreign aid often becomes a focal point of scrutiny, overshadowed by a misunderstanding about its relative scale and impact. The reality is that foreign aid constitutes a mere fraction of the federal budget, approximately 1%, yet its impact on global diplomacy, national security and humanitarian efforts is profound, as we are seeing in Ukraine.

Misconceptions regarding foreign aid as a substantial drain on our resources deflect from more pressing fiscal concerns that truly impact our nation’s budget and deficit. The gargantuan deficits are rooted deeply within our domestic spending and revenue collection mechanisms. Our massive trillion-dollar deficits can not be mitigated simply by redirecting the comparatively minuscule foreign aid budget.

Major entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, along with defense spending, collectively consume a large majority of the federal budget. While these programs are crucial in providing a safety net for citizens and ensuring national security, it’s imperative to acknowledge the unsustainable trajectory of such spending without adjustments to these programs or alterations to our revenue generation — namely through tax increases. With a rapidly aging population, the strain on Social Security and Medicare is predicted to expand substantially in the coming years, demanding a larger slice of the budgetary pie. Similarly, the prevailing magnitude of defense spending needs to be scrutinized through the lens of fiscal responsibility and geopolitical necessity.

Foreign aid is a mere scapegoat in the broader budgetary conversation, and pinning deficits on this small but impactful allocation misdirects dialogue away from the vital discussions we must have about our larger, more substantial fiscal challenges. Joseph Frusci

Historical through-line

Williamsville, N.Y.: The NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America held a public rally on Sunday in support of the Hamas attack on Israel. These putative socialists were demonstrating in favor of the murder, slaughter, kidnapping and desecration of the greatest number of Jewish people killed in a single day since Hitler’s Holocaust. Perhaps that’s not an accident. There’s a certain type of socialist who supported the genocide of the Jewish people back then — National Socialists. You know, Nazis. The same despicable kind of socialists sullied the streets of New York City with their hatred on Sunday. Daniel H. Trigoboff

It’s a man’s war

Barrie, Ontario: Much can be said about the level of atrocity and devilry unleashed upon women and girls since Russia attacked Ukraine and during Israel’s latest struggle with Palestinian terror cadres. The specter of toxic masculinity haunts the two conflict zones in such a lurid and demonic way that the world’s powers must find a way to address this cancer that we never escape. The war crimes committed against women and girls in both conflict zones proves the point. There are no easy solutions for addressing Russia. But Hamas’ ghoulish atrocities against civilians and foreigners begs a terrible response. The obscene cadre and its patrons remain a global danger. Christopher Mansour

Stand against suffering

Bronx: I am an American Jew. I can resolutely condemn Hamas, stand with Israel as she recovers, loudly oppose the inhumanity of Israel’s occupation, understand how Hamas filled a leadership vacuum in Gaza, acknowledge the dehumanizing effect of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, mourn for friends and family in Israel and mourn for the Palestinian people. I can do all this at once. So can you. Richie Nagan

This was provoked

Bronx: It is important to understand that there is a difference between Hamas and most non-violent Muslim or Christian Palestinians who, for many years, have been seeking freedom, justice and respect. I can’t help but feel that the recent violent surprise attack on Israel could be viewed as Palestinian payback for past Israeli injustices that Palestinians endure daily, and which are often understated or rarely even reported. F. Rogers

Plain evidence

Manhattan: Oh, poor Voicer Frank J. Perry! He listed millions of people — “Democrats, libs, socialists, George Soros, the Department of Justice, the FBI and the gutless lefty mainstream media” and a judge — imagining they are all in conspiracy with one another. Tens of millions of people are not in cahoots. It’s all about one criminal. Donald Trump has multiple indictments for crimes such as tax evasion, voter fraud, fake electors, fraudulent business practices, Trump University, a shuttered charity, porn star payoffs, sexual assault, stolen classified documents and trying to overthrow the government on Jan. 6. There’s also daily sociopathic lying, childish temper tantrums and narcissistic, vile insults aimed at half the nation every day. It has nothing to do with the election, Frank. It’s simply about crime. Sam Katz

Simple question

East Hampton, L.I.: It’s not Trump versus Biden, it’s do you love America or do you hate America? Margaret Dennis

Mental case

Bronx: Trump is so delusional that he thinks he won the 2020 election. His lawyers should plead insanity because Trump is insane. He lies to people because he’s too embarrassed to tell them the truth. Trump’s mind is gone with the wind. He is in need of a good psychiatrist. He belongs in Bellevue, not the White House. Doris Festante

Gross glare

Bronx: About that mugshot of orange pout-squint: He looks constipated. Also, that dead whale that washed up on shore weighed 215 pounds. Jim Kennelly

Lower-class

Kearny, N.J.: Yes, Donald Trump, we know you are rich but as I said before, money can’t buy class! Joseph F. Catrambone

Nightmare client

Merion Station, Pa.: Having gotten into bed with Mike Lindell of MyPillow, the firms of Parker Daniels Kibort and Lewin & Lewin LLP aren’t sleeping very well after he stiffed them on their legal fees. Paul L. Newman

Accurate accolade

Fort Lee: Recently, I was watching Fox News (yes, I know, I’m a glutton for punishment) and it was announced that Bill Richardson had died. Incredibly, the anchor said he was a good man! For once, Fox News said it right. Richardson was a true patriot! He served our nation so well as governor of New Mexico, secretary of energy and our ambassador to the UN. His last act of serving our country was trying to free Americans trapped in foreign lands. Richardson was a great American and people like him made America great. Gary Schwartz

God’s creatures

Moriches, L.I.: As the NYPD is cracking down on the illegal exhibition of wild animals, such as wallabies, boas and crocodiles, within city bounds, it was extremely disappointing to see many of these same animals being paraded into St. John the Divine on St. Francis’ Feast Day (“Noah’s Ark, New York City style,” Oct. 2). As a graduate of a Franciscan College, I know that parading dangerous — and likely terrified — wild animals into a church is the antithesis of the Franciscan message of love and stewardship of God’s creation. And as an anthrozoologist, I know that not only are lemurs, binturongs, crocodiles and other exotic animals illegal to possess within city bounds, but lemurs and crocodiles are illegal to keep as pets in the entire state. Next year, I hope St. John the Divine does a better job of honoring the patron saint of animals by setting a better example for New Yorkers. John Di Leonardo

Cruel crew

Easton, Pa.: Four thugs broke the jaw of a senior citizen in New York on Sunday. You’ve printed their pictures, but you describe the people who did this as having light and medium complexions. Why? Barbara Cusano

High drama

Manhattan: To fellow boxing fan Voicer John Macklin: Boxing has definitely seen better days, but great matches are around if the casuals want to step their levels up. I definitely agree that the Daily News could use some boxing coverage ASAP. Oh, and the Canelo Álvarez versus Jermell Charlo match was not even close to the fight of the year. By most opinions, that was probably the Terence Crawford victory over Errol Spence. Crawford didn’t just win, he was so dominant that it’s still being talked about when the December rematch is almost upon us. Edward Scott

Point scored?

Bayside: Tennis anyone? A guy glued his feet to the floor to make a point! Theresa Polese