Press of Atlantic City

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/7518635p-7418190c.html

War spending hurts Americans

President Bush says we can expect a long war against Islamic extremists, yet we are presented with tax cuts. He does not ask us to sacrifice, ration or buy war bonds; go shopping instead, he says. Soldiers are not drafted like generations in previous conflicts but enticed by huge bonuses and educational opportunities - promises often broken.

Tasks that used to be performed by GIs are now performed by contractors at several times the cost. Privatization of noncombat services lead to loss of government control, contractor accountability and the unexplained disappearance of billions of taxpayer dollars. Simply put, the goal of business is to make a profit, not win a war.

To date, Bush has spent about $500 billion in Iraq and wants $200 billion more. While he spares no expense for the war in Iraq, his cuts to programs at home are hurting Americans. Remember the New Orleans dike failure, the Sego mine disaster and the Interstate 35W bridge collapse - all are associated programs that had sustained repeated cuts. More recently, Bush vetoed children's health insurance and waterway infrastructure with the potential of hurting even more Americans. Either program could have been paid for by the $40 billion increase in the 2008 military budget.

NICK REINA