Foreign aid is an investment in ourselves
Jan. 29 was supposed to be the day the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 funding. However, like with many bills in Congress, senators could not agree, which ultimately triggered a partial shutdown. Among all that is currently going on in our country, it seems like our budget should be the last thing we’re focused on, but this funding will cover the programs for the upcoming months and in turn will create lasting impacts for years to come.
One of the proposed budget changes for FY26 includes the International Affairs Budget. Many believe too much of our spending is going to foreign aid. However, though a large number of Americans believe that 25% of our budget goes towards foreign causes, in reality it’s less than 1%.
According to the U.S. Global Leadership Forum, Congress is planning on cutting the already slim budget from last year by 16%, which affects Americans more than one would expect. I’m glad to see that the article “With $48M in philanthropic backing, a division of USAID relaunches as nonprofit” (Feb. 6) highlights the importance of USAID and foreign assistance. Cutting the International Affairs Budget (which includes USAID) weakens our global leadership and can leave preventable crises to become a problem later on. By granting these funds to the budget, it’s not a donation to charity, but an investment.
— Bianca Filoni, Winter Garden
The beauty of Bad Bunny’s message
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show captured the heart of Hispanic culture and language.
Our culturally egocentric view hinders our realization that “American” applies to all who live in North, Central and South America. This celebration of America was the most authentic in the Super Bowl’s 60-year history.
The blending of ages, vibrations, rich colors and the rhythmic beat captured the spirit of America.
Becoming part of a vibrant community and celebrating love is the good life. Remembering love, old and new, is restorative. Having the famous and the little-known share the same space is democratic.
We recently sat shiva for a dear friend who had asked to be memorialized by the sound of a steel band. The combination of Jewish tradition and Latin music was heavenly.
To witness love and not fear, beauty and not hatred, and dance in harmony to familiar sounds, captured the distinctive character of the place we call home.
— Philip Beasley, Plantation
‘Student-athlete’ is a misnomer
FSU athletic director Michael Alford recently sent a letter to the school’s football boosters. It included a statement that didn’t ring true. “Florida State Athletics exists to change lives by developing student-athletes, academically, personally and competitively, while upholding the values that define being a Seminole.”
If Seminoles boosters or the tribe writ large still believes that its football and basketball squads are in reality “student-athletes,” they are living in a fictional world. The concept of a player wanting a college education in exchange for a fully funded “scholarship” that paid tuition, room, board, fees and books along with health care, has been converted to a “pay me to play” business relationship that makes the player either an employee or (professional) independent contractor. An education is practically irrelevant. When was the last time we were told that a player was academically ineligible to play? FSU, Florida, UCF and especially “the U” must fess up and stop pushing the lie because we aren’t buying it.
— David Kahn, Boca Raton
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