Letter: Is feeding Pentagon the way to security?

Our U.S. Senators and Representatives are debating our nation's federal budget. There is much to praise in the President's budget proposal and some that is disappointing. Our elected officials need to decide which things are essential and which are not.

Like any family making a budget, decisions get made based on values and priorities. However, unlike those of us who are economically privileged enough to make a budget; millions of our fellow citizens can't because they are forced to live day-to-day struggles for survival.

Recent history, from Vietnam to Ukraine, teaches us overwhelming firepower is no longer determinant in resolving armed conflicts. And yet, year after year we keep throwing money at the Pentagon and expecting different results.

We need a new understanding of national security and how best to achieve it. What will make our nation more secure; increasing funding for public housing and housing vouchers to $70 billion or spending over $50 billion to develop and produce more nuclear weapons to add to the 5,550 we already have?

Let our senators and representatives know what constitutes real national security for Illinois.

Tom Cordaro

Aurora