I urge you to increase the United States' current $71 million commitment to
emergency aid to flood victims in Pakistan.  The flooding presents not only
a grave humanitarian situation but also a strategic opportunity for the United
States: as you know, militant organisations already have already responded
with aid to flood victims, filling the breach left by an ineffectual Pakistani
government.  In the absence of any similar levels of aid and presence from
the United States and other western democracies, the resulting public goodwill
towards the militants will bode ill for the United States' prospects to
confront Taliban extremism in neighbouring Afghanistan.  Humanitarian aid
is cheaper than missiles, and much more effective in the long run.  This
is an opportunity that justifies deficit spending, not only to confront a
humanitarian emergency but also to generate long-term goodwill towards the
West amongst the Pakistani people.