Did they not help build the Mubarak...democracy? "Frank G. Wisner, a former top U.S. diplomat and onetime envoy to Egypt, said in a appearance at a think tank in Washington that he believed American funding for groups involved in Egyptian politics was unwise at a time post-revolutionary Egypt is in the throes of political upheaval. “Do we want to be busy on the ground with U.S.-funded political organizations in a period of disruptions?” Wisner told an audience at the Center for American Progress. “This is a moment for a time out in active use of U.S. institutions in Egyptian politics.” The U.S. government has long funded groups such as the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and Freedom House, which help fledgling overseas political parties, human rights and civic groups learn how to function a democratic system. The nongovernmental groups offer their help to all such groups, with a goal to helping build democratic institutions."