It should be argued we need to rediscover our past views on foreign affairs, and instead of rubber stamping aid or committing ourselves into alliances with countries, we actually take an objective view to the motives and interests involved in foreign affairs.

President George Washington made a point in his farewell address to the nation that “inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded.”

Washington, whom set up our presidency, which since has been perpetually torn apart to fit the motives of each politician since, wanted us to understand the dangers of essentially being controlled by other nations. We should have neither grudges nor strong alliances with any nation in particular, to ensure that we fight and engage in battle with only our own interests in mind. It is times such as these Washington had in mind when he wrote his elegant words more than 200 years ago. We are witnessing our own country fall apart and we continue to thrust our failing currency abroad into the hands of greedy world leaders.

There are two great examples currently in our foreign policy showing our overindulgence in foreign affairs.

Our recent infatuation with the affairs of Middle Eastern counties has helped lead us toward our current economic meltdown. Our continued funding to fight “terrorist” groups in the Middle East and our rubber-stamp funding of Israel are completely counter to Washington’s warning. We have found ourselves unable to fund our own programs such as Social Security and other overcommitments.

Although it can be agreed upon that those programs should not be funded because of philosophical beliefs, the money should not go into funding the Israeli government in their “conquests,” nor should it be used to destroy the entire Middle East in the name of freedom and safety.

I am not a left-wing activist who is claiming terrorists do not pose a threat, however, I do not believe we should completely inconvenience ourselves and ignore our interests for that cause.

Our overcommitment has led to our escalating debt, so much that we have been forced to borrow money from foreign nations, namely China. Now what has happened is that we are borrowing money for one foreign nation to give to another foreign nation.

Unlike a Robin Hood-like scenario, we actually are held accountable for the money we take. Many might not see an issue with this borrowing and loaning with foreign nations; however, we must recognize that the money we lend is not benefiting us in any significant way.

For example, the money we give to Israel is used at their discretion for its own ventures. There is still worry that Israel could attack Iran when they “perceive” a threat to exist, however, President Barack Obama has declared the U.S. has a dramatically different approach to Iran. If we do indeed plan to have a diplomatic approach to Iran, we should not be funding Israel to threaten Iran. By giving Israel funding, we essentially are at the whim of its foreign policy choices.

If we are to truly be free and economically sufficient, we will discontinue borrowing and funding foreign nations, especially when we cannot even pay for the programs our government has enacted.

Perhaps you will think of me as an isolationist, and attempt to discredit this in that way, but maybe it is your view that is actually discredited.

After all, the general public opinion is that we need to stay out of foreign wars and we need to lessen our spending. It only makes sense that we discontinue overextending ourselves when our direct interests aren’t even in play.

As Washington said, when we are free of foreign entanglements, “our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.” Without foreign entanglements, we are able to pursue our own interests without interaction with unnecessary foreign interests. Only then will we be truly free of influences from abroad.