1. Contrary to the impression left in my earlier post, direct economic aid to Israel was ended in fiscal 2008. Only loan guarantees, subject to extension this year, and military aid remain. I’ve updated the post and regret the error.

2. It’s really not that uncommon to hear foreign aid described as welfare. Thomas Sowell does it here. Here’s Doug Bandow on this site, using it in the context of paying for the defense of wealthy allies in Europe. Maybe it is inevitable that Rand Paul will be judged by things his father has said because their  family ties and philosophical commonalities are important reasons the younger Paul is in the U.S. Senate. But if the outcry is based on things only Rand Paul has said, there isn’t much more to it so far than the use of the word “welfare.”