The Topeka Capital-Journal

By Lt. General Robert G. Gard (U.S. Army, Ret.)

Today, perhaps more than ever, military personnel and politicians alike need to hear the perspectives of everyday Americans on national security and military issues. I'm not referring just to your views on the Iraq War, but also on broader security issues and military spending.

Here's the reason. America's security is facing serious challenges, not only on the battlefields of Iraq, but on the budget sheets in Washington, D.C. With record budget deficits, our country cannot afford to ignore basic fiscal questions: How do we divide scarce federal resources between the military and other programs that play a huge role in the security of our nation, such as funding for renewable energy for example?

In other words, are we spending more than necessary on the Pentagon, at a time when so many other federal programs, including those that are integral to the long-term security of our nation, are being shortchanged? Is it not time to cut spending for defense programs that aren't needed?
Too often, America's leaders shirk their responsibility even to debate defense issues until a crisis is spiraling out of control, as is obviously the case in Iraq today. The reason our leaders are so reluctant to dive into debates about national security is as obvious as it is ironic.

They're scared.

While we demand unimaginable bravery from our men and women in the military, our Beltway leaders-Republican and Democrat-can't find the courage to debate the tough issues confronting America's security.

Many politicians worry that even their most timid questioning of defense spending, like asking why America continues to fund fighter jets designed to combat non-existent Soviet aircraft, might come back to haunt them in their next election campaign.

You've seen this: TV ads that accuse candidates of promoting cuts in "defense spending," as if it's wrong to question any aspect of an overall defense budget that approaches $600 billion. On top of this, it's well established that defense contractor lobbyists, with the support of defense industry workers across the country, exert enormous pressure on lawmakers, keeping them silent even if their instincts and conscience tell them to be outspoken. President Dwight D. Eisenhower left out "Congress" in warning about the "Military Industrial Complex."

Against this backdrop, everyday Americans need to raise their voices on this issue.

Please do let all your elected representatives and all aspiring presidential candidates and their surrogates know that you think it's not only OK to challenge non-essential Pentagon spending, it's honorable and patriotic.

A Senior Military Fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.) served 31 years in the U.S. Army and is on the Military Advisory Committee of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, for whom this was written. www.bslp.org