New York Times

To the Editor:

Re “The Other Defense Budget” (editorial, Feb. 6):

Spending on weapons rose nearly 20 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, and President Bush’s 2008 budget demands even more money for exorbitantly priced and poorly performing weapons systems like the Air Force’s F-22 stealth fighter and the Virginia-class attack submarine.

But isn’t it time to provide a strong foundation for growth for the American people — not just for defense contractors?

Unfortunately for the American public, the President’s 2008 budget continues to sacrifice Social Security benefits for the extraordinarily expensive illusion of “national security.”

Congress should act on the growing national consensus demanding sensible budget priorities and block the administration’s attempts to defund important programs.

Ben Cohen
New York, Feb. 6, 2007

The writer, a co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and the founder of TrueMajority, is president of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.