Support the troops, not the nukes

Support the troops, not the nukes

The U.S. is projected to spend $640 billion over the next decade on nuclear weapons and programs suited for Cold War scenarios that are no longer plausible.

Meanwhile our troops in the field lack for basic protective equipment needed to defeat realistic 21st century threats faced today. The cost to build and operate one ballistic missile submarine is enough to provide body armor and bomb-resistant vehicles to every one of our troops plus house and treat the 67,000 homeless veterans we have.

Proposed upgrades to the 400 B-61 variable yield tactical nuclear bombs in the stockpile are now projected to cost $10 billion, $28 million per bomb or the equivalent of 1.5 times the bomb’s weight in gold, yet the B-61 has no military mission and is retained only for political purposes. It is no longer relevant to our defense.

As Congress struggles with the deficit we as responsible citizens have a duty to insist on reductions to wasteful spending that is overly driven by politicians and lobbyists instead of long-term 21st century defense strategies.

We need to meet the needs of our dedicated troops and veterans who have protected us. I support the troops, not the nukes. I urge you to write or call your representatives and senators to tell them to reduce spending on nuclear weapons.

Bob Farquhar

Villa Park