Trump’s proposed Pentagon budget is a staggering waste of tax dollars | Opinion

Pentagon budget is ‘staggering’ hike

The Department of War’s $1.5 trillion budget request for FY 2027 is a staggering escalation that threatens our national stability more than any foreign adversary. This proposal represents a 42% increase over previous levels, pushing our military spending toward an unprecedented “generational investment” that we simply cannot afford.

To put this in perspective, current U.S. defense spending already exceeds the combined budgets of the next nine largest spenders — including China, Russia and India. China’s defense budget is about $300 billion. Doubling down on this disparity while our own infrastructure and social systems crumble is a policy of self-sabotage.

Every billion added to the “Golden Dome” or the “Trump-class battleship” is a billion stripped from our schools, our healthcare system and the rising costs of housing.

We are told this secures “peace through strength,” but there is no strength in a nation that outspends the world on munitions while its own citizens struggle with basic domestic needs.

It is time to prioritize the security of the American people at home. We must reject this $1.5 trillion request and reinvest in the actual foundations of our country: education, health and a sustainable economy.

Edwin Frost, Kennewick

Politicians who lie should get booted

“Any politician, that stands in front of you and lies about the security of our voting, should be ineligible for election.”

That’s the voice of reason, and it comes from John Duresky from a recent candidates forum. You can view the recording on the Facebook page John Duresky for Congress.

At a time when trust in our democratic institutions is being tested, repeating unfounded claims about election insecurity does real harm. It undermines confidence, divides communities and distracts from the real work of governing. The facts are clear: investigations, audits and court rulings following the 2020 United States presidential election — including reviews by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — found no evidence of widespread fraud.

Promoting conspiracy theories without evidence isn’t leadership — it’s a strategy to gain attention and appeal to fear.

John Duresky has spent his 37-year career in the Air Force and Civil Service. His priorities include protecting working families and small businesses, affordable healthcare, defending voting rights, supporting agriculture and ensuring government works for people — not special interests.

Central Washington deserves representation grounded in facts, not fiction.

A vote for John Duresky is a vote for soundly reasoned leadership and service.

Meghan Anderson, Ellensburg

GOP legislators don’t revere land

Republican lawmakers seem hell-bent on selling off or giving away public land in Washington State — land that regular Washingtonians cherish for hiking, hunting, fishing, camping and more.

Example: Utah Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced legislation to sell over 200 million publicly owned acres — including 5.4 million acres right here in Washington — in the Olympic, Gifford Pinchot, Snoqualmie, Okanogan and Mt. Baker National Forests. Lee and his Republican pals also thought it would be great to carve up the beloved Alpine Lakes and Wild Sky Wilderness areas. There’s only one word for what Republicans have in mind: theft.

Republicans, who used to fight for our National Parks, wilderness areas and other public spaces, now seem intent on liquidating these treasures as quickly as possible — selling them off to billionaires and developers while starving agencies (like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service) chartered with protecting them.

So, you are concerned about the climate crisis and aren’t sure what to so about it.

Know that you are not alone. Also know that climate movement needs you, it needs everyone, to do everything we can to address this crisis.

• Learn more about how our world is warming; the causes, consequences and actions that need to be taken to stop it. Start by visiting NASA’s website on climate.
• Talk about it, a lot, with friends, family, neighbors, everybody and anybody.
• Get involved; join a climate group or two. Ask how you can help. You undoubtedly have the skills they need. If you have money to donate, they could benefit from that too.
• Get political; take to the streets, contact elected officials, repeatedly, at all levels of government and demand that they take action to address this crisis. They were elected to serve the people, and there is no higher service than protecting the world we live in.
• Walk the talk; take steps to reduce your emissions. It is very gratifying. Pace yourself. Have hope.

Ron Sadler, Kennewick

Wealth Inequality

Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace.

Federal income tax rates for the top earners in 1965 were 70%. Today the top federal rate is 37%, and the top corporate rate is 21%, a decrease from over 50% in the 1960s.

Extreme inequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. A healthy economy depends on a strong middle class, fair wages, affordable education and equal opportunity.

We should support policies that strengthen workers, ensure fair taxation, expand access to healthcare and education, and create economic opportunity for everyone, not just those at the top.

America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly. It is time to address wealth inequality before the divide grows even larger.

Please reach out to your elected officials and ask them increase taxation of the rich so it will be more equitable for all Americans and help pay down our massive Federal debt.

Jon Miller, Kennewick