Cash-strapped Uncle Sam should take a hard look at the foreign aid program. This is a complex issue, but a report to Congress by the Congressional Research Service, dated Jan. 2, 2008, is illuminating.

When our road, sewer and water supply systems are crumbling, we are giving billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars to countries that don't need or appreciate our generosity.

Based on President Carter's 1979 promises at Camp David to give Israel and Egypt money if they wouldn't fight, Israel has received an average of $3 billion a year of our money, while Egypt has been getting $1.3 billion annually.

In addition, Israel annually receives $1.2 billion in economic aid and $1.8 billion in military aid for a total of about $6 billion.

Israel now has a prosperous, vibrant economy and is ranked as the 16th-wealthiest nation. Thanks to the United States, it is also the most powerful military force in the region.

Israel regularly benefits from U.S. military research; has F-16 fighters, cluster and bunker-buster bombs and Apache helicopters; and will receive F-5 Joint Strike fighters when they become available. These have been supplied to Israel by the United States at no cost.

The Oil Supplies Guarantee states that if Israel's oil is cut off for any reason, the United States will provide Israel with oil regardless of our own supply levels.

Other countries on our foreign aid list include Colombia, Jordan, Pakistan, Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, Bolivia, Ukraine, India, Haiti, Ethiopia and (believe it or not) Russia.

One big problem with shelling out our dollars is that much of the money enriches corrupt politicians who resist being told how to spend because that impinges on their sovereignty. Many of them hate the United States.

Earle Hightower

Pinehurst