Protecting country the highest priority

Right now, Iran, Korea, al-Qaida and others are working feverishly to develop or increase their ability to attack us with nuclear weapons.

Iran has just launched a satellite, proving its ability to deliver nuclear weapons when they are ready, and Korea continues to expand its nuclear capacity. Pakistan has nuclear weapons, which are at risk of falling into al-Qaida's hands because of the fragile nature of their government.

And they all have demonstrated irrationality, ruthlessness and a willingness to use horrific violence because of their hatred for the United States and the West because they oppose democracy.

We are fortunate in that we have a working missile defense system (thanks President Reagan!) that is improving every year and has reached a 70 percent-plus success rate. In fact, NATO is so impressed with our system it has twice approved the United States' offer to protect Europe with our missile defense system and plans to pursue its own missile defense system.

Yet there is some talk within the current Obama administration to reduce or eliminate the missile defense system from our budget. That system is the only thing that would stand between our cities and those irrational enemies.

Let's keep our priorities straight. Jobs, education and health care are obviously important, but they don't matter if you are dead.

Randy Rossi

Grayslake