Military buildup is dangerous, unjustified

When will the American people wake up from their malaise and realize that the massive buildup of troops and war ships in the Caribbean is dangerous and without justification?

Currently there are 6,000 Marines and sailors waiting near the coast of Venezuela for military action. Steaming toward them is our largest aircraft carrier with 4,500 more troops and deadly F35 fighter jets. This military activity is under the pretense that Venezuela is allowing the flow of dangerous drugs out of their country.

The president has decided single-handedly to blow up small boats leaving Venezuela and promising that a land invasion is next. Incredibly for us, the president has charged that Venezuela’s Maduro should be deposed for repressing his political opponents and abusing democratic policies.

When Congress asked the president for a briefing on destroying the small boats, he did so but only invited Republicans.

If the president is concerned with drug deaths, why did he slash funding by $345 million to programs intended to reduce overdoses and addiction. This in addition to drastic cuts to Medicaid — the biggest source of addiction treatment funding. You would think that drug confiscation at the border and freight handling would be a first priority to save lives.

Could this military effort escalate? Yes. Just imagine that with Russian help, Maduro could justifiably launch a missile into our aircraft carrier. Would that be enough to get Congress to muzzle our president?

Roger Parlett

Huntley