Letter: U.S. spends too much on defense

Friday, Nov. 19, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

The Cold War ended during President Reagan's term in office, but our spending on defense weapons remains at record levels. No country in the world offers a military threat to us. Our Navy and Air Force are stronger than all the world's navies and air forces combined, yet we continue to arm ourselves at breakneck speed.

Why is this? Why should we be spending ourselves into oblivion when there is no military threat to us?

I believe that Congress keeps up this wasteful spending for the jobs it creates for their constituents. Responsible members of Congress should take this problem out of their hands by setting up a commission, similar to the nonpartisan base-closing commission, which would go over our defense spending and limit purchases to necessary items.

RICHARD J. MUNDY

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