The United States and other Western countries that pay the bulk of the organization's expenses have precious little say over what the General Assembly or the corrupt and ill-managed U.N. bureaucracy does. They would have nearly no input if the United Nations had its own source of funds. The proposed taxing authority is one of several ideas advanced by those who want the United Nations to become more powerful. Other prominent schemes include creating a standing army, which the Security Council could use for peacekeeping and nation-building missions, and diluting or ending the veto power used by the United States and other permanent members of the Security Council. Officials of the United States should put the United Nations and its enthusiastic boosters on notice that pushing such changes will endanger American support for the organization.
Some conservatives advocate U.S. withdrawal from the world body.
That step is premature. The United Nations has achieved some positive results. It helped facilitate the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, orchestrated the transition to democracy in Namibia, and helped effect a reconciliation between warring factions in El Salvador. Also, it is a good idea to have a place where governments can gather to air grievances. At the same time, the extent of the United Nations' value must be kept in perspective.