Military costs didn’t cause recession

In a recent letter, one of your readers stated the necessity of cutting the military budget. It is beyond comprehension that anyone might put forth that argument as a way to strengthen our national security and our national well-being. Whether one agrees or not with our actions in facing our self-professed enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11, one must acknowledge that it is prudent to have that military option. Examples follow:

In 1933, FDR appointed William Dodd ambassador to Germany. During his four years in Germany, Dodd witnessed evidence of Hitler’s anti-semitic policies and the buildup of the military. Dodd warned the State Department, but to no avail. Later, in 1937, when Germany marched on France, the German commanding officer carried with him a field letter from the Fuehrer himself directing withdrawal if they met with vigorous French resistance.

Now, Iran, in the midst of its own political discord, has a military that is posturing its nuclear capabilities and has indicated that it will not be a partner in the creation of an emergency hotline with the West.

Without a strong military we would never have had the ability to deploy troops as we did after 9/11. Furthermore, if those ideologies and nations that want to do us harm perceive us as weak and impotent, we will become ineffective in any world leadership capacity. Our current economic quagmire is not the result of a strong military. It is a result of irresponsible governance. We need leaders who are willing to risk popularity to grapple with the huge entitlement programs that have gotten away from us. We need leadership that is committed to the security and preparedness of our nation. Under the current administration, we do not have that leadership.

Jeri Monroe

Long Grove